16-17 June, 2020, Keda Municipality – Within the EU supported ENPARD projects ‘Keda LEADER’ and ‘Embrace Tsalka’, a study tour was arranged for Tsalka Local Action Group (LAG) members. Within the study tour the LAG members got acquainted with the experience and knowledge of the Keda LAG.
The aim of the study visit was to share experience based on a successful example of Keda LAG. Keda LAG members gave detailed information about their experience on the working processes, selected projects and sustainability of LAG.
Keda LAG has successfully been leading the EU ENPARD project ‘Keda LEADER’ for over three years, within which over 70 beneficiaries have been financed and projects successfully implemented. Sharing the knowledge of successful experienced community members is essential for the future work and success of Tsalka LAG.
Within the study visit, Tsalka LAG members visited over 10 projects of various sectors financed by the ENPARD programme, among which were: family wineries, guesthouses, greenhouses, trout farms, and vineyards.
The members of the Tsalka LAG had an opportunity to get to know the financed projects in details and speak to the beneficiaries directly. As a concluding activity within the study tour, the members of both Keda and Tsalka LAG discussed opportunities of implementing activities together and agreed on future cooperation.
The EU-supported ENPARD projects “Embrace Tsalka” and “Keda Leader are implemented by CENN in partnership with the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Institute of Democracy (IoD), Austrian Institute for Regional Studies and Spatial Planning (ÖIR), the Georgian Farmers’ Association (GFA) and Institute for Rural Development Research (IfLS). The projects aim at diversifying local economic activities, improving the investment climate, and empowering competitive agricultural and environmental practices via bottom-up strategic planning of rural development.
The EU is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural populations that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
Due to the current circumstances resulting from Covid-19, the training will be held online and will be divided across a one week period, with 2 hour seminars per day. The participants will be given both theoretical and practical training.
The group of participants will be comprised of entrepreneurs from the Keda municipality that are funded through the overall project. The aim of the training is to improve the beneficiaries’ marketing and PR skills in order to support their businesses.
The EU is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia is focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural populations that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
CENN, together with the Institute of Democracy (IOD) and Keda LAG, is announcing the 4th grants competition under the EU-supported ENPARD project, ‘Keda LEADER’.
The grant competition starts on March 30 and will end on April 30 at 17:00.
The objective of the grants competition is to improve the well-being and livelihoods of local Keda communities, enhance economic opportunities in rural areas and implement innovative projects in line with the program, ‘Keda Leader’as well as local development strategy priorities.
The priority areas of the grants competition include:
- Agriculture, primary production, as well as processing local products and regional value chain development;
- Promoting tourism development (arrangements for family-run hotels and wine-cellars will only be financed in special cases);
- Non-agriculture activities;
- Education, culture, and sports;
- Environmental protection and sustainable resource management;
- Social and non-commercial activities.
Both commercial and social projects and initiatives will be supported within the competition.
Participation is open to both individuals and legal entities registered in Georgia, who implement or plan to implement their activities in Keda Municipality.
Those intending to participate in the competition are asked to examine the strategic directions identified by the Local Development Strategy of Keda and the Grants Manual. Interested candidates must complete the Application Forms and submit it to the following email address
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
All documents to complete the application are available in the Georgian language on the following link: https://bit.ly/2Us6if9
For additional questions, please contact us:
+995 599 189 269
+995 577 104 833
+995 514 401 001
Please note, the grants competition consists of the following stages:
Stage I – Applications
Stage II – Interview and monitoring
Stage III – Approval of Grant
Due to the situation caused by the COVID-19 the applications can only be submitted electronically.
Applications can only be submitted in Georgian. The foreign language documentation attached to the application must be accompanied by a notarized Georgian translation.
Within the EU ENPARD-supported project ‘Keda LEADER’, CENN, the Institute for Democracy (IoD) and the Local Action Group (LAG), are launching a grants competition: ‘New Challenges - New Opportunities’ designed to respond quickly to the new challenges facing Georgia as a result of the "COVID-19" pandemic caused by the spread of the coronavirus.
The grants competition starts on March 27 and will end on April 13 at 18:00.
The priority areas of the grants competition include:
- Promotion of online formal and non-formal education
- Increase public awareness, including on virus safety rules
- Promoting the involvement of vulnerable groups in public life
- Improving access to services
- Supporting capacity building of health care professionals
Initiatives should be connected to the Keda municipality.
Maximum grant amount: EUR 3,000 equivalent in GEL.
The following entities are eligible to apply for the competition:
- A public or private legal entity, including educational institutions
- Civil society representatives, including initiative groups
- Cooperatives
- Local Government and Governance Bodies
Applicants may submit only one application for the grant competition.
All documents to complete the application are available in the Georgian language on the following link: https://bit.ly/2wGctDs
Applications can only be submitted in Georgian.
The application (application form, action plan and budget) should be submitted electronically at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The subject should indicate the name of the grant competition - Grant Competition: New Challenges - New Opportunities.
The deadline for submission of applications is April 13, 2020, 18:00.
Late or inappropriate applications will not be considered.
In case of any additional questions about above mentioned grant competition, please contact the Chair of the Keda LAG, Giorgi Abuladze, +995 577 17 37 06
February 26, 2020. Within the EU ENPARD supported project “Keda LEADER” 14 youth participated in “the GREAT Music Show” that took place in the Keda LAG office.
The EU-supported ENPARD project is implemented by CENN in partnership with the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Institute of Democracy (IoD) and the Austrian Institute for Regional Studies and Spatial Planning (ÖIR). The project aims to diversify local economic activities, improve the investment climate, and empower competitive agricultural and environmental practices in Keda Municipality via bottom-up strategic planning in rural development.
The EU is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural populations that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
February 25, 2020. Bulachauri - representatives of The European Union-supported ENPARD program in Georgia, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Ministry of Agriculture of Ajara AR and ENPARD implementing partners gathered at the next Steering Committee meeting organised by ENPARD partner CENN under the organization’s ongoing EU-supported projects, “Keda LEADER” and “Embrace Tsalka.” The event took place at the Bulachauri Green Center and aimed to introduce the activities carried out and planned within the projects, exchange information and recommendations among involved counterparts and develop future cooperation.
Opening remarks were delivered by CENN’s Executive Director, Nana Janashia. During the meeting, the delegation of the European Union to Georgia - Project Officer Mrs. Ketevan Khutsishvili and Attaché, Programme Officer of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Safety, Mr. Georges DEHOUX, addressed the participants and talked about the importance of a bottom-up approach:
“The main purpose of our meeting is to share the experiences gained within the projects and the challenges we have faced since the project implementation up until now, which should be of interest to the Steering Committee members. The EU Delegation to Georgia, the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection of Adjara, representatives of various LAGs and stakeholders are taking part in the event, which is a good opportunity to share opinions and perspectives from different points of view. Many thanks to the EU Delegation to Georgia for both political and financial assistance, as they are both very important for the democratic development of the country. It is noteworthy that we held a meeting of the Advisory Board for the Rural Development Program in the village of Bulachauri Green Center, where local women are employed. ” – Nana Janashia
"I am very pleased that the interest the regions have in the development of the region at the local level is more in the case of EU funding for Georgia. The slow but steady progress that accompanies rural development in this country is at the forefront of democratic processes. What the EU is doing in Georgia is to promote democratic reforms with the logic of what democracy should be based on. The development of agriculture should begin with the direct involvement and identification of the needs of those who are facing current challenges. We, on the one hand, define the Georgian political line and on the other hand, the resource contributors to the development of the country's agriculture and statehood through democratic principles, local needs and the application of the bottom-up approach. The role of the various implementing organizations and actors involved in achieving this development is important, as is the state's readiness and support. It is also important for LAGs to promote sustainability so that they can continue to operate as projects finish. ” – Ketevan Khutsishvili
“I very much believe in a bottom-up approach not only for local development, but also for local democracy, this is something that is extremely important. What you are building now will be very important for the future of Georgia. We are glad that you are following the EU approach, but it is important to make it your own, because you are not in the same context as other EU countries. You should find ways that will be beneficial for your communities and recognition and openness from the government is crucial for better future development and sustainability.” - Mr. Georges Dehoux
In addition, presentations were conducted by the Chairs of the Keda and Tsalka LAGs, who spoke about the current state and future plans of the ENPARD project and LAG activities in Keda and Tsalka Municipalities. In addition, a number of possible joint initiatives aiming at strengthening partnerships between Georgian LAGs and their corresponding municipalities were announced. Other respective guests included Nodar Kereselidze, the National Project Manager at UNDP Georgia, who gave an overview of the planned actions within ENPARD III; and Juba Maruashvili, Senior National Grant Management Expert for FAO-ENPARD projects in Georgia, who presented on the points concerning FAO support for the agriculture sector in Georgia under ENPARD III.
During the meeting, a panel discussion was held in which participants talked about existing challenges and opportunities that LAGs face today. Representatives from government entities, implementing organizations and members of the LAGs discussed the importance of a bottom-up approach and the importance of the sustainability of LAGs at the local governing level.
“It is very good that we meet and discuss rural development issues in detail. One of our top priorities is rural development, and we must say that we already have a small enterprise development grant this year, and in cooperation with local people and LAGs, we will strive to advance this priority. In addition, the recognition and promotion of civil society and LAGs by the state is important for a better future of the village, the region and the country.” - Jambul Khozrevanidze, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection of Ajara AR
The following topics were also discussed at the meeting: The European Green Deal and its connection to Georgia; the effectiveness of the LEADER approach, the importance of Waste Management, Green Economy, Community Mobilization and LAGs’ involvement in the decision-making processes and the importance of cooperation between different governmental institutions and LAGs.
At the end of the meeting, the participants agreed to carry out activities in co-ordination with the ongoing projects and interested stakeholders.
The EU-supported ENPARD projects “Embrace Tsalka” and “Keda Leader are implemented by CENN in partnership with the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Institute of Democracy (IoD), Austrian Institute for Regional Studies and Spatial Planning (ÖIR), the Georgian Farmers’ Association (GFA) and Institute for Rural Development Research (IfLS). The project aims at diversifying local economic activities, improving the investment climate, and empowering competitive agricultural and environmental practices in Keda Municipality via bottom-up strategic planning of rural development.
The EU is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
Media Contacts:
- Marie Kikvadze, CENN Communications Assistant, +995 577 95 90 20, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The EU and CENN or its other donors unless otherwise stated.