Supporting Georgia's Path to Prosperity and Democracy: An Interview with John Pennell, USAID Mission Director

John Pennell, USAID Mission Director in Georgia shares his insights into the multifaceted journey of Georgia towards prosperity and democracy. With a rich background of experience in various countries, Mr. Pennell highlights the unique challenges and opportunities Georgia presents, shedding light on the critical initiatives, strategies, and partnerships that drive this transformative process. This interview delves into the pivotal role played by USAID in supporting Georgia’s aspirations for a brighter and more democratic future.

Could you share any specific initiatives or programs that you are particularly excited about or proud of during your tenure as the USAID Mission Director in Georgia?

USAID looks to Georgia as a strong, stable, prosperous and democratic partner in the South Caucasus, and all of our programs strengthen and advance that partnership. I’ve been privileged to be part of many important initiatives since arriving in Georgia in 2022. What I’m most proud of is USAID’s efforts to create opportunities for youth. Whenever I meet with Georgia’s young people, who come from diverse backgrounds and different parts of the country, I’m struck by how committed they are to building a prosperous, democratic, and European future. Just recently, I met with a number of impressive young people in Akhaltsikhe who all spoke eloquently about their sense of civic responsibility as Georgia pursues its European path. So I’m proud that USAID programs help young people understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens of a democratic country. I’m proud that USAID invests in skills development programs to help students and young professionals get good jobs so they can stay in Georgia and build their futures here. I’m proud that we partner with the Government of Georgia, teachers, and school administrators, to promote civics education in Georgia’s schools. I’m proud that we support youth centers in rural communities so that young people from different ethnic backgrounds can work together to strengthen Georgia’s democracy from the ground up.

Given your experience in various countries, including Libya and Ukraine, how have you adapted your leadership style and strategies to address the specific development challenges in Georgia?

I have had the honor of serving USAID in a number of countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia in addition to Libya and Ukraine, and now Georgia. What I have learned is that each country has its own unique context due to culture, history, and socio-economic conditions. USAID programs need to be well-tailored to local needs, and oriented toward working with local partners who best understand the conditions on the ground. That is certainly the case here in Georgia, where USAID works closely with Government of Georgia partners at all levels and with civil society, businesses, and citizens to ensure that our programs deliver tangible results for the Georgian people. One thing that stays constant wherever USAID works is our commitment to core values like respect for human rights, the rule of law, basic freedoms, and the social inclusion of people who have historically been denied opportunities, such as women, persons with disabilities, and ethnic and religious minorities. I’m heartened to know that the partnership between the United States and Georgia is built on a shared commitment to these values.

Georgia's journey towards development goals is ongoing. Could you provide insights into the progress made and the strategies you're employing to support Georgia moving forward in this direction?

USAID is always adapting our programs to meet Georgia’s evolving needs. We have deepened our partnership to help Georgia take advantage of its unique opportunity to become a candidate for European Union membership. USAID works with the Government of Georgia and with civil society to continue progressing in key areas like free and fair elections, independent and transparent courts, citizen-centered local governance, and media freedom. We have also increased our investment in Georgia’s energy security – helping modernize infrastructure, invest in new, domestic sources of renewable energy, reduce dependence on imports from authoritarian countries, and improve the regulatory environment so Georgia can integrate with the European energy market. In terms of new USAID programs, we are focused on helping Georgian workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, and students get good jobs so they don’t have to leave home to earn a living or raise their families; improving national and local governance so that citizens can access good public services – schools, hospitals, roads, public spaces – wherever they live; countering harmful disinformation spread by the Kremlin and others who want to pit Georgians against each other and disrupt the country’s democratic path; and helping schools prepare their students to contribute to Georgia’s democracy as active and responsible citizens. Those are just a few examples of many.

With your academic background in War and Defense Studies, how has this knowledge influenced your approach to development and foreign assistance, particularly in a complex region like the Caucasus?

I’m glad you asked! I have spent a lot of time in academia trying to understand how international development – what we do at USAID – can make countries more secure, more stable, more prosperous, and more democratic, even in the face of malign influence like the kind the Kremlin is trying to exert here in Georgia. Malign influence takes many forms – disinformation, economic and energy dependence, attacks on civil society, and attempts to undermine public confidence in democratic political processes. USAID partners with Georgia to develop strategies to resist these kinds of malign influence – this is what we call “building resilience.” On a tangible level, we are working with Georgia to improve living conditions in communities near the Administrative Boundary Line, facilitate the development of Georgia’s renewable energy potential in hydro, wind, and solar power while limiting dependence on imports from Russia and other authoritarian countries, make it easier for Georgians to access fact-based media and information that cuts through harmful disinformation narratives, and bolster cybersecurity to protect the country’s infrastructure from cyber threats. All of this helps Georgia protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity as it moves closer to Europe.

How have you engaged with local government, businesses, and civil society in Georgia to find solutions to the country's development challenges, and what successes or partnerships have emerged from these collaborations?

Everything we do, we do together with Georgian society – through our partnerships with national and local government institutions and officials, businesses and business associations, civil society partners, independent media outlets, and engaged citizens. This partnership-driven, local-led approach has delivered good results. For example, in 2022 alone we supported more than 25,000 Georgian farmers and businesses. Our assistance helped the private sector create about 5,300 full-time jobs and generate $269 million in sales that bolsters the national economy. We’ve built partnerships between Georgian businesses, schools, and local governments to fund youth activities and improve infrastructure for Georgians with disabilities. We have also worked with our local partners in communities near the Administrative Boundary Lines to create opportunities – employment, education, civic activities – for people who live in the shadow of Russia’s occupation. In Rukhi, near the Administrative Boundary Line in Samegrelo, we helped a local company called Ecotechnology LLC open a factory that produces charcoal out of discarded hazelnut and walnut shells. They make a high-quality, environmentally-friendly product and create jobs for internally-displaced persons in their community. In the village of Dzegvi, we provided co-funding for a company called Fabrica 1900 Ltd to expand production of 100% recyclable and biodegradable cardboard packaging for hundreds of Georgian businesses, including many who export to Europe and other high-value markets. These businesses employ local workers and meet an important need in Georgia’s economy. Things like these – providing Georgian citizens and businesses with tools and resources so they can improve things in their communities and in their society – is what inspired me to work for USAID in the first place. I could list many more examples, but I know that space is limited in your magazine!

Looking ahead, what are your primary goals and priorities for the USAID mission in Georgia over the next year or two?

That’s actually a tough question – USAID currently invests in approximately 40 different programs nationwide to advance Georgia’s development. But let me identify a couple of priority areas for the next few years. We will continue our non-partisan approach to enable the Central Election Commission to provide advice and recommendations to enhance procedures, and we will continue to support domestic election observation organizations to ensure that the 2024 elections are well administered and provide a real choice for the Georgian people. We will continue supporting key reforms to move Georgia closer to European Union candidacy. We will continue helping Georgia build a modern and secure energy system that is integrated with Europe. We will continue helping Georgian businesses expand and export their products to Europe and other lucrative markets. We will continue helping Georgians in cities and in rural areas earn higher incomes for their families and advocate for the needs of their communities through the democratic process. We will continue creating opportunities for young people to participate in the workforce, vote in free and fair elections, and become the entrepreneurs and skilled professionals who will build Georgia’s economy in future years.

All of this advances USAID’s overarching goal in supporting Georgia, which is the same goal expressed by the Georgian people: to live in a prosperous and democratic European society where all citizens have opportunities to build better lives for themselves and their families. Georgia’s government and people have the chance to build this kind of future, and I’m proud that USAID is contributing to those efforts.