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EU and MRDI Highlight Further Progress under Regional Development Programme

The European Union and the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI) continue to work together to improve the living conditions of people in the regions of Georgia. To highlight this support in Telavi and Akhmeta municipalities, representatives of the EU and MRDI visited several project sites.

SB Kakheti

On 6 June 2022, Telavi and Akhmeta received visitors from the European Union and the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI). Sigrid Brettel, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, and Mzia Giorgobiani, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, travelled to Kakheti to assess several project initiatives within the joint regional development programme.

Sigrid Brettel and Deputy Minister Giogobiani visited the city centre of Telavi, which is benefitting from new street signs in over 200 locations and touristic walking paths based on QR codes. In addition, energy-efficient benches with free WiFi access and phone chargers have been installed to make tourists feel more comfortable during their visit in Telavi. These initiatives aim to stimulate tourism and create new opportunities for local citizens and businesses.

The joint visit continued in Atskuri village, Akhmeta municipality, where a new kindergarten is being constructed. Once finished, it will serve up to 50 children and create 12 new jobs for local teachers. This will help local families provide education for children and help free them up for economic activity.

Finally, Deputy Minister Giorgobiani and Sigrid Brettel travelled to the fortified town Kvetera, also located in Akhmeta municipality. Within the joint EU-MRDI programme, 600m of new road is being built as well as a visitors’ centre and trade booths for locals. Further touristic facilities, such as parking and camping areas, outdoor water and electricity sources are being installed. This new infrastructure aims to stimulate tourism and bring new opportunities for the local population.

About the EU’s and MRDI’s work on regional development

The European Union has dedicated a total of EUR 54 million to regional development in Georgia. Out of these EUR 40.5 million are available for the Government’s Pilot Integrated Territorial Development Programme (PIRDP), which moves decision-making from Tbilisi to the regional level. Through this programme, funds are made directly available for municipalities, who choose pilot initiatives to improve opportunities and living conditions of the local population

The joint work by the EU and the Government of Georgia is complemented by several initiatives (up to EUR 13.5 million), implemented by Team Europe partners and international organisations. Partners work together closely with the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure to make sure all efforts go towards the benefit of the local population. These initiatives will lead to more investments in the regions, more jobs created, improved access to services, and will hopefully reduce the number of people leaving their home villages.

More information: https://eu4georgia.eu/regions/

For further information, please contact

  • Tamriko Mikadze, Press and Information Officer, Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, Tamriko.Mikadze@eeas.europa.eu
  • Inga Nikagosian, Team Leader, EU4Georgia 4, in@ntu.eu  577 293979