The EU Business Climate Report Georgia 2024 is out.  „Despite continued economic growth, businesses in Georgia face growing challenges: political instability, workforce shortages, and trade barriers. This year’s report highlights a severe skills gap, costing the economy an estimated 26% of GDP“.  more... source: EU IN GEORGIA

Imereti.EU and UNDP Help Revitalize Perevi Village through Rural Entrepreneurship. The EU and UNDP provide Perevi residents with resources they need to kickstart rural entrepreneurship and prevent migration from village to cities or abroad in search of better employment opportunities. Read the success stories of women beneficiaries of the project here Source: European Union in Georgia

Imereti. This weekend, a group of young visionaries embarked on their entrepreneurship journey at LDA Empowerpreneurship Bootcamp, funded by Peace Corps Georgia.  Through engaging hands-on exercises, we mastered essential skills for today's innovative leaders—collaboration, communication (zombie escapes included!), active listening, problem-solving, and understanding customer needs.  From brainstorming sessions that sparked creativity to devising innovative solutions for real-world challenges, every moment was a step toward becoming the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.  Participants left not only with newfound knowledge but also with a supportive community, ready to transform ideas into impactful actions. More... Source: LDA Georgia

Tbilisi. The OECD, in collaboration with the EU and EBRD, has recently published the SME Policy Index: Eastern Partnership Countries 2024. The report offers a thorough assessment of SME development practices and associated policies in Georgia and other EaP countries, and provides recommendations. See more… Source: EU

Tbilisi. The Civil Society Institute, backed by the European Union and working with the partner organizations, hosted the conference “Social Entrepreneurship Development Perspectives in Georgia”. The primary objective of the conference was to facilitate a meaningful dialogue among stakeholders interested in the social entrepreneurship ecosystem regarding the current landscape and future development prospects. The event aimed to provide a platform for decision-makers, social enterprises, supporting organizations, and experts to exchange knowledge and experiences in the realm of state support for social entrepreneurship. The conference was held on February 23, 2024, at the Tbilisi Marriott Hotel (13 Shota Rustaveli Ave., Tbilisi).  Highlights of the conference encompassed:  International experience of state support of social entrepreneurship;  Key recommendations for state support of social entrepreneurship;  Present state and future outlook of state support for social entrepreneurship at the national level in Georgia;  Current practices and perspectives of social entrepreneurship support at the local self-government level. During the conference, international experts shared insights from various countries, underscoring the positive outcomes achieved through state support for social entrepreneurship. On the other hand, local speakers highlighted current state support schemes in Georgia, emphasizing existing initiatives and the need for continuous improvement. The conference was organized with the support of the European Union and "Bread for the World" within the scope of the ongoing project " Advancing Social Entrepreneurship for Sustainable and Inclusive Society". The project is implemented by the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) in partnership with Social Enterprise Alliance (SEA), Civil Society Institute (CSI), Impact Europe (Formerly EVPA), Georgian Civil Development Association (GCDA), Democratic Development Union of Georgia (DDUG), the LEPL Youth Agency.

Tbilisi.Transparency International Georgia (TI Georgia) published the latest study on the economic dependence on Russia in September 2023, which explored the situation of the first half of 2023.  The present study fully reflects the data and trends observed in 2023. "Economic dependence on Russia poses a threat to Georgia because Russia traditionally uses economic relations as a lever for political pressure on independent countries. Due to this, it is important to know the level and tendency of the dependence of the Georgian economy on Russia. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine War has made observation on Georgia’s economic dependence on Russia even more relevant." More... Source: Transparency International Georgia 

Tbilisi. Empowering Circular Solutions in Georgia: a B2B Networking Event on Plastic Reduction Opportunities and the Recycling Landscape has been organized by CENN and the USAID Economic Security Program. This event aimed to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders involved in the circular economy sector with the help of interactive sessions. The event was held within the framework of the project "Strengthening the Community for the Implementation of Circular Solutions in Georgia", which is implemented by CENN with the support of USAID's Economic Security Program. The event was supported by the European Union. More... Source: CENN

The German NGO Forum on Environment and Development (FUE) and CENN, with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office, support capacity building of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the South Caucasus to promote CSO SDG advocacy.   The capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, hosted a 3-day SDG conference in which 25 CSO representatives participated from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.  More... Source: CENN 

Tbilisi.Over 600 representatives from diverse sectors across Georgia united at the B2B fair of social enterprises, organized by CSRDG with the support of the EU. he event offered a unique platform for guests to immerse themselves in a vast array of products and services provided by cutting-edge Georgian social enterprises exhibited in one space. Attendees also had the privilege of hearing the remarkable tales of our Impact Heroes – individuals who are making monumental contributions in addressing an array of socio-economic challenges.   More... Source: European Union in Georgia

Samegrelo. Elmira Jinjolia is one of 80 conflict-affected people in Georgia who benefit from the EU’s and UNDP Georgia’s support. Project helped Elmira enroll in an entrepreneurship training programme, participate in a grant competition and made the business idea of opening a coffee shop into a reality. Read more… Source: The EU’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The forth award ceremony of ‘Georgia’s Responsible Business Awards – Meliora 2022’ supported by the European Union (EU) and Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and implemented by the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) was held on 30 May 2023. “An annual competition aimed at developing corporate responsibility in Georgia and promoting it throughout society, awards business companies for their best initiatives and projects  contributing to the development of corporate social responsibility. As part of this event, the members of diplomatic corps and international experts presented awards to winners in various categories”. Read more… Source: eu4georgia.eu

Guria. On April 28, 2023, the Institute for Changes and Innovation, in partnership with the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC), held a thematic meeting in Ozurgeti within the framework of the EU-supported “Learn for Employment” project, the aim of which was cooperation between sectors to overcome problems in the field of education and employment, to discuss current challenges and ways to improve the situation. Representatives of local self-government, non-governmental organizations, the State Employment Promotion Agency, media, and educational and business sectors attended the event. Read more… Source: edec.ge

Tbilisi. Women entrepreneurs in 10 countries will be helped to digitize their businesses, through a program developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) with Microsoft Corporation’s support. At this stage, the project mainly covers Asian and African countries. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On April 5, 2023, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani met with Wolt couriers who are on a strike and listened to their problems related to their labor rights and discrimination. According to the applications filed with the Public Defender’s Office, some of the couriers were blocked by the Wolt application, which is why they cannot continue working, while others received a warning message about their dismissal from the company. The couriers name their protest against the company as the reason for the violation of their rights. The Public Defender continues to study the mentioned applications and will make a decision in the near future. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information shares the infographics: The Impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Georgia in Numbers. As of December 31, 2022, Russian citizens have 2.87 billion in the form of deposits at Georgian commercial banks.  In 2022 currency exchange offices in Georgia bought 4.6 billion rubles and sold 4.3 billion rubles.  After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 1,841 Russian citizens were registered in public and private schools in Georgia. Learn more... Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. In 2022, Georgia received about 3.6 billion USD in income from Russia through remittances, tourism, and the export of goods, which is 3 times more than the income received from Russia in 2021 from the same sources. This number by 2 times exceeds the income received from Russia in 2019, before the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, the income from remittances, tourism, and export of goods from Russia was 14.6% of the Georgian economy (GDP), while in 2021, this figure was 6.3%, and the maximum – was 9.9% in 2018. Therefore, Georgia's economic dependence on Russia increased compared to previous years. The growth is mainly due to the soaring remittances. Georgia's growing economic dependence on Russia constitutes a threat to the country, as Russia has repeatedly utilized economic relations to politically leverage independent countries. Furthermore, the increased economic dependence on Russia is a threat to Georgia in terms of macroeconomics too as the Western sanctions and the war caused the economic crisis in Russia that will continue in 2023 as well. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Mtskheta-Mtianeti. Organized by Mtskheta Mtianeti Regional Hub and with the support of Mtskheta Municipality City Hall, on December 10th, an exhibition and sale of women entrepreneurs’ products was held in Mtskheta. The purpose of the exhibition was to summarize the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence, which has been celebrated in 187 countries since 1991. Mtskheta-Mtianeti regional hub, with the financial support of the Eesti Pagulasabi/Estonian Refugee Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, implements the project: "Supporting IDP and conflict-affected women's sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship in Georgia".  Within the project, a total of 90 war-affected women received entrepreneurial grants. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Imereti. On October 19, the representatives of Taso Foundation visited the projects of the participants of the “Women's Economic Empowerment” program in the village of Dimi, Baghdati municipality: vegetable greenhouse and a family cellar. Purchases planned within the project have been completed, women have started their activities. The project is implemented by Taso Foundation with the support of the United Nations Women's Organization (UN Women) and the Norwegian government. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

The European Union (EU) is the largest donor to Georgia. Its portfolio grew significantly from a committed amount of EUR 150 million in 2015 to EUR 225 million in 2020. Between 2014 and 2020, the EU provided support to Georgia of a total of EUR 938.4 million. More …

Tbilisi. Is your business interested to meet Georgian social enterprises from all over Georgia, to see their products and services in one space? Join the B2B exhibition organised by CSRDG within the EU project on 30 September. Business representatives will have the opportunity to meet 50 social enterprises with diverse profiles, discuss future collaboration and develop responsible procurement practices. Find out more in the video. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On September 16-18, a joint meeting for community workers was held, organized by “Taso Foundation”. The meeting was held within the framework of the second phase of the project "Economic Empowerment of Women through Social Mobilization and Capacity Building". The project is implemented in partnership with the UN Women Georgia, Kakheti Regional Development Fund (KRDF), and CARE Caucasus. The Project is supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Georgia and Austrian Development Agency. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. A memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Association “Anika” and the company “Skillwill Academy”. The memorandum aims to strengthen people's capacities in the field of information technology and the promotion of employment. The program proposed by "Skillwill Academy" will establish an inclusive approach in the technological field, creating equal opportunities and conditions for People with Disabilities. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network