‘EMBRACE Tsalka’: New EU Project

The European Union actively supports the rural development in various regions of Georgia through the European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD). One of the new projects, worth EUR 2.4 million and called ‘EMBRACE Tsalka’ was presented by the EU and its partner organization CENN in the multi-ethnic Tsalka Municipality of Georgia on March 19.  

The major aim of the initiative is to support smallholders, entrepreneurs, women, youth and other local actors by improving access to knowledge and innovation, introducing best practices, creating public-private partnerships (PPPs) and business linkages, and generating new employment by utilizing the development potential of the area.

“Our goal with the EMBRACE Tsalka project is to reduce rural poverty and improve living conditions in the municipality, addressing economic, social, and environmental concerns by improving agricultural competitiveness, promoting sustainable management of natural resources, and building climate-resilient rural economies and communities,” stated the Head of CENN, Nana Janashia.

Tsalka Local Action Group (LAG) and Local Development Strategy for the Tsalka Municipality are set to be launched within the scope of the project, which will outline the priorities and the most vulnerable members of the communities, and allocate relevant financial support.

Tsalka is a municipality with 30 communities comprised of 43 villages and Tsalka town, where agriculture represents the major economic activity.  

Since 2013, ENPARD has implemented various successful projects with a total cost of EUR 179.5 million.

By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya

Image source: enpard.ge