Austria, September 14-19, 2024 – Within the framework of the EU-supported project “Green Guria – Supporting Local Democracy and Rural Development for Inclusive and Resilient Green Growth,” members of the Local Action Groups (LAGs) from Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti participated in a five-day study visit to Austria, organised by CENN and the Institute of Spatial Planning.
The main purpose of the study visit was for the newly established LAGs to familiarise themselves with the European LEADER approach, learn from Austrian practices, understand the structure of local action groups in Austria, explore the projects they have implemented, and learn how they support local businesses. This visit also aimed to establish connections and foster the exchange of information.
“Following the formation of local action groups, the European Union has been actively supporting their development. This study visit is a crucial step in strengthening the Guria LAGs. Austria provides an excellent example of how sustainable rural development can be achieved through the LEADER approach. By learning the Austrian experience, the Georgian participants gain valuable knowledge and tools to promote inclusive growth and build strong local economies. The European Union is proud to support this initiative, which will help create long-term partnerships and further strengthen local democracy and rural development in Georgia,” said Ketevan Khutsishvili, Programme Manager for Emergency Management, Civil Protection, Rural Development, and Intellectual Property at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.
During the visit, participants explored the southeastern Lower Austrian region of Bucklige Welt, which has been applying the LEADER approach since 2000. They also met with representatives of Austrian LAGs and local businesses, learned about their implemented projects, gained experience, and visited tourist areas.
” It was inspiring to see how the LEADER approach can be applied to develop various projects tailored to the needs of the local population. I am confident that with proper development and resource management, we can achieve similar sustainable rural development in the Guria region.” – said participant of the study visit, Chokhatauri LAG member Natia Khutsurauli.
Representatives from the Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti LAGs and the project-implementing organisation CENN participated in this study visit to Austria.
About the European Union
For more than 30 years, the European Union has built a close partnership with Georgia, supporting its development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation, and financial support. The relationship between the EU and Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights, and inclusive economic growth. More information about the EU’s support in Georgia can be found at https://eu4georgia.eu/the-european-union-in-georgia/.
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About the Project
The Green Guria project, which supports local democracy and rural development for inclusive and sustainable green growth, is being implemented in the three municipalities of the Guria region—Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti—with the financial support of the European Union. As part of the project, local action groups in these municipalities were formed in 2023. The project is Implemented by CENN in partnership with the Young Pedagogues’ Union, the Institute of Democracy, and the Local Action Group of Keda (LAG). The project’s goal is to reduce poverty and improve the economic and social environment, as well as the living conditions of vulnerable communities, through civic engagement, inclusive rural development, and green growth.
More about the project: https://shorturl.at/IJ1qQ