EU, Sweden, Austria allocate €1.16 mln to support Georgian agriculture

The European Union, Sweden and Austria have allocated €1.16 million under the Local Development Initiative (LDI) to support the organic agriculture sector of Georgia.

The initiative focuses on the municipalities of Georgia including Mestia, Lentekhi, Tsageri, Oni, Ambrolauri, Sachkhere, Chiatura and Tkibuli.

Farmers, cooperatives, processing units as well as other actors along various organic value chains can apply for assistance in the initiative.

“Support for Georgia’s economic recovery is one of the priorities for the European Union,” said Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia Carl Hartzell.

Support under the initiative can vary from 5,000 GEL (/€1,436) to 15,000 GEL (€4,308) per applicant, although applicants should co-finance at least 10 per cent of the total budget of their proposed projects.

"Agriculture is a priority sector for Austria in cooperation with Georgia, and in the middle of this crisis we see that agriculture is more and more important. Co-financing opportunities, experience sharing, agricultural input supplies and equipment to smallholder farmers and small-scale processors nowadays are one of the most important actions to economic recovery to be supported,” said Austrian Ambassador to Georgia Arad Benko.

The Local Development Initiative (LDI) is launched under the GRETA project.

"I am happy to note that the GRETA project has managed to continue and advance its operation successfully in the current situation and contributes to employment and income opportunities and sustainable development,” said Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia Ulrik Tidestrom.

Sustainable Mountain Tourism & Organic Agriculture (GRETA) is a four-year project which supports the development of Georgian small and medium enterprises, improvement of the business environment and makes new opportunities for earning income in mountain tourism and organic agriculture.

The GRETA project started in 2019.

The total financing of the GRETA project is €6.8 million and is funded by the European Commission (€3 million), Sweden (€2.8 million) and the Austrian Development Cooperation (€1 million).