“How to Start Freelancing?” – Success Story of Ia Tavdishvili

EU-supported course on freelancing helps people in the region study digital professions

34-year-old Ia Tavdishvili, has been creating her own designs of children clothing for five years. She used to have a small studio in Ozurgeti, but had to close it during the COVID19 pandemic, so she continued doing her favorite business at home in the village of Gurianta.

A mother of three, realised that she needed some professional development to have an additional income. Finally, she decided to pursue a digital career, so that she could work as a freelancer and spend more time with her children. Ia attended the EU-supported training course on freelancing and remote employment opportunities, and after studying digital professions she soon got the chance to work for several companies.

“After completing the course, I got a job in one of the most famous bakeries in Ozurgeti, using my newly acquired skills in digital marketing and social media content creation. I realized that I really enjoyed it and that working as a freelancer was very comfortable for me, as I could spend time with my children and work at the same time. Now that I have improved my professional skills, I’ve started collaborating with a few more companies. I receive private orders as well, also from foreign employers, and not only for graphic design, but also for managing their social pages,” says Ia.

Programming, graphic design, copywriting, digital marketing, social media management – are some of the subjects that Ia studied during the training course.

The online course on freelancing opportunities was organised within the EU-funded ‘Skill Building and Innovative Job Opportunities’ project, implemented in cooperation with the Centre for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Young Teachers’ Union and “Saga” Civic Development Association of Georgia. The project supported opening of six Training and Employment Promotion Centers in three regions of Georgia.

“The aim of the centers is to help strengthen and retain human resources in the regions by using innovative teaching methods and promoting employment opportunities”, – says Sofo Vasadze, coordinator of the Teaching and Employment Promotion Center. She also says that the project included many other activities in addition from the freelancing course, and a total of 250 people finally found freelance jobs.

Ia Tavdishvili was one of the successful freelancers, and now she runs her own atelier, works as a freelancer for several companies and is grateful for her remote employment opportunity. As now she has more time to spend with her children.

“My financial situation has improved significantly after the training course: my income, reputation, and self-confidence have increased,” says Ia. From her own experiences, she advises other women to learn new professions so that they could also have freelancing opportunities. “They can do it as long as they put their effort and heart into it and love what they do,” believes Ia, who now helps job seekers with professional training and career advancement.

EU-GEORGIA

For more than three decades, the European Union has fostered a unique and close partnership with Georgia, supporting the country’s continued development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation and financial support. The relationship between the EU and Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and inclusive economic growth.

The EU and Georgia work together for a strong, independent, democratic, resilient and prosperous Georgia, building European future for its people and next generations.