The "EMBRACE Tsalka" project to implement the LEADER approach started with a large opening event in Tsalka on March 19, in the severely disadvantaged region of Lower Cartlia in South Georgia. The LEADER approach is intended to improve the situation particularly for small farmers, businesses, women, young people and other local actors. The focus lies on the region's agricultural and tourist development potential, networking and cooperation of civil society groups and the provision of training and further education measures.
The project is met with great interest among the population and regional actors, as there have been few initiatives to combat poverty and improve living conditions in the region - although the need is great due to a population that has shrunk sharply in recent years, a deteriorated infrastructure and conflicts between different population groups.
Over the next four years, Simone Sterly and Ulrich Gehrlein from IfLS will accompany, advise and train the actors of the non-governmental organisation CENN (Caucasus Environmental NGO Network) and the region in establishing a Local Action Group, preparating a strategic plan and selecting and implementing projects. Tsalka is one of four new LEADER regions in Georgia financed by the ENPARD programme. In addition to CENN, the Georgian Farmers' Association (GFA) is a partner in the implementation of the project.
You can find more information here:
Contact persons at IfLS: Simone Sterly (sterly[at]ifls.de) and Dr. Ulrich Gehrlein (gehrlein[at]ifls.de)
