Government of Georgia Presents Key Areas of Rural Development in 2017-2020

On 16 March 2017, the Government of Georgia presented the national Strategy for Rural Development 2017-2020 and the Rural Development Action Plan 2017 to representatives of the national and local authorities, civil society organizations, diplomatic missions and international agencies.

The event was opened by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who highlighted the importance of a new approach to rural development grounded on the best European practices in this field.

Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Agriculture of Georgia, introduced key areas of the Rural Development Strategy 2017 – 2020 and the Action Plan 2017.

"The implementation of the Strategy promotes local entrepreneurship and civil engagement while improving the quality of people’s life,” Minister Davitashvili said.

The adoption of the first ever Rural Development Strategy of Georgia was welcomed by Janos Herman, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, and Niels Scott, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Georgia.

“The European Union will continue supporting rural development to open economic and social opportunities for people in every region of Georgia,” Ambassador Herman said.

The Rural Development Strategy 2017 – 2020 was adopted by the Government of Georgia in December 2016 with support from the European Union (EU), in cooperation with two United Nations agencies – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), under the EU-funded European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD).

The adoption of the Strategy was followed by the establishment of an Interagency Coordination Council on rural development led by the Ministry of Agriculture with the support of the European Union (EU) and technical assistance from UNDP under the EU-funded ENPARD programme.  The Council coordinates the implementation of the Strategy and considers specific initiatives in the regions of Georgia. 

The European Union is supporting rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 102 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second phase focuses on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge