“EU4ITD – Catalysing Economic and Social Life in PIRDP Regions” (CESL) is a 7.5 MEUR initiative jointly financed by the European Union (6.5 MEUR) and the German Government (1 MEUR). With GIZ responsible for implementation and the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure as the partner institution, it runs from February 2022 to September 2025.
CESL aims at re-balancing economic and social life in Georgia away from the metropolitan centres of Tbilisi and Batumi. Since it comprises a part of EU’s support for the Pilot Integrated Regional Development Programme (PIRDP), its remit is restricted to the four regions of Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti. The initiative is embedded in the wider national agendas of decentralisation, inclusive economic growth, and promotion of social cohesion across the country.
CESL finances investments and accompanying “soft” measures which contribute to economic and social re-balancing in the following three priority areas: 1) urban renewal, 2) tourism development, 3) income generation and economic activation. For further information, please see the current 1-pager.

The specific objective is “municipalities, businesses, and citizens in PIRDP re-gions realise untapped economic and social potential”.

- Municipalities turn “spaces” into “places”
- Income generation and economic activation are catalysed
- Institutions are enabled to tap unrealized economic and social potential