European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development

WWW.ENPARD.GE

… to promote inclusive and sustainable growth and development, creating employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded …to help build the resilience of vulnerable people in remote regions and to promote the economic and social empowerment of rural women ENPARD in

• Programme Goal: ➢To increase food production and reduce rural poverty.

• Objectives: ➢ Support institutions involved in agriculture to improve their efficiency and implementation of reforms in the sector (Ministry and its line agencies).

➢Increase competitiveness of agriculture (Farmers, cooperatives, extension systems, access to financing, development of agricultural value chains, etc.).

➢Rural development through diversification of economic activities in rural areas, creation of jobs and services (Development of economic activities beyond agriculture). ENPARD in Georgia ENPARD in Georgia

EU support mechanisms

Direct Budget Support Complementary support: (Government of Georgia) Technical & Grant Assistance

(In partnership with UN Agencies, international and local non- government organizations)

4 Key Results in 2013-2018 (ENPARD Phase I and II)

5 Results: Support to Institutions Involved in Agriculture

• Three strategic policy documents, crucial for the development of the sector, were drafted and are being implemented: ➢ Strategy of Agricultural Development of Georgia 2015-2020 ➢ Strategy for Rural Development of Georgia 2017-2020 ➢ Strategy for Agricultural Extension of Georgia 2018-2019

• Policy Analysis Department was established within the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA). • Monitoring and Evaluation System development within MEPA. • Information System of Food Market Prices was established within MEPA. • State support and aid programmes were designed and implemented. • 59 Information and Consultation Centers were created in different regions of Georgia. These centers have provided services to estimate 300,000 people nationwide. • Over 400 employees of MEPA were trained. • First National Census of Agricultural was carried out by GEOSTAT. Strengthening Cooperation Among Small Farmers

• Law of Georgia on Agricultural Cooperatives was adopted.

• Agricultural Cooperatives Development Agency (ACDA) was established, which now functions effectively in support of farmer cooperatives across Georgia.

• About 1,500 agricultural cooperatives uniting over 15,000 farmers have been established and registered in ACDA agricultural cooperatives database.

• Over 1,000 agricultural cooperatives supported with over GEL 6 million grants through the state aid programmes.

• Over 280 cooperatives received direct funding and technical assistance with over GEL 12 million.

• Over 8,000 farmers, members of cooperatives, were trained in business management and technical areas of the sector. Rural Development

In the framework of EU-funded pilot municipal projects, European model of rural development (LEADER approach) is implemented in 8 municipalities of Georgia: 1. 5. Tetritskaro 2. Kazbegi 6. 3. Lagodekhi 7. 4. Dedoplistskaro 8. Keda

Goal: To promote the European LEADER approach adapted to Georgian context to rural development ➢ Support to the growth and diversification of local economies; ➢ Development of economic activities in rural areas beyond agriculture; ➢ Development of social and public services; ➢ Development of rural areas with the participation of local stakeholders; ➢ Support to the sustainable management of natural resources; ➢ Protection and enhancement of natural and cultural heritage. Rural Development

Key components of the pilot rural development projects:

• Establishment of Local Development Groups (LAG) (Collaboration of private sector, civil society (at least 51%) and local government)

• Elaboration and implementation of Local Development Strategies (municipal study, identification of problems, definition of priority development areas)

• Announcement of EU-funded grant competitions in municipalities, selection and funding of competing initiatives. Rural Development

Grant applications shall be consistent Grant Programmes are open to all with the priority areas as defined by interested local stakehodlers Local Development Strategies

• Private persons • Economic activity / business development / • Local farmers and entrepreneurs startups • Local businesses • Innovative and competitive agriculture • Civil society / NGOs • Rural infrastructure • Local authorities • Culture, sport, recreation • Environment protection, adaptation to climate change, risk reduction • Initiatives in support of women, youth and people with disabilities Rural Development

• Local Action Groups (LAGs) established and Local Development Strategies (LDS) developed within the pilot rural development projects in 8 municipalities in Georgia.

• With the first three pilot rural development projects in Lagodekhi, Borjomi and Kazbegi, EU has so far funded 122 local business initiatives.

• The areas include: agriculture, tourism, social and rural infrastructure, environment, etc.

• The EU-funded initiatives have provided better employment to over 700 rural households, and improved living conditions of over 8,000 rural population. ENPARD in Georgia

12 ENPARD Phase III (2018-2022)

Budget: € 77.5 million ✓Budget Support – € 44,5 million ✓Technical and Grant Assistance - € 30 million

Components: ➢ Further support to rural development projects and initiatives in Georgia, including AR (rural infrastructure, services, social and economic development, agriculture, environment, tourism) + CfP for RD projects (, , , Samegrelo- Zemo Svaneti) with the focus of socio-economic integration of vulnerable groups (high- mountainous regions, IDPs, eco-migrants, ethnic minorities).

➢ Enhancing competitiveness of agriculture (including support for investments in support of value chain development)

➢ Improved environment, sustainable management of natural resources and climate action ENPARD Phase IV

• May be prioritized by EU and Government of Georgia • May consider expanding the RD model in EU focal regions

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