Ajara. The Austrian Institute for Regional Studies and Spatial Planning (ÖIR) visited Keda LAG under the EU-supported ENPARD programme implemented by CENN. The ÖIR is Austrian organization working in the fields of spatial planning and regional development since 1957. The organization is actively involved as a consultant in the process of implementing LEADER approach in number of European countries. In Georgia, ÖIR together with CENN and other partner organizations works to strengthen capacity of Keda LAG and support the group in the development of the Local Development Strategy and share European practice.

In the framework of the visit, partner organizations discussed the project’s progress. The Keda LAG learned about the European experience of the Local Development Strategy development, details about the Austrian LAG’s functioning, and partners also shared some practical recommendations for further planning.

During the visit, a workshop on the thematic directions of LAG’s work and planning for further actions in terms of the Local Development Strategy development was held. Keda LAG also presented results of the SWOT analysis for the thematic directions and identified the strategic directions for the regional development. It has to be noted, that Keda LAG plans to develop strategy and move to the next steps of project implementation already by summer.

Source: The organization’s webpage