LEADER: A European Approach to Better Rural Lives
Georgia’s progress towards sustainable, inclusive and green rural development was the focus of the conference ‘LEADER: A European Approach to Better Rural Lives’.
The event summarised the impressive results of the EUR234.5 million EU-funded ENPARD programme, an almost 10-year-long effort to introduce European rural development models in Georgia and ensure a sustainable future for Georgian farmers and rural communities.
“Rural development is an important cooperation area between the European Union and Georgia. Sustainable, inclusive and green rural economies push people out of poverty, create employment and set out a pathway to sustainable growth benefitting people and the environment. Georgia has achieved steady progress in the last ten years in modernising its rural development through policies and practical initiatives. The European Union salutes these achievements and remains committed to supporting new opportunities for rural communities,” said H.E. Pawel Herczynski, Ambassador of the European Union in Georgia, during his opening remarks.
“The Government of Georgia has been taking significant steps over the years to promote the development of rural areas. This critical work is in line with Georgia’s national priorities on the path to European integration. Georgia’s new National Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development for 2021-2027 provides a clear roadmap towards a competitive rural economy, improved livelihoods, better environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources,” said Otar Shamugia, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.
The event brought together Georgian decision-makers, civil society and the private sector, as well as representatives of municipalities, Local Action Groups and communities.
Representatives of the Austrian Development Cooperation and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Georgia contributed to the discussion with their insights on Georgia’s rural development prospects. Government representatives and the ENPARD programme partners discussed Georgia’s efforts to adopt the best economic, social and environmental practices in rural development and institutionalise European approaches, such as LEADER. In parallel with the discussions, the conference hosted an exhibition of agricultural produce from across Georgia.
Background
Since 2013, the EU has supported Georgia through the ENPARD programme and assisted to align the country’s institutional, legal and administrative systems with EU standards. The programme has consistently shown a Team Europe approach with EU Member States, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia, sharing their experience. The EU and partners have introduced best practices and approaches, such as the LEADER and CLLD approach, which have resulted in a range of local initiatives reaching out to people, businesses and communities across the country.
Over the past years, the EU’s support has triggered a change in rural areas across the country. During the conference, the following successes of the third phase of ENPARD were highlighted:
- Over 2,600 jobs were created or sustained in the focal areas of the programme with two-thirds (1,700) held by women.
- Almost 7,000 men and women in rural areas developed new skills for employment through vocational education.
- The Local Action Groups established under ENPARD III have an equal number of male and female board members, helping to make sure that strategic decisions about local development are made by women and men together.
The conference ‘LEADER: A European Approach to Better Rural Lives’ was organised with EU support by rural development partners united around ENPARD: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Action Against Hunger (AAH), CARE Caucasus, CENN, and People in Need.
Media contact:
- Tamar Mikadze, Press and Information Officer, European Union Delegation to Georgia, +995 32 2364364, tamriko.mikadze@eeas.europa.eu
