1. What are the support packages?

Under the EU-funded ENPARD IV program, FAO is looking to provide support packages to beneficiaries. A support package is composed first of mandatory training, and then of a matching grant opportunity to purchase equipment. Both the training and the matching grant relate to food safety.

2. What type of activities will the matching grant support?

The project is implementing various support packages. At the moment, the following support packages are available:

• SP5: “Support to women small-scale milk and cheese producers” looks to provide women small-scale milk and cheese producers in in Tsalka, Adigeni, Gori and Samtredia municipalities and in the Samegrelo region with a training on food safety and a matching grant for the purchase of milking machines, cooling tanks, pasteurizers, vacuum packaging machines, and portable milk analyzer.
• SP7: “Support package for small and medium-sized hazelnut producers” looks to provide matching grants to small and medium-sized hazelnut producers in the five main hazelnut-growing regions of Georgia, namely Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Guria, Kakheti, Adjara and Imereti.

3. What is a matching grant and a matching contribution, and how much are they?

An investment is divided between the matching contribution (paid by the beneficiary), and the matching grant (paid by FAO). The matching contribution will cover 30% of the investment while the matching grant will cover the reamining 70%. Please note that the beneficiary will have to pay first his/ger 30% to the supplier, and FAO will later pay the remaining 70% to the supplier.

Applicant’s matching contribution must be in cash or through a bank loan. No in-kind contribution (such as labor, donated land, equipment, etc.) can be considered. Moreover, it cannot be financed by a grant from another project.

4. Who is the decision-maker and what is the grant procedure?

All matching grant applications will pass the following stages:

1. Eligibility check by FAO
2. Technical revision of the application (which may include a field visit)
3. Food Safety Training (if the applicant has not yet received the mandatory training)
4. Final Decision – Following a successful technical revision of the application, the Application Review Committee composed of the representative of the Czech Development Agency (CZDA), the FAO Project Coordinator, alternate budget holder, and a technical officer from FAO Georgia will take the granting decision.
5. Signature of a grant agreement between FAO and the selected beneficiary
6. Payment of the matching contribution, delivery of the equipment, and payment of the matching grant to the supplier.

The committee award decision is final and irreversible. However, if rejected, applicants are encouraged to reapply with an improved investment proposal.

5. When and how to apply?

Every support package has its own timeline and specifications. Please refer to the specific section on our webpage.

6. What documentation will be required for the application?

Every support package has its own timeline and specifications. Please refer to the specific section on our webpage.

7. Can the FAO Grants Team help draft or provide feedback on the application? 

Yes. Shall you have any question, please contact the FAO grants team by email on fao-georgia-grants@fao.org, or by phone (please see phone numbers in the contact section)

8. How long should I wait for a decision after applying? 

Every support package has its own timeline and specifications. The revision period can last anywhere between a few weeks and a few months.

9. Is an applicant allowed to submit more than one grant proposal? 

If your application is rejected, you are welcome to file another application for a support package. However, an applicant cannot have several applications ongoing at the same time for the same support package.

10. If my place of living is outside the target municipalities, but my farm operates within them, am I still eligible to apply for a grant?

Yes. The support packages consider the workplace location, not the living place.

11. Can an individual submit an application?  

Yes. However, all applicants need to hold legal status. If an individual is not yet registered as an individual entrepreneur, s/he can apply for a support package but will be required to provide a registration form before signing the grant agreement with FAO.

12. Does my application have to be in English? 

No, applications can be filled in both Georgian and English languages.

13. Can I make updates to my application after submission?

Once submitted, the application cannot be amended by the applicant. However, during the revision process, FAO may request additional information from the applicants. If so, the applicant will be asked to share the requested information by email to fao-georgia-grants@fao.org.

14. Will I receive feedback on my proposal if you reject it? Can I re-submit a proposal after it has been rejected? 

All decisions taken by the selection committee are notified to applicants through email. In case of rejection, explanations will be provided to the applicant. If the call is still open for applications, applicants are free to file another application after the rejection of their initial application.

15. What happens if the application is not complete or supporting documents are missing? 

During the revision process, FAO will notify the applicants about the missing information or documents. Applicants will be given a reasonable delay to provide the requested information by email. Failure to do so in time will result in the rejection of the application.