International Rural Development Conference to Be Held in Georgia

Officials from the European Union, the Georgian Government and Agricultural Organizations will come together in Tbilisi to present European experiences in rural development and the vision for rural development in Georgia.

On December 11th, Tbilisi will host an international conference, Rural Development in Georgia, where the objective of defining a concrete roadmap for the development of an integrated policy framework to support rural development in the country will be developed.

According to the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD), many rural areas in Georgia could increase their potential beyond agriculture, given the great opportunities offered by their unique natural landscape, culture and traditions.

The European experience of support to rural areas could assist the process of rural development in Georgia.

Currently, Georgia has no standalone Rural Development Policy, and through ENPARD, the EU has agreed to assist Georgia in the adoption of a new Rural Development Strategy that will help establish support programs in rural areas across the country.

“The rural development approach recognizes that each territory has its own unique features, and that communities and local authorities need capacities and resources to implement their local strategies for development. This approach has helped large portions of the rural population improve infrastructure, services and living conditions, generating multiplying effects in terms of attracting larger public and private support,” the ENPARD statement reads.

The International Stakeholders Conference, Rural Development in Georgia, will help participants agree on the best possible roadmap to allow a fruitful collaboration between the EU and Georgia for the adoption of an effective strategy to better support Georgia’s rural communities.