Donor: European Commission

Project Implementation Team: Georgian Farmers’ Association (GFA) (lead partner) and two co-implementers: Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) and Beekeepers Association of Georgian Mountainous Regions (Ambrolauri District)

Duration: 36 months

Implementation Period: 01.01.2023 – 31.12.2025

Project Budget: EUR 1,958,000. CSRDG share - EUR 580,000

Target Sectors: Dairy, Beekeeping

Target Regions: Guria, Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi Kvemo Svaneti and Kakheti

Short Description of Action

The project has been funded under the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development in Georgia (ENPARD – Georgia), in particular the fourth phase (ENPARD IV).

Target Groups

1. Food Business Operators (farmers (from beekeeping and dairy value chains), producers, producers’ Organizations and Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs))

2. Consumers, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) & Business Support Organizations (BSOs)

3. Consumer Advocacy Groups

4. Media

5. Parliament of Georgia

6. Government of Georgia (GoG)

7. Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia

8. Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA) & MEPA’s Information Consultation Centres (ICC)

9. National Food Agency (NFA)

10. National Environmental Agency

11. Ministry of Education and Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia

12. Local Governments in Georgia

13. Vocational Education & Training (VET) Institutions

Project Objectives

1. Equip dairy and beekeeping supply chain actors (farmers, primary producers, Food Business Operators (FBOs), etc.) with practical skills, knowledge, capabilities and means to promote improved compliance with food safety/SPS measures; 

2. Promote enhanced stakeholder (public, retail, farmers/producers, laboratories, public/consumers, etc.) communication and engagement to advance Georgia’s compliance with the DCFTA approximation regulations;

3. Increase awareness of Georgian consumers, civil society groups and media regarding food safety regulatory requirements and consumer rights to promote informed and conscious consumer buying decisions and increased demand for quality products in Georgia.

Project Outcomes

1. The compliance with food safety/SPS measures is increased among targeted farmers/producers and FBOs;

2. Government accountability is enhanced through stakeholder communication and engagement regarding the food safety/SPS implementation process;

3. Civic awareness and engagement in relation to the food safety/SPS issues is enhanced.

Project Impact

Georgia’s socio-economic development is advanced through improved food safety and consumer protection as well as increased export of food and agriculture products.