პანკისის სათემო კავშირები
PANKISI COMMUNITY LINKS
USAID PANKISI COMMUNITY
LINKS ACTIVITY IN GEORGIA
QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY 2020
JULY 30, 2020
This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency of International Development. It was prepared by Chemonics International Inc.
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 1 USAID PANKISI COMMUNITY LINKS ACTIVITY IN GEORGIA
QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY 2020
Cooperative Agreement No. 7201I418CA0000I
Cover photo: USAID Pankisi Community Links' Akhmeta Office reopening in full compliance with the new healthcare regulations / June 11, 2020
DISCLAIMER
The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States government
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 2
ACRONYMS
B2B Business to Business CPGP Community Projects Grants Program FY Fiscal Year GSCD Georgian Center for Strategy and Development JAG Junior Achievement Georgia KRDF Kakheti Regional Development Center LoP Life of Project NGO Non-governmental organization MEG Multifarious and Equal Georgia MOU Memorandum of Understanding MSPA Municipal Service Providers' Association MSMEs Micro, Small, Medium-sized Enterprises PYC Pankisi Youth Center RFA Request for Application RFP Request for Proposal RSF Roddy Scott Foundation Georgia SVCGP Small Value Chain Grant Program USAID United State Agency for International Development USG United States Government YA Youth Alliance YCC Youth Center for Civil Development YFD Youth for Pankisi Development YTD Year to date
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Executive Summary ...... 5 Pankisi Community Links Purpose-Level Indicators...... 7 Activity Implementation Progress...... 8 Implemented Activities...... 9
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This quarterly report summarizes the accomplishments of the USAID Pankisi Community Links Activity in Georgia (hereinafter referred to as Pankisi Community Links or the project) during the third quarter of FY 2020 (April 01, 2020 – June 30, 2020). During the quarter, the project carried out the following activities:
Community Projects Grants Program, Lots 1-4: Pankisi Community Links announced the second round of the program and selected 4 grantees: Kakheti Regional Development Foundation (KRDF), Roddy Scott Foundation, Council of Elders, and Council of Elder Women. These four organizations are implementing eight projects. The awarded grants fall under four lots: awareness campaigns, community projects reflecting local priorities, cultural/educational exchanges, and youth internships.
Community Projects Grants Program, Lot 5 : Pankisi Community Links added Advocacy Campaigns as Lot 5 of the program, which supports individuals (youth and women, specifically) and/or organizations to plan and implement joint actions with the involvement of self-governing and municipal authorities to improve the local community’s trust in the government while addressing common issues. Kakheti Regional Development Foundation (KRDF) was selected for the implementation of this program.
Small Grants Program to Link Pankisi Enterprises to External Value Chains: Pankisi Community Links announced the second round of the program and received 111 applications, of which 17 applications have been selected and submitted to USAID for approval.
Business Development Services to Pankisi Community Links Grant Recipients: Georgian Municipal Service Providers’ Association (MSPA) delivered online training sessions for the project’s Small and Linkage Program grantees.
Business to Business Activity: Youth Center for Civil Development (YCCD) has finished all planned activities. YCCD representatives visited Pankisi and conducted several roundtables; They organized internal buyers trip, two tours for hotels and guesthouse owners, a fair of local produce and brought in potential buyers not only from Kakheti, but from other regions of Georgia, and four online
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 5 meetings to assist local producers to better understand local and international market demand for their products.
Grants Program to Encourage Linkages between External Value Chains and Pankisi Enterprises: Pankisi Community Links announced the second round of the program and received 11 applications, of which 8 applications were selected, and will be submitted to USAID for approval.
Business Skills in Education Curriculum: This quarter, Junior Achievement Georgia (JAG) implemented the second round of “Teaching Basic Business Concepts in Pankisi schools” activity, leading online trainings for teachers, delivering online program materials, and recruiting and engaging private sector volunteers in the program. The volunteers shared their own career experiences with students to inspire them and show them what successful careers can look like. At the completion of the grant, JAG organized a student competition for best business idea.
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 6 Progress Against Indicators
Pankisi Community Links results against Purpose-Level indicators are summarized in Table 1 below. Please refer to the Performance Management Plan for a complete list of expected results.
Table 1: Pankisi Community Links Purpose-Level Indicators
Pankisi Community Links Activity in Georgia Purpose-Level Indicators
No. INDICATORS LoP FY 2020 FY YTD % of FY Cumulative % of LoP TARGET TARGET 2020 2020 Total TARGET RESULTS TARGET 1 Number of USG supported events, 48 20 20 100% 46 96% trainings, or activities designed to build support for peace or reconciliation among key actors to the conflict; 2 Number of people participating in USG- 750 300 169 56.3% 445 59.3% supported events, trainings, or activities designed to build mass support for peace and reconciliation; 3 Percentage of Pankisi residents reached 60% 30% 30% 100% 30% 50% through awareness campaigns; 4 Number of organizations, receiving 55 25 9 36 % 50 90.9% USG-assistance; 5 # of Pankisi youth interacting with non- 90 30 15 50% 105 116.7% Pankisi youth; 6 Percentage change in perception of TBD TBD N/A N/A N/A N/A "other", based on pre- and post-activity perception surveys; 7 Number of business plans supported as a 45 20 10 50% 46 102.2% result of USG assistance; 8 Number of individuals who received 90 40 9 0% 0 0% USG supported short-term agricultural sector productivity training 9 Number of market linkages established 15 5 0 0% 5 33% through USG Assistance; 10 Number of new market referrals 50 20 10 50% 10 20% established through USG assistance; 11 Number of youths enrolled in vocational 450 150 146 97.3% 316 70% or other training; 12 Number of teacher/educators/teaching 30 10 7 70% 45 150% assistants who received intensive coaching or mentoring with USG support 13 Percent of students demonstrating 75% 75% N/A N/A 75 100% increased understanding of basic business concepts after completion of USG supported training/education; 14 # of private sector volunteers engaged in 24 8 12 150% 20 83.3% delivery of business skills program.
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 7 ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS
BACKGROUND
In many ways, Pankisi Valley residents occupy a distinct and parallel political, social, economic, and geographic space to that of the rest of Georgia. Surrounded to the north, west, and east by uninhabited mountains and forests, their only physical connection to the rest of Georgia is through the town of Akhmeta.
Most Pankisi residents are Kists, whose Muslim religion separates them from the predominantly Orthodox Christian populations in the rest of Georgia. Other residents, particularly in Sakobiano, are Pshavi — are nominally Orthodox Christian with some pre-Christian traditions — or displaced Ossetians. The valley’s residents are engaged primarily in subsistence agriculture, and many depend on remittances for their livelihoods. Pankisi Kists have upheld a traditional and informal judicial and governance system led by an all-male Council of Elders rather than Georgian local governance structures. The area is known for being culturally closed, and notably few residents leave to pursue economic opportunities beyond their home communities. The nature of Pankisi’s physical isolation and cultural particularities, coupled with lack of economic opportunities, has increased the area’s vulnerability to sources of conflict and the spread of radical ideologies.
Pankisi Community Links Activity is a three-year program designed to diminish the valley’s cultural and economic isolation by bringing people together – both within Pankisi and with other areas of Georgia – around economic and social incentives. Pankisi Community Links’ implementation approach centers on forging linkages across age groups and religious affiliations within Pankisi and connecting Pankisi citizens to the rest of Georgia through economic and social opportunities. The resulting interactions will help create a more cohesive society within Pankisi and help to bridge the divide between Pankisi and surrounding areas, making the area more resistant to conflict.
Pankisi Community Links will promote economic and social linkages between Pankisi residents and the rest of Georgia through the following activities: (1) engaging community actors, particularly youth and women’s groups, in inclusive, iterative, and collaborative problem-solving to empower them to drive positive change and participate in decision-making that affects their social and economic well-being; and (2) linking entrepreneurs both within Pankisi and to those based outside the valley; and (3) linking
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 8 Pankisi youth to non-Pankisi youth while enhancing their civic-mindedness, business skills, and employability. To ensure local ownership, Pankisi Community Links will work with and through local organizations such as the Council of Elders, Women’s Council, and the recently-formed People’s Assembly and Youth Council, while building their organizational and technical capacity to help them better address the needs of the local communities. Pankisi Community Links aims to empower all members of a community through a gender-balanced approach and will integrate gender analysis and considerations throughout its activities.
ACTIVITIES
The following sections provide updates on all activities that are under implementation during the third quarter of FY 2020. The report summarizes activities in detail, describes impact and results of each activity, and indicates the next steps to be taken during the fourth quarter of FY 2020.
Component 1: Build Social Cohesion and Address Drivers of Tensions Within Pankisi Communities Task 1.2: Community Projects Grants Program for awareness campaigns, community projects, exchanges, and internships Pankisi Community Links selected four Pankisi NGOs to implement the Community Projects Grants Program: Kakheti Regional Development Foundation (KRDF), Roddy Scott Foundation (RSF), Elderlies’ Council, and Elderly Women’s Council.
The eight projects being implemented are the following:
1) Kakheti Regional Development Foundation Project #1: Promoting Women's Professional Development Project #2: Educational courses for Pankisi Youth Project #3: Supporting Employment Opportunities in Pankisi Gorge Results/Updates Project #4: Folk Dance and Song Courses in Pankisi Gorge (was retitled as: Courses about Art and Culture for Pankisi Gorge Youth) Project #5: Improvement of Professional Skills for Pankisi Women and Girls
2) Elderlies’ Council Project #8: Pankisi, Reality and Challenges and Ways of Solution
3) Council of Elder Women
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 9 Project #9: Raising Women's Awareness and Promoting Their Integration into Public Life
4) Roddy Scott Foundation Project #11: Bloggers Club
All projects mentioned above are currently being implemented online due to new health regulations of COVID 19 pandemic. The project is closely monitoring implementation of the projects.
-No challenges observed Challenges
-Complete the program Next Steps
Task 1.2: Community Project Grants Program for advocacy campaigns On March 12, 2020, the project’s Selection Committee awarded a grant to Kakheti Regional Development Foundation under Lot 5 of the Community Project Grants Program. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia, Pankisi Community Links decided to shift the program to be
Results/Updates
implemented online. To account for this change, KRDF updated the proposal, adjusted the budget, and resent it to the project for approval. After reviewing the updated application, the project approved the grant. The grantee set up a youth advocacy support group called the
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 10 Youth Alliance, consisting of 15 Pankisi and Non-Pankisi youth to provide them with skills in advocacy and awareness-raising efforts. A series of joint activities will be organized for the Youth Alliance to engage youth from the Pankisi Gorge and from the rest of Georgia.
Members attend an online meeting of the Youth Alliance
Specifically, five online trainings will also be conducted in: 1. Effective communication and integration; 2. Advocacy 3. Social media 4. Conflict psychology. 5. Effective group formation and principals of teamwork.
Challenges -No challenges observed
Next Steps -Sign MOU with municipality and conduct training sessions
Task 1.3: Capacity Building of Pankisi-based NGOs
Activity 1.3.1: Strengthen Pankisi-based NGOs
Pankisi Community Links issued a solicitation for the second round of the NGO Capacity Building program on May 27, 2020, resulting in the submission of six proposals. The selected subcontractor will provide intensive training courses for Pankisi NGOs in financial and asset management, procurement, human resource management, report and proposal writing, and monitoring and evaluation. The training courses are designed for the technical leadership of the Pankisi NGOs. In total, twelve professionals will be trained in Q4 of FY 2020. Results/Updates
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 11
Challenges -No challenges observed
-Select the subcontractor and implement the program Next Steps
COMPONENT 2: Link Pankisi Entrepreneurs and Youth to Greater Georgia Through Economic and Social Interaction Task 2.2: Set up small grants program to link Pankisi enterprises to external value chains
Pankisi Community Links issued a Request for Application for its second round of the Small Grant Program (SGP) on April 15, 2020. By the deadline of May 15, 2020, 111 proposals were received. The Results/Updates project selected the following 17 applicants:
# Name of Applicant Activity Title 1 Makhmad Tsikhesahvili Wood processing and sales 2 Mountain hiking tourism Abo Atchishvili equipment 3 Development of beekeeping in Mukhmad Kavtarashvili Koreti 4 Mansur Margoshvili Guest house upgrade 5 Tamaz Baghakashvili electric mill 6 Tengiz Kulalashvili Rototiller for berry farming 7 Luiza Mutoshvili Guesthouse upgrade 8 Maia Gamiashvili Poultry (chicken incubator) 9 Islam Margoshvili Poultry (chicken incubator) 10 Tamari Tsintsalashvili Poultry (chicken incubator) 11 Nazy Dakishvili Gastronomy tourism 12 Zurab Machalikashvili Development of berry crops 13 Manana Tsatiashvili Dry fruit production 14 Muradi Kavtarashvili Greenhouse farming 15 Tamar Alkhanashvili Strawberry greenhouse 16 Poultry development in the Lali Kistashvili village of Kvareltskali 17 Nona Mutoshvili Guesthouse upgrade in Birkiani
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 12 On June 24, 2020, the project sent the approval request for these 17 grants to USAID.
Challenges -No challenges observed Next Steps -Receive approval and implement the program
Task 2.2: Set up small grants program to link Pankisi enterprises to external value chains Activity 2.2.3: Provide advisory business services
MSPA delivered 10 online training sessions for the project’s 36 small and linkage grantees. The trainings covered the following topics:
• Registration, dealing with registration, taxation and associated Results/Updates: policies and issues; • Small business management training where grantees learn how to properly plan their finances and set prices that offer optimal profit margins for survival and growth; • Business plan writing training for improvement of fundraising skills, where grantees learn how to secure funding from other sources; • Health and safety training, including safety requirements working with mechanization, technical conditions of machines and safety requirements during operation; and
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 13 • Food safety trainings for guesthouses and MSMEs involved in food chains, specifically on sanitary hygienic norms/standards in food chain units and potential risks of foodborne diseases.
After these training sessions, online consultations were held for the training participants. The objective of the consultations was to assist project beneficiaries to apply the knowledge obtained at the training sessions in practice and develop solutions tailored to the needs and challenges they face in operating small businesses.
The original plan for delivering the consultations was to do site visits in Pankisi and hold the consultations and discussions on location. Due to the restrictions raised by COVID-19, the consultations were delivered by phone and remote platforms.
Screenshot of a training on creating a safe work environment
Challenges: -No challenges observed
-Extend MSPA’s contract to implement the second round of the Next Steps: program.
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 14 Task 2.3: Facilitate business linkages and promote economies of scale Activity 2.3.1: Select business-to-business (B2B) partner
Results/Updates:
The Youth Center for Civil Development (YCCD) completed four online meetings and consultations between: • local dry fruit producers, farmers, and representatives of major distribution companies and wholesalers; • local beekeepers, beekeeping enterprises, beekeeping associations, and major supermarket representatives; • local greenhouse owners, local vegetable and chestnut producers, greenhouse farm representatives, and representatives of supermarkets; and • local beer producers and beer distribution companies and wholesalers.
A virtual consultation in action
Challenges -No challenges observed
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 15
Next Steps -Announce the second round of the program.
Task 2.4: Set up small grants program to encourage linkages between external value chains and Pankisi enterprises Activity 2.4.2: Award market linkage grants
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 16 On April 15, 2020, Pankisi Community Links issued the Request for Application for the second round of its Market Linkage grants. The project received 11 applications in total, out of which eight were selected. The Linkage grants are designed to promote Results/Updates: cooperation between Pankisi and Non-Pankisi economic agents. Applications are submitted by two applicants mutually. The applicants selected are the following:
# Applicant N1 Applicant N2 Project Title
1 Lia Qavtarashvili Maia Bunturi Arranging a summer cafe in Jokolo 2 Valodia Gela Butcher shop in Omalo Goderdzishvili Goderdzishvili village 3 Mariana Zurab Establishment of dry- Margoshvili Gognadze cleaning facility for furniture and other materials. 4 Omar Margoshvili Bakar Expansion of beekeeping Dzebisashvili farm
5 Mamuka Gabriel Upgrade of mini factory Alkhanashvili Mamukelashvili specializing in production of construction materials 6 Levan Mosidze Adlani Purchase of hay mower. Margoshvili 7 Gela Udzilauri Ramaz Purchase of rental tractor Margoshvili for different agricultural activities 8 Goga Khabazashvili Soslani Purchase of equipment for Tsintsalashvili the production of laminate furniture
Challenges -No challenges observed
Next Steps -Submit the eight selected linkage grants to USAID for approval
Task 2.6: Integration of business skills in education curriculum
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 17 JAG implemented the second round of the Teaching Basic Business Concept in Pankisi Valley schools. Over the course of the grant, JAG held online orientation meetings with the principals of each school to agree on the training arrangements; conducted online training for teachers; delivered program materials; and recruited private sector volunteers, who shared their own career experiences with students and answered questions regarding their business, job, or career path. The participation of private sector volunteers inspired students and showed them what could be possible for their own careers.
Results/Updates
In total, 7 teachers from Omalo, Jokolo, Duisi, Birkiani, Kvareltskali and Dumasturi schools delivered the business skills program to more than 200 students. JAG ensured smooth implementation of the online trainings and administered progress of the students.
At completion of the grant, JAG organized a student competition under the title: “What is Your Business Idea?” With mentorship from the teachers and parents, students submitted 55 business plans using the template provided by JAG. The business plans were reviewed by representatives of JAG and Pankisi Community Links. As a result, eight business plans were financed by JAG, including:
Student’s Name/Surname Community Business idea Maliqa Qavtarashvili Duisi Mushroom production Amina Khangoshvili Duisi Carpet and wool washing service Anzor Tsiskarishvili Jokolo Wood carving Ramzan Tsinstalashvili Dumasturi Hay mowing machine
Giorgi Mokverashvili Sakobiano Turkey mini farm
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 18 Eliza Tokhosashvili Duisi Chicken breeding Markha Sviakauri Duisi Turkey breeding
In total, teaching basic business skills in high schools involved 7 teachers, 12 private sector volunteers, 284 students, and awarded 8 grants for student business ideas.
Challenges -No challenges were observed
-N/A Next Steps:
Information Campaign on COVID-19 Pandemic
Pankisi Community Links launched an information campaign to raise awareness on the COVID- 19 pandemic. Project Community A volunteer distributing leaflets Results/Updates Mobilizers and volunteers distributed leaflets and posters in the Pankisi Gorge and adjacent areas on disease control, spread and prevention. The campaign provided tips and recommendations on how to combat the virus. In total, more than 7,000 information leaflets and posters were distributed.
From May 7-12, 2020, eight online training sessions/consultations were delivered to Pankisi residents. In total, 72 people from Akhmeta, Alvani, Matani, and Pankisi participated in these training sessions and
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 19 received general information on COVID-19, its symptoms, treatment, the risk of infection, disease prevention, and other important information.
Challenges -No challenges observed
-Provide assistance to Pankisi guesthouses on tips on reopening after Next Steps the pandemic.
Pankisi Community Links QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 3: Q3, FY2020 20 პანკისის სათემო კავშირები
PANKISI COMMUNITY LINKS
Youth Alliance Takes Flight
Akhmeta municipality is an ethnically diverse community, where Kists, Ossetians, Georgians and other communities have peacefully co-existed for centuries. “We are all brothers here,” head of the Council of Elders of Pankisi Gorge, Khaso Khangoshvili says, “but even between family members some issues may arise. Constant dialogues, permanent exchange of information and mutual activities make our brotherhood even stronger,” he concludes.
To keep lines of communication open, the Kakheti Regional Development Foundation (KRDF) established the Youth Alliance which is comprised of 15 young people of different ethnic backgrounds from Akhmeta. KRDF established the Youth Alliance with support from Pankisi Community Links. The main goal of the initiative is to promote youth participation and integration in civic and public life, and to create a safe environment for them to express themselves. The members of the Alliance attended a cycle of trainings on topics such as advocacy, social media, conflict psychology, and effective Photo: USAID/Pankisi Community Links communications. In the future, the Alliance plans to concentrate Maqa Qushanashvili, a member of the Youth Alliance from Jokolo on activities that contribute to raising awareness and that promote employment opportunities for Akhmeta youth.
The Youth Alliance has generated strong support from the leadership of local government, the National Youth Department, and the local community. A trilateral Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by Akhmeta municipality, Pankisi Community Links, and KRDF to ensure the sustainability of the actions planned by the Alliance and provide a firm foundation for further integration of Pankisi and non-Pankisi youth.
In addition to the planned MOU, the Akmeta municipality has shown their support by providing meeting space for the Alliance in city hall. “Finally, we have a working area, which could be used Since 2018, USAID Pankisi Community Links has for constant interaction between each other. It will help us to been working to forge linkages across age groups achieve our goals within the project; we will get closer to each and religious affiliations within Pankisi and other and with mutual effort we will solve the problems which connecting Pankisi citizens to the rest of Georgia through economic and social opportunities are especially relevant for our youth, “ says Mariam Margoshvili, a member of the Alliance.
პანკისის სათემო კავშირები
PANKISI COMMUNITY LINKS
Pankisi Farmer Becomes Regional Leader in Rabbit Feed Supply
The economy of the Pankisi Gorge depends on the livestock business. Raising cows, sheep, poultry, and rabbits accounts for more than 40 percent of local production. Although large in scale, the industry is characterized by low productivity and modern techniques in animal feed and maintenance have not been universally adopted. Rabbit farming is no exception. Kakhaber Chekurishvili, a rabbit farmer from Sakobiano, has been in the business for more than three years. “There are twenty mid-size rabbit farms in the area,” Kakhaber says, “we all try to cooperate, exchange information and share best practices.” According to him, that the biggest challenge is that the market is dominated by imported feed, which is low quality and expensive. Rabbit farming has high potential in the Pankisi Gorge because the meat fetches a good price, is relatively healthy and is acceptable to different ethnic communities. Photo: USAID/Pankisi Community Links Rabbit farmer Kakhaber Chekurishvili To address the need for high quality rabbit feed and adopt more efficient farming practices, Kakhaber purchased a granulated feed mixer with support from Pankisi Community Links. He started by producing half a ton of feed and has quadrupled production in just a few months. Kakhaber now supplies granulated feed to more than twenty rabbit farms on both the municipal and regional level. The price of his product is 20 percent less than comparable imported products. Kakhaber is pleased with the results: “Before we tried to mix different ingredients – grain, hay and corn – but now we can produce modern granulated feed for rabbits.” According to Kakhaber, his business is going so well that he is Since 2018, USAID Pankisi Community Links has thinking about expanding more next year. The rabbit farming been working to forge linkages across age groups industry is growing in the Pankisi Gorge and locally produced and religious affiliations within Pankisi and connecting Pankisi citizens to the rest of Georgia feed represents an opportunity to incorporate quality local through economic and social opportunities inputs into the agricultural sector, supporting increased production and economic opportunities for Pankisi rabbit farmers.