BFC Georgian Agriculture Finance Bulletin. Edition #93, May 2020
entrepreneurs (18-35 for men and 18-40 for women) operating in the Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Imereti, Guria, Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti and Kakheti regions.
Foreign Aid 10) FAO webinar supports Georgian seedling production May 5th, 2020, http://www.fao.org/georgia/news/detail-events/en/c/1273769/
Over twenty representatives of private nurseries participated in a first three-day technical webinar organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the EU Innovative Action for Private Sector Competitiveness in Georgia project. The online webinar trained entrepreneurs on how to produce high-quality, certified seedlings as well as how to continue the development of Georgia’s National Seedling Certification System. In particular, the course focused on providing practical knowledge to align Georgia’s seedling production with international standards and the best practices of European countries. This is especially important as new quality requirements will become mandatory for Georgian seedling producers starting in 2024 as a result of Georgia’s Association Agreement with the European Union (EU).
11) Grant competition announced to support organic agriculture May 5th, 2020, http://bizzone.info/agriculture/2020/1588709325.php
A grant competition to support the creation of economic opportunities within the Georgian organic agriculture sector has been announced as part of the Green Economy - Sustainable Mountain Tourism and Organic Agriculture (GRETA) project. A total of EUR 1.16 million is available to farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives, agricultural processing enterprises and other organic producers operating in the Mestia, Lentekhi, Tsageri, Oni, Ambrolauri, Sachkhere, Chiatura and Tkibuli municipalities. Applications must include measures to: (1) encourage small-sized farms to switch to organic production, (2) increase the productivity and/or market access of existing organic farms and processing enterprises, (3) improve product quality and grow demand in markets, (4) popularize organic agriculture and organic products at the regional and national level, (5) establish communication between organic producers and purchasing companies and/or (6) supply farmers with necessary resources for bioproduction. Grants will be awarded in amounts of between EUR 5,000 and EUR 150,000. Co-financing of at least 10% is required. The GRETA project is being funded by the European Commission (EC) and the governments of Sweden and Austria. The EUR 6.8 million project is scheduled to run through April 2023.
12) EU, UNDP grant program to help rural regions respond to COVID-19 crisis May 7th, 2020, https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/georgia/78672/eu-and
To help Georgia’s rural regions respond to the economic and social challenges emerging from the COVID-19 crisis, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have launched a GEL 9 million grant program through the Agriculture and Rural Development Agency (ARDA) of the Ministry of Agriculture. The grants are designed to boost rural entrepreneurship, create sustainable jobs, improve the management of natural resources and promote climate action in eight municipalities (Akhalkalaki, Borjomi, Dedoplistskaro, Kazbegi, Keda, Khulo, Lagodekhi and Tetritskaro). Grants of up to GEL 170,000 are available for non-agricultural business start-ups and growing enterprises, with an additional GEL 30,000 available for energy efficiency improvements. To ensure sustainability, all grantees are expected to provide at least 20% co-financing for their projects.
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