EU-funded development initiatives promote local entrepreneurship and economic and social activities in Adjara

In rural Adjara, Georgia, 170 local development initiatives have been supported and over 500 new jobs created through the Local Action Groups (LAGs) established in Keda and Khulo municipalities. These are the main results of the four-year work of the ‘Keda Leader’ and ‘ENPARD Khulo’ rural development projects, financed by the European Union and implemented by the Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) in Keda, and by Caritas Czech Republic in Khulo since 2017. The achievements were summarised at a joint closure event organised in the municipality of Keda.

The Local Action Groups (LAGs) established in Keda and Khulo municipalities have mobilised local communities, brought together civil society, private and public sector representatives and designed local development strategies to meet local priorities and needs. The development initiatives promote local entrepreneurship and diversification of economic and social activities in various areas, including agriculture, tourism, infrastructure development, education, environment, municipal services, and others.

After the event, the guests visited several EU-supported rural development initiatives in Keda municipality, including the family hotel and winery of Chateau Iveri, and a public school in the town of Keda, where representatives of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Adjara Autonomous Republic, CENN, Democratic Institute and Keda LAG signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the improvement of energy supply through energy efficiency technologies in 66 public schools of Keda municipality. The school, as a grant winner of the Keda LEADER project, was equipped with modern technologies and furniture.

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Press release