Closing Conference Marks Successful Conclusion of EU Twinning Project on Road Safety in Georgia
the closing conference of the EU-funded Twinning project, “Support in Establishment of Comprehensive Road Safety Database and Further Improvement of Road Safety Management in Georgia“, was held at Wyndham Hotel Tbilisi.
The conference attracted over 80 attendees from various organisations and ministries, including representatives from the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia and Poland’s Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy. Officials led discussions on project outcomes and future steps from Georgian ministries such as the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health.
At the closing event, attendees had the opportunity to learn about the project’s achievements in road safety management systems across all four project components. These achievements were attained through the collaborative efforts of EU experts and Georgian beneficiaries, who were pivotal figures in road safety policymaking and implementation. The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia (MoESD) served as the lead road transport policy authority and was the primary beneficiary of the EU-funded project. Collaborating with MoESD were the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA) and the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC). The MIA oversaw crash data collection, processing, and analysis coordination, while the NCDC managed health sector road traffic injury data and trauma registry activities.
With the support of the EU, substantial progress has been achieved in enhancing electronic road safety databases over the past two years through tailored capacity-building programs designed for road safety data management personnel. Additionally, a robust Road Safety Management system has been successfully proposed alongside the concept of the National Trauma Registry.
With a budget of €1,300,000, the EU Twinning project was initiated to enhance road safety management in Georgia as part of the EU-Georgia Association Agenda. Its primary objective was to strengthen institutional policy-making capabilities and improve crash data collection and analysis methods in road safety.
The EU representative stressed the importance of the event, noting Georgia’s candidacy for EU membership. While recognising road safety progress, he/she highlighted the remaining challenges. Yet, with ongoing support from EU partners and teamwork, Georgians can make progress in improving road safety and creating safer roads.
Mr. Guram Guramishvili, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, expressed pride in collaborating with the European Union, emphasising its significance in enhancing road safety measures within the nation. He highlighted the shared dedication to improving road safety in Georgia.
Mr. Konrad Wojnarowski, Deputy Minister of Poland’s Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, noted, “As Deputy Minister, I am wholeheartedly committed to fostering collaboration between the EU and Georgia, especially in the crucial area of road safety.”
In addition to official representatives, the winners of the 5-minute film contest on road safety shared their insights, highlighting the importance of the EU-supported competition’s focus on road safety. Organised within the EU-funded Twinning Project framework, this contest provided young directors a platform to showcase their talents, capture widespread attention, and raise awareness about road safety in Georgia. The shortlisted 11 films were intended for future use by the beneficiary for further road safety promotion initiatives.
The effort facilitated collaboration between Polish and Lithuanian experts alongside Georgian counterparts, enhancing the policy-making capabilities within key Georgian ministries.
The Twinning project “ EU for Road Safety” is fully financed by the European Union and was implemented by the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy of Poland in partnership with the Vilnius Technical University. The project beneficiaries include the Georgian ministries: The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Irma Gabunia; EU-Funded Twinning Project, “Support in Establishment of Comprehensive Road Safety Database and Further Improvement of Road Safety Management in Georgia”; Email: Gabunia_irma@yahoo.com ; Mob: 599 25 25 05