EU Project page - EU for Georgia

Green Economy: Sustainable Mountain Tourism and Organic Agriculture (GRETA)

Project Description

The project is part of EU’s efforts for the development of sustainable mountain tourism & organic agricultural production. It supports small and medium enterprises of Georgia with the purpose of improving their capacities and scaling up. It works with local authorities, public and private sector stakeholders in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Racha-Leckhumi-Kvemo Svaneti and upper Imereti regions.

The project facilitates improvement of business environment and creation of new income opportunities in the two growth sectors mountain tourism and organic agriculture.

For mountain Tourism component, the project:
- Supports elaboration of key policies and documents, including the national Sustainable Mountain Tourism Strategy and National Quality Standards and Control System
- Assists with establishment of the brand for two regions: Svaneti & Racha, and development of products and services;
- Supports establishment of new market linkages and platforms for exchange
- Supporting local Tourism Development Initiatives.

For Organic Agriculture component, the project:
- Conducts assessments of compliance of Georgian legislation with EU requirements and drafts recommendations,
- Works with local stakeholders (authorities, businesses, producers) on better understanding of the new EU organic regulations and increased competitiveness of the organic sector
- Supports institutionalising organic certification and registry of organic farmers
- Supporting Local Development Initiatives.

Specific Objective

To facilitate an improvement of the business environment and the creation of new income opportunities in sustainable mountain tourism and organic agriculture in order to reduce poverty and exclusion in the selected mountain areas of Georgia.

Expected Results

- Developed legal and policy framework for mountain tourism and organic agriculture to enable sustainable and inclusive development;
- Increased employment and income in both sectors due to new and better products and services and through better market linkages, locally, nationally and internationally (at least 20% increase in income);
- Access to capacity development measures for people and institutions active in the fields of sustainable mountain tourism and organic agriculture is improved and a system of knowledge management is in place enabling joint learning among public, private and civil society act
- 400 small-scale business enterprises and producers in mountain tourism, 300 accommodation service providers, 300 other tourism service suppliers, 230 farmers in organic agriculture, 2 certification bodies as well as 76 local villagers and inspectors supported.