On October 13th, Kazbegi Local Action Group members and representatives of rural development project visited Local Action Group of Tetritskaro. The aim of the visit was sharing experience to Tetritskaro LAG.

There were discussions and presentations during the meeting. Participants discussed the importance of being a LAG member and contribution of Local Action Group in municipality development process. Kazbegi LAG members shared their experience about writing a Local Development Strategy. They also discussed fundraising process, that ensures sustainability of Local action group.

The visit was interesting and productive for both sides. Tetritskato LAG members mentioned, that it’s good to share experience of international partners, but as EU member countries and Georgia have different contexts, it’s very important to organize such meetings with local partners, who has very good experience in LEADER methodology implementation.

It’s noteworthy, that LAG of Tetritskato has been created couple of months ago through “Rural Development for Sustainable Growth of Tetritskato Municipality” project, while the LAG of Kazbegi was established and works for Municipality development more than 2 years.

Both LAGs agreed, that they should share experience steadily and planned next meeting. Tetritskaro LAG will visit Kazbegi next year, in spring.

RDFG implements “Rural Development for Sustainable Growth of Tetritskaro Municipality” in the framework of the second phase of ENPARD that is based on LEADER model – a European approach to rural development. Fundamentally, it is the energy and resources of the local people that contribute to the rural development process by forming partnerships at a sub-regional level between the public, private and civil sectors. The LEADER approach is associated with local empowerment through local strategy development and resource allocation. The main tool for the application of the LEADER approach to area development and involving local representatives in decision-making is Local Action Group (LAG).

RDFG carries out the project in partnership with Agro-Technology Association (ATA), Lithuanian Local Action Groups Network and the Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania.