From 25 to 31 October, CENN, in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape (BFW), organized a study tour to Austria for 13 women entrepreneurs from Georgia.
The tour aimed to share the experience of Austrian green businesses and introduce practical approaches to transforming forest resources, natural assets and agriculture into sustainable economic activities. Participants visited ten sites and explored business models related to organic production, ecotourism, environmental education, and nature-based health and recreation services.
As part of the focus on organic production and value chain development, participants learned about edible and medicinal mushroom cultivation at Waldviertler Pilzgarten, organic tea and spice production at Sonnentor, and the cultivation and processing of medicinal plants at Biokräuterei Mathiasnhof. Particular attention was given to the entire production cycle, from cultivation and processing to marketing, as well as cooperation with local farmers and bringing products to market.
The nature-based tourism component included visits to Trailpark Mauerbach, Wildpark Grünau and Naturpark Sparbach. Participants explored approaches to managing mountain biking trails, nature conservation, scientific research and the development of ecotourism services.
Another key theme was forest pedagogy and environmental education. At NaturPlus and Waldschule Almtal, participants learned about outdoor learning methods and educational programmes for children and adults. They also explored the experience of Waldschule Almtal, which has been run by the Wolf family for 30 years.
Participants also discovered the links between nature and health. At Auszeithof Enk, a Green Care farm, they learned how farms can serve as spaces for relaxation and well-being. The programme also included a visit to Heilwald Göttweig, Austria’s first certified healing forest, where the natural environment is used to promote health and well-being.
The visits provided participants with an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the operations, business models and development pathways of small enterprises, and to explore how similar approaches could be adapted to rural communities in Georgia.
The Austrian experience is particularly relevant to Georgia, where forest resources, biodiversity, traditional knowledge and agricultural potential offer significant opportunities for rural economic diversification. Local product development and processing, ecotourism, and forest-related educational and recreational services can create additional sources of income, particularly for women and forest-dependent rural communities.
The study tour was organized within the framework of project “GREEN Caucasus – Enhancing Green Rural Economy and Energy in Georgia,” which is implemented by CENN with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and in cooperation with BFW.Women’s
The project aims to reduce poverty, improve livelihoods and strengthen climate resilience in rural communities. Expanding women’s economic opportunities and promoting sustainable activities based on forest resources are important components of this effort.