On April 17, 2019, Association Rural Development for future Georgia (RDFG) attended the ENPARD IV Stakeholders Consultation Conference organized by the delegation of the European Union to Georgia. The main purpose of the event was to define ENPARD IV programme priorities in two key areas – Rural Development and Food Safety/Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Sector. The conference was attended by the ENPARD implementing partner organizations, the representatives of the public and private sectors and the Local Action Groups’ (LAGs) members from the different municipalities of Georgia.

The event consisted of two parts – the conference itself and the EU-supported Local Action Groups and Rural Development Initiatives’ Fair, where RDFG beneficiaries had an opportunity to present the products from their factories.

Within the first panel of the conference, H.E. Carl Hartzell, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, delivered an opening speech about the Key Achievements and Perspectives under ENPARD IV, within the EU support to agriculture and rural development in Georgia. Then, Ketevan Khutsishvili, Programme Manager, Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, delivered a presentation of ENPARD IV rural development programme direction and spoke about its importance.

Furthermore, Nino Tikurishvili, the executive director of the Tetritskaro LAG spoke about the key achievements and challenges of the LEADER implementation in the Tetritskaro municipality, also, the role and the importance of RDFG’s support, within the EU-funded project “Rural Development for Sustainable Growth in the Tetritskaro Municipality”.

In the beginning of the panel II, Cristina Casella, Programme Manager, Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, talked about the ENPARD IV food safety programme direction. After both panels, the discussions on rural development and interactive stakeholder consultations were held.

Within the Local Action Groups and Rural Development Initiatives’ Fair, RDFG beneficiary cheese factory “Tsintskaro +” has presented its dairy products and gave the guests the opportunity to taste different varieties of cheese. As for other RDFG beneficiary, apple brand “Etno” presented its cognac production.

Within the EU ENPARD programme, over 35 rural development projects in the Tetritskaro municipality, including the sectors of agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, education, social and municipal services have been supported by the EU and implemented by RDFG with a help of LAG. These projects facilitate creation of 180 permanent and 35 temporary jobs in Tetritskaro.

The EU-funded project “Rural Development for Sustainable Growth in the Tetritskaro Municipality” is implemented by EU partner organisation, RDFG. The project aims to improve the quality of life in the Tetritskaro municipality through the introduction of innovative social-economic models and engagement of local private and public sectors in the decision making. RDFG is partnering with the Agro-Technology Association and the Lithuanian Local Action Groups Network to carry out the action.