BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 3
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
As part of the ENPARD program, the European Union (EU) is also assisting Georgia to improve agriculture, the EU delegation in Georgia told Trend.
"Since 2013, we have been working with the Georgian government to develop policies, but also bringing other successful European practices in the field. One approach is to work closely with civil society, public and private sector to empower local people so that they take the development of their communities into their own hands through Local Action Groups (LAGs)," the EU said.
According to the source, with EU support, LAGs in 12 municipalities have been established, mobilized communities, and initiated various social and economic actions to improve lives in rural areas.
As the EU noted, through the LAGs, the EU has funded over 500 local initiatives that have helped diversify local economies, provided better employment to more than 1,000 rural households, and improved living conditions of over 10,000 rural population.
"Our goal is to help Georgia’s rural communities to make the best of the local economy, stay and prosper in their own villages without having to think about migrating somewhere for better livelihood," the EU added.
Implemented in 2013, the main goal of ENPARD is to provide economic opportunities in rural areas and reduce poverty in Georgia. For the period of 2013-2025, the program’s total budget is 234.5 million euros disbursed through different phases: I Phase – 52 million euros, 2014-2017, II Phase – 50 million euros, 2016-2019, III Phase – 77.5 million euros, 2018-2022, IV Phase (launched in December 2020) - 55 million euros, 2021-2025.
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