Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February last year, the world has united in its efforts to help Ukraine defeat the unjustified aggression of its neighbor.
There is no greater evil or misfortune for any nation than war. After witnessing the bravery of the Ukrainians and their struggle to protect their homeland, representatives from all fields, including the business sector, began to help them improve the socio-economic conditions on the ground.
The original purpose of the Alliance of the Georgian-Ukrainian Commonwealth (AUCC) was to deepen the relations between the two countries and promote the development of trade and economic ties. It also aimed to implement business, education, sports, and cultural projects and relations. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Alliance’s agenda changed and it became more focused on helping the Ukrainian people.
The organization has implemented a number of important projects over the past year. Their goal was to provide financial and psychological support for Ukrainian citizens who were displaced from Georgia by the Russian-Ukrainian War.
The success of the Alliance is due to its founders’ vast experience and diverse knowledge. They provide a full range of services in one place for partners and investors, whether it be legal support or lobbying in their best interests abroad.
Irakli Kacharava is the Chairman of the Alliance of the Georgian-Ukrainian Commonwealth. He is a businessman, public figure, and a public figure who has been active in public and business activities on the territory of Ukraine and the US.
“The Alliance of the Georgian-Ukrainian Commonwealth focuses primarily on improving business-economic relationships between Georgia and Ukraine,” says he. “We see ourselves as a potential hub of Georgian and Ukrainian business. We can also work with businesses from other countries who are interested in doing businesses within Georgia or Ukraine. A future investor could be from Israel, the US or anywhere else.
“The benefit of working with us, is that based on the experience of the founders, we create a comfort, called communication. We also have a “single-window” principle. This includes legal support, financial advice and recommendations, as well as lobbying for the interests of an organization in a foreign land.
“Despite the fact Ukraine is currently in a war mode, we are confident that it will prevail and once again become an important business environment. Ukraine offers many advantages to successful business activities. This is attractive not just for Georgian business people, but also European ones.
“For Georgian businesses, it’s important to remember that Ukraine is not only one of the largest markets, but it’s also an alternative to the Russian marketplace.
“Entering Ukraine’s market is easier for Georgian companies than entering the European one. We have the ability to target the EU market but entering the Ukrainian marketplace requires less investment. The demand for Georgian products in Ukraine and the size of its market make it one of our best business partners.
“And now, why Georgia?” We not only convince Georgians and international partners that Ukraine is a good place to do business, but we also do the same for Georgia. We convince our partners that Georgia offers a great market for Ukrainians and international businesses. Georgia has many advantages in this direction, including international agreements, contracts with foreign partners and other partnerships with neighboring nations, which simplify the export of goods made in Georgia to these markets.
“Products can be considered manufactured in Georgia even if raw materials are imported. This is one of the benefits provided by the local legislation, which makes Georgia more attractive for exports, simplifying the activities and allowing businesses to save money and time.
“We should also consider the geopolitical position of Georgia which simplifies logistically a number relations. When we speak with representatives of the business and investor sector, we first determine their area of interest and potential activity and then advise which country, Georgia or Ukraine, best suits their interests. This is true for both American and European companies. We act in the best interest of the business, and with impartiality.
“The fact that our organization was founded by a lawyer, a mediator, a financier, and a lobbyist allows us to offer complete support to our partners, from the initial consultation stage to the implementation of a strategic plan. We call this the “single-window principle,” where companies and investors receive a complete service from one place, which is convenient and comfortable and saves them time and resources.
After the Russian invasion, your organization will continue to implement its original purpose – deepening trade and economic ties between Georgia, and Ukraine.
Definitely. Since February 24, when we realized we had to change priorities, we have focused most of our efforts on charity and support programs, rather than communication with businesses (although we still do this).
We had to change course and put the interests of a united Ukraine, and Georgia, first. In the aftermath of the war, all our human, financial, and partnership resources were mobilized in force majeure to help the victims, and internally displaced people.
Most charity projects were aimed at supporting Ukrainians in Georgia. There was, of course, assistance from the Georgian state for the Ukrainian people. However, this was only for those Ukrainians that entered Georgia before the 23rd of February. We decided to help those Ukrainians who arrived in Georgia after February 23 because they were more vulnerable and needed our help.
With the help of our Ukrainian Partners, we also implemented a variety of projects in Ukraine. We also ran a number support projects in Ukraine with their direct involvement and assistance.
The year of these activities was filled with many challenges, ranging from logistical issues to mobilization of resource, etc. This has been a challenging year, but we’re proud to have made significant progress.
Social Responsibility & Charity Projects
Marika Arevadze, attorney, mediator, director of Strategic Development and Public Relations, Alliance of the Georgian-Ukrainian Commonwealth elaborates on the CSR projects and charity initiatives implemented by the Alliance.
“As we have already mentioned, our priorities changed after Russia invaded Ukraine’s sovereign land. Our main activities and our resources were shifted towards the humanitarian direction to provide maximum assistance for Ukrainians. Irakli’s contacts and activities in Ukraine contributed to this. We sent a large amount humanitarian cargo to Ukraine, to which the people also actively contributed,” Arevadze says.
We organized charity events for the internally displaced people from Ukraine who entered Georgia as a result of the war. One of the largest was the ‘Stronger Together Charity Tournament’ held in conjunction with the Master League. We used the funds and vouchers to pay for medical (lab. We provided legal and other directions as well as services to Ukrainians in Georgia.
“We are implementing a number of other projects, including a brand new initiative, where we offer the Ukrainians living here the chance to take felting, embroidery, and ceramics courses, which will allow them to earn an income and live independently in the future. Art also helps with their psychological rehabilitation.
“We had partner organizations that helped the Ukrainian refugees for free.
“We’re now working on a project that will be launched soon, about teaching the Georgian to Ukrainians. We will be able, with our resources, to help around 50 Ukrainians learn the Georgian Language. Overcoming the language barrier is important for establishing yourself in a foreign land and for employment.
“In terms of employment we also had different programs where we worked with partners in the framework of a memo, so that they can employ Ukrainians. We have thus tried to improve the lives of our Ukrainian friends.
“Within the Alliance of the Georgian-Ukrainian Commonwealth a war-affected Ukrainian Women’s Club has been created. We train Ukrainian women in different directions so that they are able to acquire necessary skills and to be able independently to participate in grant programs for small business grants.
“The Alliance, recognizing the need to empower women affected by war, founded the non-governmental organisation ‘International Center of War-Affected Women’, which will unite Ukrainians, Georgians, and war-affected woman from other countries and take care of all their needs. As a result, not only Ukrainians are affected by the Russian aggression. In Georgia, many women are also affected by war.
What does it mean to be affected in a war? This includes forced displacement and migration, both within and outside of the country. All of these people are deprived their source of income. Women are often victims of physical, psychological and sexual violence. It is vital to focus on their education, awareness and to develop the necessary skills for them to earn an income,” she said.
Future Prospects & Plans
Ana Jalaghonia – Attorney & Facilitator, Chief Executive of the Alliance of the Georgian-Ukrainian Commonwealth, with years of experience managing crisis situations and facilitation, tells GEORGIA Today about the future plans of the Alliance.
She says, “Our activities are not limited to our business activities or to a one-time aid to war-affected people.” “We cover a wider spectrum of CSR which is the standard of a responsible, conscientious organization.
“Our strength and courage are not only a result of our plans, but the number partners who support us in charitable projects. The experience of our founders also gives us the courage to accept responsibility in front of our partners.
“Before continuing to discuss our future plans, let me thank the Embassy of Ukraine for their direct involvement and open collaboration, without which many projects would not have been completed. We also thank them for their appreciation, which they expressed through certificates of recognition that we, as founders, have received for our work. This relationship is reciprocal, which is important. “We’re grateful that Georgians, and Georgian-led organizations, are working to strengthen relations with Ukraine,” Jalaghonia says.
“I want to thank all of our partners who have helped us overcome challenges together this past year. Our organization is an open space for representatives of all groups and social platforms.
“We have big plans for the International Center of War-Affected Women, which includes not just Georgia and Ukraine but also Moldova and Armenia and Azerbaijan. Negotiations are currently underway with representatives from the business sector in these countries. In the future, our plan is to also negotiate with the government, which will enable us to expand both the scope of opportunities and the circle of beneficiaries.
“Yet another large project and a social campaign that we have planned will be called ‘Hominem. The first stage is dedicated to those who gave support and assistance to Ukrainians who were affected by the war.
Diogenes, the philosopher, used to walk around the market square where people gathered with a lantern, saying, “Hominem Quero!” [I’m searching for a human] It is not known if he ever found this human among the other humans. But, we are now on a mission to find the modern humans and show them to you.
“The campaign’s purpose is to introduce the public to those who encourage, support, create opportunities, give hope and support people in need.
The first phase of the project is dedicated to those who have provided support and assistance to Ukrainians impacted by the Russia-Ukraine War.
“I want to thank all the volunteers who have helped in this process and who have supported the war-affected population selflessly.” This solidarity is what gives us the strength and energy to fight for a cause we all share!
In the near-future, we plan to present to the public a number activities, projects and events. It is also planned that we will initiate and implement projects to support Georgian-Ukrainian businesses. We are planning to work more closely with business associations, diplomatic mission, and international organizations. Our goal is to implement more projects that are of great public importance together. Our alliance is not forgetting our original goal of deepening economic and cultural ties between Georgia and Ukraine. A number of interesting initiatives in this direction are planned. This is not an exhaustive list of our plans. The Alliance is constantly updating its partners and expanding its circle. We are open and prepared to cooperate on issues that pertain to Georgian and Ukrainian interests.
By Ana Dumbadze
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