Rural Communities to Choose How to Spend the Budget

Within the framework of a government program aimed at contributing to the development of rural areas, the residents of 3,700 Georgian villages will be given an opportunity to allocate a set budget according to their own needs and priorities. The final decision will be made as a result of negotiations with government bodies. The project is planned to be carried out by March 1.

The Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Maia Tskitishvili, focused on the importance of including the local population in the decision-making process about the vital issues: “We see a very important platform being created. Direct communication will take place between the central and local governments and the local population,’’ she said.

Meetings between the local government authorities have already been held in 800 villages. Repairing drinking water infrastructure; irrigation and drainage systems; coastal work; road and bridge renovation; street lighting; sporting grounds; and cultural facilities are among those areas the locals want finances allocated for.

The initiative comes from the Fund for the Implementation of Regional Projects, managed by the Infrastructure and Regional Development Ministry. A total of 20 million GEL has been allocated by the government to support the development of small infrastructure projects in the rural areas of the country.

If a village fails to reach consensus about future projects, the assigned finances will be returned to the Fund.

By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya

Image source: agenda.ge