EU and Georgia Working Together for Sustainable Rural Development

Georgian Government Convenes Rural Development Conference with EU Funding and UNDP Support
 
TBILISI. 28 November 2023 – In pursuit of EU membership, Georgia is advancing its institutional reforms, with agriculture and rural development playing an important role in this transformative journey. To enhance policy reforms and foster coordination, the Government of Georgia convened the Rural Development Conference on 28 November, bringing together national stakeholders, international partners, and rural development experts from EU Member States.

Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture hosted this high-level forum with funding from the European Union, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Otar Shamugia, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, and H.E. Pawel Herczynski, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, opened a discussion by highlighting the indispensable role of rural development in driving Georgia's regions forward, improving the well-being of its people, and facilitating a seamless transition to a greener economy.

"Georgia has made significant strides in the last decade through rural development programmes, institutional reforms, and the adoption of European approaches. As we draw closer to the European Union, our objective is to build on these achievements, working together with partners to set rural development priorities and design interventions aligning with the EU Common Agricultural Policy," noted Minster Shamugia.

"Sustainable and green rural development will improve the lives of over 40 percent of Georgians living outside major cities, fostering opportunities for entrepreneurship, education, and environmental protection. The EU remains committed to working with the Government, civil society, the private sector, and communities on this developmental journey," said Ambassador Herczynski.

The Rural Development Conference featured insightful panel discussions involving Georgian and European officials, practitioners, and experts. Key topics included policy frameworks for sustainable rural development and agriculture, harmonization of Georgian policies with the EU Common Agricultural Policy, the transition to a greener economy in line with the EU’s Green Deal, digital solutions for monitoring and control systems, and funding mechanisms available for EU membership candidate countries.

Experts from Austria, Italy, Latvia, Serbia, and North Macedonia shared their countries' experiences in implementing the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance in Rural Development (IPARD).

Summarizing the conference outcomes, Douglas Webb, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Georgia, underscored its significance as a step toward equitable rural development. "Georgia has every opportunity to foster vibrant rural economies that benefit the people and contribute to the country’s prosperity. Our goal is to empower rural communities by ensuring sustained attention from decision-makers, that engages the private sector and civil society, and harnesses best  practices from European countries."

More information on the Rural Development Conference is available on the website https://ruralconference.ge

The EU and UNDP support for rural development in Georgia draws on the EUR 234.5 million EU-funded European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) implemented since 2013. More information is available on the website: https://eu4georgia.eu/enpard