Stronger women: stronger Georgia – factsheet

For sixty years, the European Union has worked tirelessly to defend women’s rights and to empower them to realise their full potential. Gender equality is at the heart of the EU’s Eastern Partnership initiative. It is vital to the individual lives of women as well as men, and essential for long-term democratic development.  In its cooperation with Georgia, the EU is driving real change by strengthening women in business, providing opportunities for quality education and promoting a fair society.

WHAT IS BEING DONE

• Gender action plans
  Taking account of gender issues across public policies, and generating statistics based on gender
• New and improved legislation
  Adopting and applying anti-discrimination and domestic violence laws
• More women in business
  Making loans via local banks available for women-led enterprises
• New study and career opportunities
  Offering a wide range of exchange programmes across Europe with Erasmus+
• Young women leaders
  Enhancing the active participation of young women through the EU4Youth programme

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

The EU supports women entrepreneurs in Georgia through the Women in Business programme, which is implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Support provided by the programme includes business advice, training and mentoring to women-led companies, as well as finance through dedicated credit lines provided to local banks.

In 2019, 919 women entrepreneurs in Georgia received loans to a total value of more than €76 million under EU support programmes for SMEs, while 84 received grants worth almost €500,000. More than 8,500 benefitted from consultancy services. Turnover among supported companies rose by more than €100 million, and 7,895 new jobs were created as a result of the support.

“With their support, we managed to stabilise our revenues and develop a business plan to get a low-interest loan.” Tekla Mamageishvili was able to expand her Tbilisi eye clinic, thanks to Women in Business.

Find out how you can take part www.ebrdwomeninbusiness.com

Women entrepreneurs in Georgia also have access to a range of other funding and advisory services provided under the EU4Business initiative. Find out more www.eu4business.ge

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG WOMEN

Erasmus+

Through its Erasmus+ programme, the EU offers young women in Georgia a huge range of exchange opportunities across Europe.

Erasmus+ opportunities include:

• Scholarships to study in Europe
• Student exchanges
• Youth exchanges
• European Solidarity Corps
• Opportunities for youth workers
• Youth involvement in reform dialogue

• From 2015-2019, EU funding enabled 4,757 students and academic staff from Georgia to study or teach in the EU; 108 Master’s students from Georgia have received full Erasmus scholarships.
• Over 9,300 young people and youth workers from Georgia have been involved in joint exchanges, training and volunteering projects.

Erasmus+ in Georgia: all your questions answered: https://www.euneighbours.eu/en/east/stay-informed/cards/erasmus-georgia

EU4Youth

• EU4Youth supports young people to develop skills for jobs, and encourages and invests in youth entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
• The EU has set a 75% target to support young women under the EU4Youth programme.
• EU4Youth funds 5 grant projects active in Georgia.
• In the period 2018-2020, 3,361 young women in Georgia benefited from training and workshops under EU4Youth grant projects, 296 took part in internships, and 96 became self-employed after receiving support.

“When I received financing, I had the idea, but I lacked experience and skills. That’s where the entrepreneurial school helped me.” Tsitsi Shengelia turned her wood-working hobby into a business with EU4Youth support.

www.euforyouth.eu

A FAIR SOCIETY

In response to the pandemic, the EU is funding a project to ‘Increase support to victims of domestic violence during the COVID-19 crisis’. The project provides legal and psychological support, raises awareness of government domestic violence support services, and works with municipalities to develop response plans.

In just one month, more than 4,000 people have downloaded the 112 Georgia mobile application, which includes an SOS button which immediately activates an emergency notification to the police.

“The project has given me a great deal of legal and psychological help, and today I am stronger than ever” Mariam Dalakishvili, beneficiary

EU4GENDER EQUALITY

This regional programme, funded by the European Union across the Eastern Partnership, seeks to strengthen equal rights and opportunities for women and men by shifting social perceptions around gender roles, tackling gender stereotypes and increasing men’s participation in childcare and other domestic responsibilities.

In Georgia, the project developed a social media campaign to focus public attention on the experience of fatherhood,starting from the pre-natal stage, through infancy and early childhood.

Find out more: EU 4 Gender Equality: Together Against Gender Stereotypes and Gender-Based Violence