Promoting Rural Development in Mestia
PMC Research, within the European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development III (ENPARD III), is working together with Care Austria to promote rural development in the municipality of Mestia in Georgia.
The main objective of the project is to address the challenges associated with poverty and unemployment in the municipality and to enhance the wellbeing of the population of Mestia by applying the LEADER/Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) methodology.
To implement this methodology, we will bring together local government officials, farmers, CSOs, youth groups, business owners and other stakeholders to unite them under a local action group (LAG), and encourage them to play a vital role in the development of their municipality.
After identifying the challenges faced by Mestia municipality, PMC Research together with the LAG will elaborate a local development strategy.
“We have already started to hold community meetings, during which we are identifying potential LAG members, who will elaborate a local development strategy, reflecting the needs of the people and a vision of the further development of Svaneti region as a whole,” said Ms. Elene Ganaia, LAG Coordinator.
“Women and young people’s participation is quite high, which gives us hope that the implementation of the project will be equitable,” added Ms. Ganaia.
Ultimately, the project will improve the economic situation in Mestia municipality by developing tourism, local businesses, and agricultural production.
Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project: