EU Supported Rural Development Project Launched in Khulo Municipality
On September 15, the EU launched a new rural development project in Khulo. The project ‘Promotion of Rural Development and Diversification in Khulo Municipality” is being implemented by Caritas Czech Republic in Georgia (CCRG) and aims to improve employment and living conditions in Khulo trough diversification of the rural economy. The goal of the project is to maximize the engagement of private, civil and public sector participation in the rural development process.
At the launch, welcome speeches were delivered by Avtandil Melkhidze, Acting Minister of Agriculture of Adjara; Alvaro Ortega Aparicio, Attaché, Program Manager for Environment and Rural Development, Delegation of the European Union to Georgia; and Ekaterine Meskhrikadze, Head of Mission, CCRG, representative of project partner organization HMRR and Municipality Gamgebeli.
The event was also attended by representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia and Adjara AR, Khulo municipality, and local public and private sector business persons.
Attaché Aparacio presented the European LEADER approach principles and highlighted the importance of active cooperation by private, public and CSOs for rural development. “Under the ENPARD program, the European Union supports rural and agricultural development in different regions of Georgia. This project will introduce the European model of rural development, the so called LEADER approach, and will create new economic and social opportunities in Khulo municipality,” stated Mr. Ortega.
The project manager, Giorgi Murvanidze, in turn highlighted the importance of rural development in Khulo municipality, presenting project objectives, project current achievements and planned activities.
The project follows the earlier EU-supported rural development actions under ENPARD in Borjomi, Lagodekhi and Kazbegi municipalities. This year, the EU launched new rural development projects in five other municipalities: Khulo, Keda, Dedoplistskaro, Akhalkalaki and Tetritskaro.
Rural development has an important role to play in the sustainable development of Georgia. The key to boosting employment and improving living conditions in rural areas is diversifying the economy and moving away from an over-reliance on agriculture.
The EU 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. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge