USAID and EU Development Officials Visit Imereti and Shida Kartli to Demonstrate Partnership with Georgian People
USAID/Georgia Acting Mission Director Juniper Neill and European Union Head of Cooperation Nicholas Cendrowicz visited Imereti and Shida Kartli to meet with community members and demonstrate the United States’ and European Union’s long-standing partnership and development programming to support the people of Georgia and advance Georgia’s security, prosperity, democracy, and Euro-Atlantic integration.
During the two-day trip, Ms. Neill and Mr. Cendrowicz met with USAID and EU-supported businesses and organizations, including women entrepreneurs from conflict-affected villages, blueberry farmers who are exporting their products to the European Union, local journalists reporting on issues that matter to communities, an independent living center in Kutaisi that helps persons with disabilities fully participate in society, and civil society leaders and youth who are strengthening the country’s democracy. During the meetings they discussed the benefits Euro-Atlantic integration brings to Georgia, the tangible ways that USAID and EU assistance has benefited the Georgian people, and how the U.S. and EU can continue to effectively partner with citizens, families, and communities across Georgia. During their visit, they strongly emphasized the importance of a vibrant civil society in all democracies, particularly in Georgia where many civil society organizations, including those benefiting from U.S. and EU support, provide services to some of the most vulnerable members of Georgian society.
USAID/Georgia Acting Mission Director Juniper Neill noted that: “USAID has steadfastly supported Georgia since the country regained independence, working hand-in-hand with the people of Georgia as they built a free, prosperous and democratic country. I was so pleased to visit, with my colleague from the EU, both Imereti and Shida Kartli, where we had the privilege to speak with so many inspiring people working to improve their communities, and to see how USAID programs are making a positive impact.”
Nicholas Cendrowicz, the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Georgia, said: “The European Union is steadfast in its support for the people of Georgia on their journey towards European integration. It has been inspiring to participate in the roadshow in the regions of Georgia together with USAID partners and witness firsthand the positive impact of our support. During the visit, we met with various groups, and it was wonderful to see how the support channeled to them has changed the lives of people and their communities. Meeting with community leaders, civil society organizations, and beneficiaries of programs has reinforced our commitment to fostering opportunities and driving sustainable development. This joint visit highlights our shared dedication to seeing Georgia flourish as a prosperous, democratic, and inclusive nation. The European Union will continue to support Georgian citizens, businesses, and civil society as they strive towards a brighter future.”
About USAID’s Partnership with Georgia:
USAID first opened its doors in Georgia in 1992. Since Georgia regained independence, USAID has invested more than $1.9 billion in programs to help Georgia to build effective and accountable public institutions; improved education, healthcare, and other public services; an economy that creates jobs and prosperity for workers, families, and communities across the country; and democratic processes that put citizens at the center. USAID currently invests in 40 development programs that support Georgia in a number of key areas – economic growth, energy security, education, democratic governance, and many others – all of which are aligned with Georgia’s domestic priorities to strengthen its security, prosperity, and democracy and to continue advancing toward Europe. For more information, please visit: https://www.usaid.gov/georgia.
More about the EU in Georgia:
For more than 30 years, the European Union has supported Georgia’s development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation and financial support, based on values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and inclusive economic growth. Find out more about the EU’s support in Georgia here: https://eu4georgia.eu/the-european-union-in-georgia/.