The European Union (EU), in collaboration with the German government, has launched a national program to support sustainable and inclusive growth as well as balanced territorial development and a good governance system for Georgia’s regions.
“Integrated territorial development” is the key to urban and regional transformation, and to reducing socioeconomic differences between regions and communities. It helps coordinate regional development, including its social, economic, and environmental dimensions, and strengthens local democracy through inclusion. The EU is happy to help Georgia introduce and explore this new approach, and to shape lasting solutions for the complex challenges facing the country‘s various regions,” said Carl Hartzell, Ambassador of the EU in Georgia.
The 9.5 million EUR ‘Integrated Territorial Development (EU4ITD), which runs from 2022-2025, is implemented in close partnership by the United Nations Development Program and the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure.
The initiative, which is funded by EUR 8.5 millions from the European Union and EUR one million from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aims to reduce regional disparities and promote social cohesion through a combination of territorial development measures such as urban renewal with actions that promote economic development and inclusion. The program covers four regions: Guria, Imereti and Kakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi, and Kvemo Svaneti.
“The Georgian government has set itself an ambitious goal of designing and implementing a new framework to support regional and local development that is in line with EU standards. This marks a new chapter in the joint efforts of Mzia Giorgobiani and her colleagues to eliminate social and territorial disparities, promote economic development and create equal opportunity for all citizens by using inclusive, smart and sustainable socioeconomic means.
Too often, development projects are too programmatic. This results in a focus on specific sectors and a “one size fits all” approach, which leads to missed opportunities and nuances. EU4ITD is unique in that it deliberately seeks to take a different path
GIZ will invest EUR 7.5 millions to support local economic development. It will help municipalities, businesses and citizens realize the untapped social and economic potential in the target regions.
“Too many development initiatives are too programmatic. The result is a concentration on specific sectors and a “one size fits all” approach, which leads to missed opportunities and nuances. EU4ITD is unique in that it deliberately seeks to take a different approach: first, to be holistic, and to address the social, environmental and economic aspects, and second, to follow a “place-based” approach, taking into account the particularities of each region and municipality. GIZ is deeply committed to these issues, and as such, the organization has a strong institutional interest in EU4ITD’s ability to bring about meaningful change.
UNDP will spend EUR 2 million on decentralization, good governance and institutional development frameworks to support decentralized regional policies.
“No matter where they live, everyone wants a prosperous, livable and sustainable environment built around the principles of sustainability, inclusion and good governance. Our partnership with the European Union allows us to provide Georgia’s regions the assistance they require to achieve these goals. We can also improve livelihoods, reduce rural poverty, and create new opportunities for the local communities.
Hubert Knirsch is the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Georgia. He said, “We are excited about partnering with the EU to support integrated territorial development in pilot regions”. This project will combine urban regeneration initiatives with tourism development measures that are based on the natural and cultural heritage of the regions, and assistance to small and medium-sized businesses in the region.
The EU4ITD initiative supports and contributes to the Pilot Integrated Regional Development Program, the national program developed and implemented by the Georgian government to advance regional reform and decentralization and achieve the goals outlined within the 2020-2025 Strategy for Decentralization. PIRDP financing includes over EUR 54 millions from the EU, and an additional EUR 10 million coming from the Georgian budget.
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