News
On 8 April 2019, Ajara hosted National Women Business Forum. The event, which has become a tradition, was held for the third time in Batumi and was attended by up to 250 women entrepreneurs from different regions of Georgia, mostly representatives of small and medium businesses. About 50 women from Khulo and Keda Local Action Groups (LAGs) supported by EU ENPARD programme participated in the forum.
The main objective of the forum is to strengthen the capacity of women entrepreneurs, increase their engagement in small and medium business, access to finance, promote their activities and stimulate new ideas. The event is held annually in Ajara and it is organized by Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry with Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ajara, Ajara Business Women’s Association and Women’s Rooms. The main topic of the discussions for this year was access to finances and opportunities for simplifying financial products, strengthening bilateral dialogue between financial institutions and presenting the examples of financial institutions from other countries.
Representatives of Khulo and Keda LAGs had an opportunity to conduct business negotiations with potential business partners and discuss prospects for cooperation. They were introduced with the successful examples of Georgia and neighbor countries. Within the frame of the forum, training was conducted on the following directions: branding, how to expand the business, emotional intelligence and relations with financial institutions. All participants had the opportunity to choose their interesting training and attend it.
The projects “Optimizing the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development of Keda Municipality (Keda LEADER)” and “Promotion of Rural Development and Diversification in Khulo Municipality” are implementing since 2017 with support by EU under the European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD). In Keda the project is implemented by CENN and in Khulo – by the Caritas Czech Republic in Georgia (CCRG).
The main objective of the forum is to strengthen the capacity of women entrepreneurs, increase their engagement in small and medium business, access to finance, promote their activities and stimulate new ideas. The event is held annually in Ajara and it is organized by Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry with Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ajara, Ajara Business Women’s Association and Women’s Rooms. The main topic of the discussions for this year was access to finances and opportunities for simplifying financial products, strengthening bilateral dialogue between financial institutions and presenting the examples of financial institutions from other countries.
Representatives of Khulo and Keda LAGs had an opportunity to conduct business negotiations with potential business partners and discuss prospects for cooperation. They were introduced with the successful examples of Georgia and neighbor countries. Within the frame of the forum, training was conducted on the following directions: branding, how to expand the business, emotional intelligence and relations with financial institutions. All participants had the opportunity to choose their interesting training and attend it.
The projects “Optimizing the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development of Keda Municipality (Keda LEADER)” and “Promotion of Rural Development and Diversification in Khulo Municipality” are implementing since 2017 with support by EU under the European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD). In Keda the project is implemented by CENN and in Khulo – by the Caritas Czech Republic in Georgia (CCRG).
12.03.2019
From February 26 to March 2 Keda Local Action Group (LAG) members and winemakers from the region participated in a study visit to Poland organized with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture of Adjara A/R and EU ENPARD supported project Keda LEADER.
The study tour organized by the Malopolska Region Self Government aimed at exchange of experiences and planning of the future cooperation between winemakers from Poland and Georgia.
In the framework of the study tour participants visited wine cellars, met with local winemakers, learned about their activities and shared experiences on wine-making and maintenance of the vineyards. In addition, meetings were held with the Winemakers’ Association of Winemakers the Malopolska Region and members of the Polish Local Action Groups. In the framework of the meeting with the chairman of the association the partnership between Malopolska and Adjara winemakers’ associations was initiated and joint activities were planned both in Poland and Georgia.
Members of Polish LAGs shared their experience of implementing different rural development projects with Keda LAG members. Next visit was planned to Adjara aiming at kicking off joint projects in the framework of this newly established partnership.
The EU-supported ENPARD project is implemented by 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 diversifying the local economic activities, improving investment climate, and empowering 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 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
More information about the Keda Local Action Group (LAG) is available on the official website: www.kedalag.ge
The study tour organized by the Malopolska Region Self Government aimed at exchange of experiences and planning of the future cooperation between winemakers from Poland and Georgia.
In the framework of the study tour participants visited wine cellars, met with local winemakers, learned about their activities and shared experiences on wine-making and maintenance of the vineyards. In addition, meetings were held with the Winemakers’ Association of Winemakers the Malopolska Region and members of the Polish Local Action Groups. In the framework of the meeting with the chairman of the association the partnership between Malopolska and Adjara winemakers’ associations was initiated and joint activities were planned both in Poland and Georgia.
Members of Polish LAGs shared their experience of implementing different rural development projects with Keda LAG members. Next visit was planned to Adjara aiming at kicking off joint projects in the framework of this newly established partnership.
The EU-supported ENPARD project is implemented by 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 diversifying the local economic activities, improving investment climate, and empowering 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 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
More information about the Keda Local Action Group (LAG) is available on the official website: www.kedalag.ge
07.03.2019
On 1-3 March, nine members of Keda Local Action Group (LAG) and the coordinator from Keda municipality of Ajara, participated in the EU-supported training “Project Cycle Management, Monitoring and Evaluation”. The workshop carried out under the EU’s ENPARD project “Optimizing the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development of Keda Municipality (Keda LEADER)”, was implemented by the Center of Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), the partner organization of CENN. It aimed at improving knowledge/skills in project cycle management with the focus on monitoring and evaluation among the LAG Board members. The training was designed based on the adult learning methods, ensuring active participation of its participants.
The training was the sixth educational activity for capacity building of Keda LAG and the local community in general. Twelve such trainings in different areas will be held in order to improve the knowledge and skills of the LAG board members and enable them to function successfully as a team.
The EU-supported ENPARD project is implemented by 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 diversifying the local economic activities, improving the investment climate, and empowering 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 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
The training was the sixth educational activity for capacity building of Keda LAG and the local community in general. Twelve such trainings in different areas will be held in order to improve the knowledge and skills of the LAG board members and enable them to function successfully as a team.
The EU-supported ENPARD project is implemented by 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 diversifying the local economic activities, improving the investment climate, and empowering 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 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
05.03.2019
On 5-6 February 2019, CENN will conduct a two-day intensive workshop for the Environmental Group of EU-supported GALAG (Georgian Association of Local Action Groups) representatives at Bulachauri Green Centre. The aim of the workshop is to facilitate fruitful discussions concerning environmental challenges in the respective municipalities of the GALAG members, share modern approaches in sustainable development and assist the GALAG Environmental Group in putting acquired environmental knowledge into practice at the local level.
The CENN-organized workshop will cover some of the most pressing environmental topics such as: climate change and narrowing down the topic from a global to a local context; the necessity of forest management and climate-smart agriculture in sustainable rural development; challenges in the waste management sector in Georgia, its solutions and the role of local communities in mainstreaming modern waste management approaches; ensuring public access to clean water and information exchange concerning sanitation and hygiene for all; and the importance of strong and effective natural disaster risk reduction and management systems for building resilient communities.
Currently, GALAG unites representatives from existing Local Action Groups from 8 municipalities in Georgia that were established under the EU ENPARD Programme in Georgia. Under the working format of the GALAG, one of the ENPARD partner organizations, CENN, is leading the environmental direction of the group. Furthermore, apart from the aforementioned 8 LAGs, representatives from additional municipalities where ENPARD will be working under the new action will also join the workshop and will have the opportunity to network and exchange knowledge.
The EU-supported ENPARD project is implemented by 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 diversifying local economic activities, improving the investment climate, and empowering 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 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural populations that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
More information about the Keda Local Action Group (LAG) is available on the official website: www.kedalag.ge
Media Contacts:
• Nino Gaprindashvili, CENN Project Manager, +995 593 92 48 44, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Tamar Khuntsaria, Team Leader, ENPARD Communication Unit, +995 595 98 99 16, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The CENN-organized workshop will cover some of the most pressing environmental topics such as: climate change and narrowing down the topic from a global to a local context; the necessity of forest management and climate-smart agriculture in sustainable rural development; challenges in the waste management sector in Georgia, its solutions and the role of local communities in mainstreaming modern waste management approaches; ensuring public access to clean water and information exchange concerning sanitation and hygiene for all; and the importance of strong and effective natural disaster risk reduction and management systems for building resilient communities.
Currently, GALAG unites representatives from existing Local Action Groups from 8 municipalities in Georgia that were established under the EU ENPARD Programme in Georgia. Under the working format of the GALAG, one of the ENPARD partner organizations, CENN, is leading the environmental direction of the group. Furthermore, apart from the aforementioned 8 LAGs, representatives from additional municipalities where ENPARD will be working under the new action will also join the workshop and will have the opportunity to network and exchange knowledge.
The EU-supported ENPARD project is implemented by 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 diversifying local economic activities, improving the investment climate, and empowering 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 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural populations that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
More information about the Keda Local Action Group (LAG) is available on the official website: www.kedalag.ge
Media Contacts:
• Nino Gaprindashvili, CENN Project Manager, +995 593 92 48 44, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Tamar Khuntsaria, Team Leader, ENPARD Communication Unit, +995 595 98 99 16, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
04.02.2019
During December 20-28, 2018 three groups of 75 grant applicants whose concepts were selected to submit full proposals, participated in the EU-supported two-day trainings on “Project Writing”. The activity, carried out under the EU’s ENPARD project “Optimizing the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development of Keda Municipality (Keda LEADER)”, was implemented by the Center of Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), the partner organization of CENN. It aimed at improving project writing knowledge/skills among the applicants. The topics covered during the two-day trainings followed the structure of the full application form; the issues such as, situation analysis, goals, objectives and activities, timeline, budgeting and cash-flow, etc. were highlighted. Besides the application form, the main requirements and selection criteria were discussed.
The training was the fifth educational activity for the capacity building of local communities. Twelve trainings on different topics will be held in order to improve knowledge and skills of the LAG members and its potential sub-grantees.
The call for full applications under the Keda LEADER is open until January 25, 2019.
The EU-supported ENPARD project is implemented by 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 diversifying the local economic activities, improving investment climate, and empowering 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 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
The training was the fifth educational activity for the capacity building of local communities. Twelve trainings on different topics will be held in order to improve knowledge and skills of the LAG members and its potential sub-grantees.
The call for full applications under the Keda LEADER is open until January 25, 2019.
The EU-supported ENPARD project is implemented by 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 diversifying the local economic activities, improving investment climate, and empowering 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 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
15.01.2019
The Keda Local Action Group, together with CENN and Institute of Democracy (IOD) are announcing the second stage of the grants competition under the EU ENPARD supported project Keda LEADER.
The second stage will open for the shortlisted candidates on
December 20 and will end on January 25 at 5 pm.
The objective of the competition is to ensure the improvement of life in rural communities of Keda by creating decent working and living conditions in the municipality, improvement of the economic conditions and implementation of the innovative projects.
124 applications out of total 306 were shortlisted to continue the competition. Applications’ thematic areas cover agriculture, tourism, environment, youth and education, social projects.
On December 20-28 of the current year, the trainings on completing the full application and formulation of proposals will be organized for all selected candidates.
Shortlisted candidates need to complete the Application Forms and submit it via email to the address This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or bring the hardcopies to the LAG office at 10 Tbel Abuseridze Street, Keda town no later than 5 pm January 25, 2019.
All documents for the completion of the application are available in the Georgian language on the website.
For additional questions, clarification requests or inquiries please contact us:
+995 599 189 269
+995 577 104 833
+995 514 401 001
Please note, the grants competition has the following stages:
Stage I – Concept Note (Idea Competition)
Stage II – Complete Applications
Stage III – Approval of grant
The second stage successful candidates will be notified before February 25, 2019.
The EU-supported ENPARD project is implemented by CENN in partnership with the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Institute of Democracy (IoD) and the Austrian Institute for Regional Studies and Spatial Planning (ÖIR). The project aims to diversify local economic activities, improve the investment climate, and empower competitive agricultural and environmental practices in Keda Municipality via bottom-up strategic planning in 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 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural populations that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
The second stage will open for the shortlisted candidates on
December 20 and will end on January 25 at 5 pm.
The objective of the competition is to ensure the improvement of life in rural communities of Keda by creating decent working and living conditions in the municipality, improvement of the economic conditions and implementation of the innovative projects.
124 applications out of total 306 were shortlisted to continue the competition. Applications’ thematic areas cover agriculture, tourism, environment, youth and education, social projects.
On December 20-28 of the current year, the trainings on completing the full application and formulation of proposals will be organized for all selected candidates.
Shortlisted candidates need to complete the Application Forms and submit it via email to the address This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or bring the hardcopies to the LAG office at 10 Tbel Abuseridze Street, Keda town no later than 5 pm January 25, 2019.
All documents for the completion of the application are available in the Georgian language on the website.
For additional questions, clarification requests or inquiries please contact us:
+995 599 189 269
+995 577 104 833
+995 514 401 001
Please note, the grants competition has the following stages:
Stage I – Concept Note (Idea Competition)
Stage II – Complete Applications
Stage III – Approval of grant
The second stage successful candidates will be notified before February 25, 2019.
The EU-supported ENPARD project is implemented by CENN in partnership with the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Institute of Democracy (IoD) and the Austrian Institute for Regional Studies and Spatial Planning (ÖIR). The project aims to diversify local economic activities, improve the investment climate, and empower competitive agricultural and environmental practices in Keda Municipality via bottom-up strategic planning in 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 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural populations that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.
20.12.2018
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The EU and CENN or its other donors unless otherwise stated.