On 4-5 October 2017, CENN has hosted a training on the European model for rural development within the framework of the EU-supported project “Optimizing the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development” in Keda Municipality.
The goal of the training was to jumpstart the conversation on the rural development prospects and opportunities available within the project. During the two-day workshops, participants had an opportunity to familiarise with the aspects of rural development, learn about European model of rural development – LEADER approach, discuss and analyse the opportunities and obstacles in the rural development process of villages in Keda Municipality.
Up to 50 participants of the trainings were community representatives who expressed their readiness to be involved in Local Action Group (LAG) activities. It has to be noted, that earlier in September around 70 representatives from 64 villages of Keda had already participated in the same round of trainings.
The EU-funded project “Optimising the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development of Keda Municipality” is implemented by Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) in partnership with the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Institute of Democracy (IoD) and Austrian Institute for Regional Studies and Spatial Planning (ÖIR).
The project aims at diversification of the local economic activities, improving the investment climate, and empower 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 102 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. More information on ENPARD is available at www.enpard.ge.
