On August 21-25, 2019, within the TNC project “Horse Industry: Possibilities Today and in Future”, Tetrirskaro Local Action Group (LAG) together with Lagodekhi and Borjomi LAGs visited Latvia to meet with the representatives of the Latvian LAG. The main purpose of the event was to share the Latvian experience of organizing and developing the horse industry and to get acquainted with the local legislative regulations. The representatives of the Association Rural Development for Future Georgia (RDFG), CARE and Mercy Corps, also the experts and business representatives have attended the event.

In the framework of the visit, the members of the Georgian LAGs had an opportunity to visit and tour around the horse-riding businesses and EU funded projects. They have also met with the representatives of the Equestrian Federation of Latvia and the Municipality of Engure, attended the competition (jump over obstacles) and visited wine and strong alcohol enterprises, as well. Furthermore, they have also been hosted at the well-equipped Latvian University of Agriculture (equine clinic) which was very much impressive for them. Besides, they have got acquainted with the services Latvian horse businesses offer their customers.

The visit to Latvia was very fruitful for the representatives of the Tetritskaro, Lagodekhi and Borjomi LAGs as they have found out a lot of new information about the equine industry including the legislative regulations based on which they will be able to deal with different cases in the future.

The event in Latvia is the second meeting between the Georgian and Latvian LAG representatives. On May 3, 2019, the Tetritskaro, Lagodekhi and Borjomi Local Action Groups (LAGs) hosted the Latvian LAG at the RDFG Tetritskaro Office. The event aimed to share Georgian experience of equine industry and discuss the challenges in this field.

The aim of the TNC project “Horse Industry: possibilities today and in future” is to promote the competitiveness of equine industry: stables, horse breeders, horse farms, tourism farms and their services, by developing a cooperation network of local and foreign horse breeders, promoting the exchange of good practice, experiences and adapting them in local area. Within the project, partnership agreement is signed between the Local Action Groups from Latvia, Finland and Georgia, including the Tetritstkaro LAG led by its executive director Nino Tikurishvili.

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.