Rapid Evaluation of Outcomes of the Georgia National Innovation Ecosystem (GENIE) Project

This project entails carrying out a rapid evaluation of the outcomes of the Georgia National Innovation Ecosystem (GENIE) project spanning March 2016 to October 2021.

This rapid evaluation project will focus on the outcomes rather than outputs, and will assess the degree to which these programs influence Georgia’s innovation ecosystem beyond direct beneficiaries. To the extent possible, the project will also evaluate the outcomes of the Regional Innovation Hubs and the Community Innovation Centres that were established through the GENIE project.

The evaluation will focus on the following three components of the GENIE project:

• Creation of innovation infrastructure;
• Ensuring innovative support services; and
• Funding of innovations.

The project employs a mixed-method evaluation approach, combining quantitative surveys and desk research including qualitative interviews with key stakeholders and purposive case studies. Based on the study results and conclusions, the project aims to enable the World Bank, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, and the Ministry of Finance to evaluate the successes and shortcomings of the GENIE project, allowing for more informed discussions of the options for future support.

In the course of this project, PMC RC will carry out the following tasks:

• Conduct qualitative analysis through reviewing documents and online sources, interviewing key stakeholders and conducting four purposive case studies; and
• Conduct quantitative analysis through administering one online survey with more than 160 respondents in total, and processing additional relevant data provided by stakeholders.

The GENIE project was financed by the World Bank and implemented by Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA), under the administrative oversight of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (MoESD). The GENIE project was aimed at reforming Georgia’s national innovation ecosystem by introducing an entrepreneurship support program with incentives for the uptake of digital technologies by businesses and individuals. The ultimate goal of the project entailed productivity growth, shared prosperity, and adding value to jobs and exports.