Racha-Lechkhumi
print
emailView map of programs in Racha-Lechkhumi
Democracy and Governance
Policy, Advocacy, and Civil Society Development in Georgia (G-PAC)
Timeline: Oct 2010 – Oct 2014
G-PAC helps institutionalize more balanced and effective public oversight of and engagement with the government by strengthening Georgia’s civil society sector. It does this by implementing two interlinked and mutually supportive objectives to accelerate the development of civic leaders and organizations that will: (a) become effective advocates for an empowered citizenry, and (b) provide viable policy options to government reflecting citizens’ needs. In Racha, G-PAC will award up to 30 grants to local civil society organizations ($15,000 for each initiative) to support issue-based advocacy initiatives at the local, municipal and regional levels. Its primary emphasis is on helping regional CSOs to better mobilize their communities to engage with local decision makers.
Judicial Independence and Legal Empowerment Project (JILEP)
Timeline: Oct 2010 – Oct 2014
JILEP supports and strengthens the judiciary as an independent yet equal branch of government, and improves Georgia’s commercial law system. Activities aim to improve the process by which judges are appointed, trained and disciplined to increase their independence and professionalism. The project also further strengthens the state free legal aid system and the legal NGO community, and increases public understanding of the role of the judiciary. It contributes to improvement of legal education both for legal students and for practicing attorneys in Georgia. Finally, the project streamlines procedures for handling commercial cases and enforcing commercial judgments. JILEP supports legal aid, court monitoring, capacity building and state legal aid services through sub-grantees in Tsageri and Ambrolauri.
In addition to the projects above, national Democracy and Governance projects including Political Party Strengthening, Advancing National Integration, and Increased Trust in Electoral Processes serve the region.
Economic Growth
Municipal and Internally Displaced People Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project
Timeline: Feb 2011 – Feb 2014
This project aims to: 1) develop and rehabilitate municipal infrastructure in certain municipalities affected by the 2008 conflict, including significant irrigation infrastructure; 2) upgrade the homes constructed by the
Government of Georgia for persons displaced during the August 2008 conflict and redevelop buildings for use as durable housing for IDPs from previous conflicts; and 3) help ensure overall sustainability of interventions. In Racha, the project will rehabilitate a building expected to house approximately 36 IDP families, as well as improve drinking water systems and internal roads in Oni.
New Economic Opportunities (NEO)
Timeline: Apr 2011 – Apr 2015
The NEO project is designed to improve rural incomes; reduce poverty levels; improve food security; address critical, small-scale infrastructure priorities in targeted communities; enable targeted IDP communities (old and new) to sustainably maintain their households; and assist communities distressed by natural or other disasters. The project will target 10 municipalities and will benefit at least 70,000 households that are considered vulnerable. The project is expected to work in total of 13 communities, with an anticipated 4,100 beneficiaries in Racha-Lechkhumi.
Agriculture Mechanization Project
Timeline: Sept. 2009 – Dec. 2012
This project is establishing institutions and systems for a private sector-driven, sustainable small holder approach to the provision of mechanized agricultural services that are supportive of increased agricultural sector productivity, competitiveness, and profitability. Grants and limited technical assistance are being provided to private sector organizations to procure tractors and related equipment and deliver market-based mechanized services to smallholder farmers. Farm services are made available to IDPs that received land from the Government of Georgia. A mechanization center in Bugeuli will create 5 jobs and benefit approximately 400 farmers.
Women's Economic Independence in the Post-Conflict Zone and Remote Regions of Georgia
Timeline: Sept. 2009-Dec. 2012
The project aims to stimulate women entrepreneurs in Georgia by helping rural women develop business skills and start their own businesses. Innovative training courses and small grants are provided for female IDPs in the Shida Kartli region, as well as for women residing in the remote regions of Georgia, including northern Kakheti and mountainous Imereti and Racha.
Municipal and Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project
Timeline: Feb 2011 – Feb 2014
This project will 1) develop and rehabilitate municipal infrastructure, in five municipalities affected by the 2008 conflict; 2) upgrade the existing cottages constructed by the GOG for IDPs from the August 2008 conflict, redevelop buildings for use as durable housing for IDPs from previous conflicts, and ensure overall sustainability of housing solutions. The project will rehabilitate a building expected to house approximately 36 IDP families in Tsageri, and is expected to rehabilitate Oni city roads.
In addition to the projects above, national Economic Growth projects, including loan guarantees through the Development Credit Authority, serve the region.
Energy and Environment
Integrated Natural Resource Management in Watersheds
Timeline: Sept. 2010 – Sept. 2014
This program introduces innovative approaches to the sustainable management of natural resources to Georgia, and aims to ensure needed environmental resources and services are sustained for Georgia’s long-term ecological health and rural development. It will reinforce Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources (MEPNR) efforts to reform practices in ways that ensure more sustainable resource use for future generations. The program will use technical best practices from internationally accepted integrated natural resource and watershed management approaches and address government structures. It will especially emphasize the balance between economic uses and benefits of water and other natural resources in watersheds with principles of ecosystem protection and sustainable use. The watershed project will work with communities in Oni and Ambrolauri.
Hydropower Investment Promotion Program (HIPP)
Timeline: Mar 2010 – Mar 2013
HIPP collaborates with the Government of Georgia and hydropower investors to attract investments into Georgian hydropower development. HIPP is expected to help attract local and foreign investment to Georgia’s energy sector to add 400 megawatts of clean, green renewable power to the Georgian grid. This new energy will help move Georgia closer to energy independence and serve as a profitable export to rapidly increasing yet underserved energy markets in Turkey and Eastern Europe with a view toward regional economic growth. There are potential hydropower sites in Tsageri, Mamamauri, and Khatchesi.
In addition to the projects above, national Energy and Environment projects, including New Applied Technology Efficiency and Lighting Initiative, GNEWRC Partnership Program, and Black Sea Regional Transmission Planning Project serve the region.
Health and Social Development
Social Infrastructure Project
Timeline: July 2010 – Mar 2012
The Social Infrastructure Program provided enhanced learning and living conditions for orphans and vulnerable children. The project also improved the short-term economic status of ethnic minorities, IDPs, and graduates of the Vocational Education Programs by employing them in the rehabilitation of schools in Lajana, Utsera, Khopuri, Lentekhi, and Choluri, as well as rehabilitating a small group home in Ambrolauri.
Strengthening Childcare Services and Systems
Timeline: Aug 2010 – Aug 2013
This activity focuses on the following areas: improving access to social benefits for vulnerable groups; improving alternative care and expansion of family support services; strengthening policy, oversight and accountability in the childcare system; and addressing the issue of domestic violence. This project supports a small group home in Ambrolauri.
In addition to the activities listed above, national Health and Social Development programs, including the Health System Strengthening Project, Tuberculosis Prevention Project, and Hepatitis B Catch-up Vaccination project, serve the region.
