Georgia on European Way:
Creation of Effective Model For DCFTA and SME Strategy Implementation
GEO ENG

2nd phase of DCFTA Local Advisory Council took place in Ambrolauri

on 20 Sep : 02:15

On September 14, 2018, Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) launched 2nd phase of the Local Advisory Councils (LAC) in regions and organized the meeting in Ambrolauri. Participants of the LAC included representatives of local civil society organizations (CSOs), SMEs and public officials of local Mayors’ offices and Sakrebulos’ of different municipalities from Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region, as well as the staff of the Information-Consultation Centers (ICCs) operating under the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia. LAC meeting gathered 31 participants, among them 15 representatives of SMEs, 7 CSOs, and 9 public officials.   

The LAC was organized in two sessions. During the first session, meeting facilitator presented  identified challenges and recommendations from the sub-economic sectors for Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region, which have the export potential to the EU single market (bee-keeping, wine-making and producing of dry fruits).  Within the second session, representative of Ministry of Environment and Agriculture presented on-going projects in agriculture in the region, in addition LAC participants discussed the major problems SMEs are facing in producing of Non-timber forest products and Fishing. The identified challenges and recommendations will be presented in the Central Advisory Council to be held on October 30 in Tbilisi.   

2nd CALL FOR PROPOSALS For civil society organizations in Kakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Regions to submit proposals for the TOPIC I & For civil society organizations in Adjara A.R.

on 13 Jul : 17:14

2nd CALL FOR PROPOSALS For civil society organizations in Kakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Regions to submit proposals for the TOPIC I & For civil society organizations in Adjara A.R. for the TOPICS I & II

Sub-granting under the European Union funded project “Georgia on European Way: Creation of Effective Model for DCFTA and SME Strategy Implementation”

Implementers[1] of the European Union supported project “Georgia on European Way: Creation of Effective Model for DCFTA and SME Strategy Implementation” call for 2nd round of project proposals from Georgian civil society organizations in Kakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Regions and Adjara A.R. The project aims to increase and support Georgian civil society organizations’ role in raising public awareness, understanding and support for implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) that has entered into force between Georgia and the European Union in June, 2016. The agreement provides better-matched regulations for Georgian producers to access the European market. According to the survey[2] executed by project implementers in Summer 2017, majority of all interviewed Georgian region-based civil society organizations - 92% - are interested in working on DCFTA-related issues. At the moment of survey only 5 % of civil society organizations identified DCFTA implementation among their fields of activity. Based on existing willingness to step up and play a bigger role in DCFTA-related issues, the project implementers via sub-granting regional civil society organizations seek to, first, enable these organizations to contribute to the on-going discussions and awareness raising about DCFTA implementation, and, second, to become active actors in their respected communities and to engage and inform the public, especially small and medium size producers about DCFTA provided opportunities. 
During the 1st call 53 project proposals were selected. The 2nd call is announced for three regions: Kakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Adjara A.R. The aim is to award up to 7 small sub-grants of up to 1000 Euro each to civil society organizations in above mentioned regions.   

The sub-granting to be based on two following topics:
   I. Awareness raising about DCFTA among Georgian public;  
 II. Awareness raising about DCFTA among regional small and medium enterprises and public servants.   

I. The call for awareness raising about DCFTA among Georgian public is open for regional civil society organizations from Kakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regions, and Adjara A.R., which are interested in working within their local communities and to implement activities focused on informing and educating the general public about DCFTA and opportunities it provides for Georgia and its people. Also, informing the public about existing strategy for small and medium enterprises development in Georgia.
  
The organizations are encouraged to apply for funds that would allow them to execute public DCFTA communication campaign in a form of public events, for example town-hall discussions or other community gatherings involving as broad local population as possible; public product-producing activities, for example, series of articles or educational discussions on local TV and/or radio, or children painting exhibitions; or other initiatives.   

Among criteria when evaluating the project proposals will be following: 
-        an original idea, 
-        preparing more of civil actors able to educate the public about the DCFTA in given region, 
-        reachability of project activities, applicants are expected to reach as many members of local population as possible, 
-        diversity of reached population, applicants are expected to reach as broad population as possible (from schoolchildren to seniors), -        inclusion of ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups, including women and young entrepreneurs, returned migrants, internally displaced people. 

A strong advantage is if applying civil society organizations has took part in the training offered by the project implementer that took place in March-April 2018 in their respective region and shared gained knowledge with their counterparts and community upon return from the training.   

II. The call for awareness raising about DCFTA among regional small and medium enterprises and public servants is open ONLY for civil society organizations from Adjara A.R., which are interested in engaging local producers and public servants by delivering missing skills and information about DCFTA and the “SME Development Strategy of Georgia 2016-2020”. Involvement of these two target groups should variate from téte-á-téte meetings to practical learning exercises during which local producers and public servants will learn not only about DCFTA provided opportunities but would also receive practical knowledge on how Georgian producers can access the European market. Priority to be given to the projects aimed at linking small and medium enterprises with already existing mechanisms from the EU and other donors’ side, for example, EU4Business initiative, aimed at supporting Georgian producers’ exposure to the EU market. 

Among criteria when evaluating the project proposals will be following: 
-        an original idea, 
-        activities that would not be limited to informing local producers and public servants about DCFTA and the SME strategy, but would also provide practical information and assistance that a) would enable public servants to better perform their duties when supporting local producers and those duties that fall under DCFTA implementation, and b) would assist local producers in their search for support and ways how to meet all the EU imposed production requirements and regulations in order to export into the EU, including where to look for required funding or consultative assistance that is being provided by Georgian state and international donor organizations/institutions. -        preparing more of civil actors able to inform, assist and support small and medium enterprises and public servants, 
-        reachability of project activities, applicants are expected to reach as many small and medium enterprises and public servants as possible, 
-        focused reach of target groups – Georgian producers with potential to export in to the EU and to use DCFTA provided opportunities; and public servants working on economy and DCFTA-related issues; 
-        inclusion of ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups, including women and young entrepreneurs, returned migrants, internally displaced people. 

A strong advantage is if applying civil society organizations has took part in the training offered by the project implementer that took place in March-April 2018 in their respective region and shared gained knowledge with their counterparts and community upon return from the training.     In total up to 7 grants of amount up to 1000 Eur each will be distributed in following manner: at least 1 award in Kakheti region; at least 2 awards in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region on the Topic I; and at least 3 awards to applicants in Adjara A.R. on Topic I. and Topic II.     

Requirements for applicants:   
-        to be a registered civil society organization in Georgia 
-        to be a regional civil society organization form Kakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regions, and Adjara A.R. or regional civil society organization with a track of activities in these regions. Organizations registered and based in Tbilisi are ineligible to apply. 
-        to execute project activities solely in the represented region. Applicant can execute activities in more than one region, if chooses. -        to demonstrate experience in executing similar activities/project.         

Application procedure: Project proposal with all required documents has to be submitted by July 27, 2018 via email at info@gip.ge .   

Required documents: 
-        Annex I - Project proposal in the Word Document format. Please use this template. 
-        Annex II - Project budget in a free form. Please indicate all expected expenses. Please ensure to fit all project costs into amount up to 1000 Euro. 
-        Organization’s registration document. 
-        Organization’s financial report for the year of 2017.   

In case of any questions please send your inquiries to following email: info@gip.ge.

[1] The project is implemented by an international consortium of non-governmental organizations and think-tanks under the leadership of the Eastern Europe Studies Center (EESC, Lithuania) together with the Association of Business Consulting Organizations (ABCO Georgia), the Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP, Georgia), GLOBSEC Policy Institute (GPI, Slovakia), Young Scientists Union “Intellect” (Georgia), ATINATI (Georgia) and Association Caucasus Genetics (Georgia).
[2] “Results of the DCFTA Related Mappings of Georgian SMEs and CSOs”, 2017, http://www.eesc.lt/uploads/Initial%20Study%20ENG.pdf 

The Results of Sub-Granting Mechanism for the DCFTA Awareness Campaign is Announced

on 10 Jul : 16:20

On July 6, 2018 the members of the consortium of the European Union supported project “Georgia on the European Way: Creation of Effective Model for DCFTA and SME Strategy Implementation” have approved 53 project proposals from regional civil society organizations. The grant call is aimed at supporting Georgian civil society organizations’ role in raising public awareness, understanding and support for the implementation of the DCFTA.  Among selected projects 24 are dedicated to the awareness raising about DCFTA among Georgian public, while another 29 proposals targeted awareness raising about DCFTA among regional small and medium enterprises and public servants. By the decision of members of the consortium the second call for proposals will be announced in the following regions: Kakheti; Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti and the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. In total 60 small sub-grants of up to 1000 Euro each are expected to be distributed to the  civil society organizations in regions of Georgia within the project.

Members of the Consortium Attended 15th Georgia’s European Way Batumi Conference 2018

on 15 Jun : 10:24

On June 14 – 15, 2018 representatives of the project „Georgia on the European Way: Creation of E­ffective Model for DCFTA and SME Strategy Implementation" consortium attended the 15th Batumi International Conference Georgia’s European Way organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. For 15th times Batumi hosted high-level discussions about the EU’s Eastern Partnership, future of the European project, regional security and cooperation as well as about the successes and challenges of the DCFTA implementation in Georgia. Representatives of the consortium utilized the forum for introducing the project and its preliminary outcomes to high level participants from Georgia as well as European institutions and for networking with other partners and potential donors. 
For more information please visit the web of the conference: http://batumiconference.ge/2018/en

DCFTA Central Advisory Council provided an opportunity for regional entrepreneurs and civic actors to voice concerns to the central government officials

on 12 Jun : 18:49

On 12 June, 2018 implementers of the European Union funded and Lithuanian Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme co-funded project “Georgia on European Way: Creation of E­ffective Model for DCFTA and SME Strategy Implementation” conducted the first DCFTA Central Advisory Council (CAC) in Tbilisi with the aim to deliver problems identified at DCFTA Local Advisory Councils (LACs) to the decision-making level. The Central Advisory Council included 20 representatives of the Local Advisory Councils – each of 10 Georgia’s regions were represented by one civil society representative and one local entrepreneur - and representatives of Georgian ministries responsible for the DCFTA implementation. 
The first part of the event was dedicated to presenting findings of the LACs held in all Georgia’s regions during May, 2018. The most common problems included the following: the lack of specialized education and qualified workforce in different economic sub-sectors; access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs); problems with acquiring certification to be able to export products to the EU market; and the shortcomings of the state-run information and consultation services. Problems related to the general infrastructure - like condition of roads, the central irrigation systems, access to pastures and bee-nomadic areas were also raised. 
The meeting continued by government officials sharing the latest updates regarding the DCFTA implementation. Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia presented its strategy for development of the vocational education in Georgia which has been developed in consultation with the business sector. Under the new vocational education and training programs students will receive 50% of theoretical and 50% of practical experience in respective fields they are intended to work.The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia emphasized the importance of raising awareness of respective target groups to increase the benefits provided by the EU - Georgia cooperation, including the DCFTA. Representative of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia voiced that one of the main challenges, Georgia is facing today in terms of the DCFTA implementation, is the volume of production. Pastures of agricultural land are fragmented  which makes it difficult for single farmers to reach the volume of production sufficient for export. Continuous supply is essential for exporting Georgian products to the EU Market. In this regard, it is crucial to support cooperation of SMEs to develop large-scale productions. Representative of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture noted that Georgia has advanced on its path of harmonization of EU regulations, while additional work has to be done for an inclusive development of the sector. Representative of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure stressed the importance of local actors, be it the civil society or business representatives to raise existing problems to respective local officials and cooperate in search for solution.
The Central Advisory Council concluded by the lively discussion between regional participants and state officials. For example, an entrepreneur from Racha-Lechkhumi region, inquired about opportunities to receive funding under the Enterprise Georgia program, a bee-keeper from Guria region raised an issue to develop a law on bee-keeping in Georgia as there is none so far. 
Another key suggestions initiated by regional representatives included: development of state/donors’ funded special program for acquiring necessary quality certifications in prospective production sectors such as bee-keeping and honey production; production of fruits, berries and dried fruits, greens and herbs; provision of equal conditions of state-owned and private vocational education training colleges; development of sub-sector oriented loan products of private banks, strengthening campaigns and programs that promote Georgian products, both abroad, and also domestically; raising level of awareness about how to access the EU single market. 
All initiatives discussed at the CAC will be passed on the respective Ministries involved in the DCFTA implementation. Indicated problems to be further discussed during the second edition of the Local Advisory Councils in regions of Georgia in September. Respectively, representatives of the LACs once again are to meet decision-makers from the key ministries in October during the second Central Advisory Council meeting.

Benefits and Costs of DCFTA: Evaluation of the Impact on Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine

on 11 Jun : 14:31

Amat Adarov and Peter Havlik, "Benefits and Costs of DCFTA: Evaluation of the Impact on Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine", The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, 2016.

Georgian Trade with the EU

on 11 Jun : 12:55

Information about trade between Georgia and the EU, can be easily accesed here: <http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/georgia/>. 

Strategy of the Small Medium Enterprises

on 11 Jun : 12:50

Strategy regarding the Small Medium Enterprises (SME) can be easily accessed here: http://www.economy.ge/uploads/files/2017/ek__politika/eng_sme_development_strategy.pdf.

“Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part”

on 11 Jun : 12:48

DCFTA agreement “Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part” can be accessed in Georgian via the website of Legislative Herald of Georgia, <https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/2496959> and in English via EUR-Lex <http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:22014A0830(02)>.

DCFTA Local Advisory Council of Kvemo Kartli Region Took Place in Rustavi

on 30 May : 11:43

On May 29, Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) facilitated the Local Advisory Council (LAC) in Rustavi, to discuss the challenges of economic development and DCFTA implementation in Kvemo Kartli region. The newly established Council is comprised of 25 members: 6 civil society organizations, 5 SMEs and 14 public officials, including local Mayors’ offices and Sakrebulos of different municipalities, as well as the representatives of the Information-Consultation Centers (ICCs) operating under the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia.   
The first LAC meeting was organized in three sessions. During the first session, LAC members identified four sub-economic sectors for Kvemo Kartli region which have the export potential to the EU single market, i.e.: bee-keeping, wine-making, fruit growing and market gardening.  Within the second session, LAC participants listed the major problems that Kvemo Kartli SMEs are facing in the four sub-sectors, in terms of DCFTA implementation. Among key challenges influencing SME activities in the region the LAC participants mentioned the lack of necessary infrastructure, especially concerning the irrigation system, the lack of qualified workforce, as well as problems related to comprehensive soil diagnosis and testing. The final session featured a discussion about the recommendations and possible measures to address the problems existing within identified economic sub-sectors. At the end of the meeting, LAC participants nominated 2 delegates (one civil society actor and one local entrepreneur) to represent the region at the Central Advisory Council meeting, which will be held in Tbilisi on 12 of June.          
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