Kveno Kartli. Up to 30 representatives of Civil Society Organizations from different municipalities of the Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia took part in the Rural Development Advocacy training in Rustavi on October 26-27. The training in Rustavi is the first in a series of training events in every region of the country. This intensive training programme aims to develop inspiring advocates of rural development, raise public awareness and promote advocacy and civil activism in rural areas. The training programme will continue until the end of 2017 and will cover Shida Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kakheti, Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Guria and the Autonomous Republic of Ajara. The Rural Development Advocacy Training runs under the European Union’s Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) and is organized by the Civil Development Agency (CiDA) with assistance from the European Union (EU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In full  Source: The organization’s webpage

Ajara. On 23-27 October 2017, CENN delivered open lessons on Climate Change and presented the young leaders and innovators competition "Me LEADER” at the high schools in Keda Municipality. The initiative is taking place in the framework of the EU-supported project "Optimizing the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development” in Keda Municipality. The EU-funded project "Optimising the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development of Keda Municipality” is implemented by Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) in partnership with the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Institute of Democracy (IoD) and Austrian Institute for Regional Studies and Spatial Planning (ÖIR). The project aims at diversification of the local economic activities, improving investment climate, and empower competitive agricultural and environmental practices in Keda Municipality via bottom-up strategic planning of rural development. In full Source: The organization’s webpage

On 17-24 September 2017, RDFG representatives and Tetritskaro Local Action Group (LAG) board members participated in study exchange visit in Lithuania. During a week, Georgian delegation visited 7 local LAGs in different regions of Lithuania. The aim of the visit was to share successful examples of LEADER approach to the member of Tetritskaro LAG. They also learned about the structure and working methods of Lithuanian LAGs and shared their experience. The study visit also aimed to show governmental structures how LEADER approach is supported on a political level. The visit was part of the project "Rural Development for Sustainable Growth of Tetritskaro Municipality”, which is implemented by RDFG in the framework of the second phase of European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development – ENPARD. The project partners are Agro-Technology Association (ATA), Lithuanian Local Action Groups Network and the Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania. In full  Source: The organization’s webpage

Georgia. Today, at 12:00 in the framework of European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD), within EU-funded project "Supporting Agricultural Co-operation in Georgia”, Oxfam consortia member International Organization Action Against Hunger, is organizing the Demonstration Day in the village Gantiadi of Dmanisi municipality. On 5 October 2017, at 12:00 the Demonstration Day will be held in village Kondoli, Telavi municipality. This events was supported by the European Union through ENPARD programme. In full  Source: The organization’s webpage

Georgia. Up to 50 representatives of the Government of Georgia participated in the trainings dedicated to EU Rural Development Policy Planning and Delivery, which took place from 11 to 14 October in Tbilisi and Borjomi. The trainings were delivered by high level international and national experts. Representatives of the member institutions of the National Inter-Agency Coordination Council for Rural Development of Georgia received information about the key conceptual aspects of sustainable EU rural development, organization of rural development programming and implementation arrangements, role of stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation, partnership approach and practice examples from EU Member States. The event took place in the framework of the European Union’s Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD). It was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in cooperation with the Inter-Agency Coordination Council for Rural Development of Georgia. In full  Source: The organization’s webpage

Transnational Local Action Groups (LAG) Cooperation Conference "Networking Works” was held in Vilnius, Lithuania on 12-14 September. The Chairman of RDFG and the Manager of the Project "Rural Development for Sustainable Growth of Tetritskaro Municipality” attended the event. The aim of the conference was to introduce different LAGs to each other and encourage transnational cooperation among the representatives. RDFG represented the LAG of Tetritskaro municipality, established through the EU funded ENPARD project several months ago. It was the first time when Georgia took part in this international conference and RDFG was the only representative from the country. In full  Source: The organization’s webpage

ENPARD implementing partner organisation, CARE International in the Caucasus organised a 4-days study tour in the Netherlands for its 7 supported cooperatives. The tour took place under the project "Cooperation for Rural Prosperity in Georgia” funded by the EU through ENPARD programme in Georgia and was organized in cooperation with HollandDoor Cooperative U.A and with the Georgian Farmers Association (GFA), and has allowed the acquaintance of CARE-supported cooperatives with the vegetable and strawberry sector in Netherlands. In full  Source: The organization’s webpage

Kakheti. Traditional Annual Festival "Heretoba” in Lagodekhi was organized by the Local Municipality Board in Lagodekhi. The event was supported by ENPARD Rural Development project implementing organization CARE International in the Caucasus and Lagodekhi Local Action Group (LAG). In the frames of the event, various cultural activities were organized: musical and choreographic concerts as well as exhibition of local agricultural products. During the event, Lagodekhi Local Action Group arranged the information corner of Rural Development Project, where the photo materials of funded initiatives, as well as products, such as: dried fruits, strawberry, honey and roses were presented. In full  Source: The organization’s webpage

Imereti. In the framework of ENPARD programme, Mercy Corps hosted a cross-visit of the representatives of farmer cooperatives supported by other ENPARD partners – Care, Oxfam and People in Need (PIN). The visit was held in Tkemlovani village of Chiatura municipality, in Imereti. The visit aimed to demonstrate the traditional Kvevri making technology to wine-makers and vine-growers from ENPARD beneficiary viticulture and winemaking cooperatives. The host of the visit, ENPARD and Mercy Corps beneficiary Roman Chinchaladze runs his kvevri business, which is based on ancient Georgian traditional unique technology. He inherited the knowledge and skills of kvevri-making from his ancestors and is proud to continue with this business and to promote it. The European Union is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 102 million (2013-2019), the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. In full  Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. ENPARD Communication Unit has published a publication about the European Union’s budget support to Georgia under ENPARD’s first phase. The publication provides detailed information about the achievements under the budget support component of ENPARD I in Georgia, covering the years of 2013-2017. Budget support is the main form of assistance from the European Union (EU) to the Eastern Partnership region. It hinges on policy dialogue, partnership and mutual accountability between the EU and its partner countries. With the budget support mechanism, the EU enhances policy dialogue with partner countries on key development issues and fosters partner countries’ ownership of development policies and reforms. In full  Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia studied a privatization process of 13,850 sq/m lots of land in the village of Teleti in Gardabani municipality and believes there are signs of corruption. ''Specifically, as a result of actions of the National Agency of State Property and the local self-government, parties interested in purchasing the land were given unequal treatment. Therefore, we encourage law-enforcement agencies to take notice of this case and fully investigate it. The suspicion of possible corruption is further supported by the fact that the representatives of I.O. tried to sell the same property to the disadvantaged Well3 LLC for 2.5 times higher price just a couple of days after purchasing the land. For this there is supporting evidence. We believe that the law-enforcement agencies must take notice of this case and fully and objectively investigate facts of a possible crime'', is noted in the statement. In full... Source: www.transparency.ge

Kakheti. On 17 June 2017, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Georgia, Janos Herman paid visits to agriculture and rural development initiatives supported by EU through ENPARD programme. The ENPARD site visits in Kvareli and Lagodekhi were part of Ambassador’s two-day official programme in Kakheti to explore EU support to economic opportunities in the region. In full... Source: enpard.ge

Tbilisi. On May 29, the state legislature registered an initiative by 21 Members of the Parliament on the amendments to the law on agricultural land and accompanying package of laws. The aim of the draft law is to regulate the issue related to the sale of agricultural land to foreigners and persons without citizenship of Georgia. ''In overall, the decision to draft a unified state policy towards the ownership of agricultural land can be assessed as positive. The imposition of special regulations on agricultural land is a well-known practice in foreign countries as well. The special regulations usually relate to the rational use of land as well as issue of state security, such as the sale of land near state borders. It is important for the restriction of right of ownership of land to serve legitimate purposes, as well as avoiding the creation of artificial barrier and damaging the prospects for the economic development of the country. In order to avoid instances of corruption, it is also important for the law to include effective enforcement mechanisms, as well as clear regulations on restrictions and decisions'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Economic Policy Research Center has published a guide for the agricultural sector. Have you understood what the European Union trade environment means? What steps should Georgian farmers be taking in order to export their products to the European Union market? In full… Source:www.scribd.com

Kartli. Regional coordinators of the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) conducted information meetings about the EU Association Agreement in Zeghduleti, Kartli. ''The purpose of the meeting was to provide farmers living in village Zeghduleti as well as other interested individuals with the information about the European Union and the EU Association Agreement. In addition, regional coordinators provided the population of Zeghduleti with the information on new standards of agricultural production, food safety control, standardization procedures, potential benefits of accessing foreign markets and other related updates'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: The organizations web-page in a social network

Kvemo-kartli. Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) regional coordinators held an information meeting about the EU Association Agreement in Marneuli. ''The main purpose of the meeting was to provide farmers living in Marneuli as well as other interested individuals with the information about the European Integration and the EU Association Agreement'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: The organizations web-page in a social network

Kvemo kartli. Today, EPRC team held information meeting in Marneuli with the local farmers. ''Meeting was held in the framework of the project ''EU’s Association Agreement and its impact on Competitiveness on Georgian Agriculture.'' During the meeting, farmers received information on the potential and importance of the EU’s Association Agreement and foreseen amendments and regulations to be expected in the sector'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: Social page

Kakheti. What is the Association Agreement? What does the DCFTA mean? What kind of opportunities does the EU market provide? How to prepare for the new requirements in the agricultural field? EPRC’s regional coordinators visited Akhmeta and Pankisi in Kakheti region. The coordinators met the population employed in the agriculture field and informed them about the main directions of the EU’s AA. In full… Source: The organizations web-page in a social page

Tbilisi. On October 22nd, the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) hosted a training for regional coordinators. ''The aim of the training was to provide in depth analysis of the new requirements for Agricultural sector envisaged under the EU’s Association Agreement(AA) including the agreement on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). Within the training regional coordinators got familiar with the importance of EU market for the agricultural sector and responsibilities undertaken by Georgian government to meet the AA standards. The training touched upon the issues of EU requirements for primary producers and processing enterprises, identified priority directives in the sector'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: Social page

Tbilisi. The Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC), within the framework of the ACCESS project of the East - West Management Institute (EWMI), publishes a guide for the agricultural sector. In full… Source:www.scribd.com

Tbilisi. The Georgian Regional Media Association has launched the local population awareness campaign on agricultural issues, which aims to inform the public on food safety issues. From September, the Association will include information annexes in the regional publications of its members. Read more... Source: media.ge