The project is a significant initiative funded by the European Union with a budget of €1.2 million. This project focuses on enhancing public health capacity in Georgia, specifically through building genome sequencing capabilities at the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) and aligning with EU regulations and the one-health concept.
The initiative aligns with Georgia's strategic health priorities and legislative frameworks, such as the Law on Health Care, the Law on Public Health, and various government ordinances and strategies.
Mandatory goals of the project are:
Component 1: Approximation of Georgian legislation with the EU legislation on Genomic surveillance performed
Component 2: The national Genomic surveillance system strengthened
Component 3: Institutional capacities strengthened to ensure safety and quality of Genomic investigations
Component 4: Public understanding about the importance of Genomic services increased.

Component 1: Approximation of Georgian Legislation with EU Standards
Objective: Align Georgian laws with EU and WHO guidelines for genomic surveillance to integrate genomic sequencing into public health surveillance.

Sub-Result 1.1: Develop a comprehensive policy framework for genomic surveillance. This framework will cover all aspects of genomic data management, including sample collection, processing, assessment, interpretation, reporting, data privacy, sharing, and protection.

Sub-Result 1.2: Create and amend relevant legislative documents, such as the Law on Healthcare, Law on Public Health, and State Healthcare Programmes, to incorporate genomic surveillance into Georgia's healthcare system.

Component 2: Strengthening the National Genomic Surveillance System
Objective: Enhance the genomic surveillance system through systemic and structural improvements.

Focus Areas:

Strengthen genomic surveillance services.
Improve sequencing and bioinformatics capacities.
Establish quality control mechanisms.
Enhance clinical application of genomic investigations.
Sub-Result 2.1: Develop an optimization plan for the genomic center to improve the genomic surveillance system and address disease threats. This includes a comprehensive assessment to identify gaps and prioritize future interventions. The plan will consider organizational, budgetary, logistical aspects, and potential international collaborations with EU member states.

Skill Development: Acquire new skills through a twinning program to support the National Genome Center in performing regional genomic surveillance and studying Georgia’s population genomics.

Component 3: Strengthening Institutional Capacities
Objective: Build institutional capacities for effective and safe genomic investigations.

Activities:

Assess and build laboratory capacities.
Conduct training needs assessments at the genomic center and SLA.
Train a cohort of trainers for future interventions.
Sub-Result 3.1: Strengthen the capacities of institutions like the NCDC and Lugar Center by:

Training at least ten individuals in wetlab sequencing, data analysis, and quality assurance.
Training five genomic epidemiologists and three bioinformaticians in sequence data processing, data management, and digital library organization.
Organizing workshops with genomic surveillance experts.
Component 4: Increasing Public Understanding of Genomic Services
Objective: Raise awareness about genomic services through effective communication and educational campaigns.

Activities:

Develop a communication strategy and conduct educational campaigns targeting decision-makers, the general public, medical personnel, students, academia, the private sector, and civil society.
Utilize public lectures, workshops, webinars, and educational materials to explain genomic surveillance and its public health benefits.
Share information through websites and social media.
Sub-Result 4.1: Improve awareness among the general public and target groups by:

Providing regular updates on genomic surveillance advancements and policy developments.
Encouraging public feedback and demonstrating the value of public input in shaping policies.
Using pre- and post-tests during public lectures and webinars to evaluate understanding and share feedback through social media and websites.

Overall Objective:

Goal: Enhance the legislative and implementation capacity for Genomic surveillance in Georgia.
Indicator:
Baseline (2023): Existing disease surveillance system with limited genome sequencing.
Target (2025): Genomic surveillance fully integrated into the national system.
Specific Project Objectives:

Goal: Develop genome sequencing capacity at the NCDC and align with EU directives and the one-health concept.
Indicators:
Number of Pathogens Monitored:
Baseline (2023): Surveillance on 3 pathogens.
Target (2025): Surveillance on 8 pathogens.
Global Disease Reporting Networks:
Baseline (2023): Participation in 2 networks.
Target (2026): Participation in 5 networks.
Mandatory Results/Outputs by Components:

Legislative Approximation:

Objective: Align Georgian legislation with EU standards on Genomic surveillance.

Indicators:

Number of Legal Acts Harmonized:
Baseline (2023): No alignment.
Target (2025/2026): Alignment completed.
Legal Acts Compliant with WHO Guidelines:
Baseline (2023): No acts.
Target (2025/2026): Acts developed in compliance with WHO guidelines.
Sub-Results:

1.1: Policy Framework Development:
Assessment Availability:
Baseline (2023): No assessment.
Target (2025): Assessment completed.
Concept Document:
Baseline (2023): No concept.
Target (2025): Concept document developed.
1.2: Legislative Package:
Status of Laws/Decrees:
Baseline (2023): No amendments.
Target (2025): Relevant laws/decrees developed.
Strengthening National Genomic Surveillance:

Objective: Enhance the national Genomic surveillance system.

Indicators:

Genomic Surveillance Protocols:
Baseline (2023): No protocols.
Target (2026): Protocols developed.
Priority List of Pathogens:
Baseline (2023): No list.
Target (2025): List adopted.
Integration into Public Health System:
Baseline (2023): Not integrated.
Target (2026): Partial integration.
Sub-Results:

2.1: Optimization Plan:
Functional Review Report:
Baseline (2023): No report.
Target (2025): Report completed.
Development Plan Status:
Baseline (2023): No plan.
Target (2025): Plan prepared.
Institutional Capacities Strengthened:

Objective: Improve institutional capacity for safe and effective Genomic investigations.
Indicators:
Strategic Plan:
Baseline (2023): No plan.
Target (2026): Strategic plan available.
Number of Training of Trainers (TOTs):
Baseline (2023): None.
Target (2026): At least 6 TOTs conducted.
Number of Specialists Trained:
WetLab Specialists:
Baseline (2023): 3 specialists.
Target (2026): 5 additional specialists.
Bioinformaticians:
Baseline (2023): 3 specialists.
Target (2026): 4 additional specialists.
Genomic Epidemiologists:
Baseline (2023): None.
Target (2026): At least 5 trained.
Public Understanding Increased:

Objective: Raise awareness about the importance of Genomic services.

Indicators:

Communication Strategy:
Baseline (2023): No strategy.
Target (2025): Strategy developed.
Level of Awareness:
Baseline (2023): No information on awareness.
Target (2026): Increased awareness.
Sub-Results:

4.1: Improved Awareness:
Informational Material:
Baseline (2023): No material.
Target (2025): Material developed.
Informational Sessions:
Baseline (2023): None.
Target (2026): At least 6 sessions conducted.
This summary highlights the project's objectives, indicators, and targets for strengthening Genomic surveillance capacity in Georgia, including legislative alignment, system enhancement, institutional strengthening, and public awareness.