The Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Mr. Carl Hartzell paid an official visit to Keda Municipality of Adjara to see the results and achievement of the four-year work of the EU supported ENPARD project “Keda LEADER”.

The project, implemented by the Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN), helped mobilize local communities and initiate various social and economic actions to improve lives in rural Adjara. Key achievement of the project is the establishment of Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Keda, which has mobilized local communities, brought together civil society, private and public sector representatives and designed local development strategies to meet the local priorities and needs. Through Keda LAG, the EU supported total of 97 development initiatives and helped create over 300 new jobs in the municipality of Keda. These initiatives promote local entrepreneurship and diversification of economic and social activities in various areas, including agriculture, tourism, infrastructure development, education, environment, municipal services, etc.

“The Keda LEADER project has been successful in promoting inclusive rural growth and improving the well-being of rural communities via the implementation of innovative approaches that generate diverse employment opportunities, promote climate smart practices, develop integrated natural resource management, and protect the environment. Over 90 local businesses and entrepreneurs have been supported in Keda that are already operating successfully. As an organisation we are glad to have supported environmentally friendly and climate resilient actions and initiatives such as youth empowerment, eco-tourism, green energy, and agro-tourism,“ highlighted CENN Executive Director Nana Janashia.

During the visit, Ambassador Hartzell met with the members of the Keda LAG and visited the following six project sites in the municipality: Dried Fruit Enterprise “Kerki”, family hotel and winery “Château Iveri”, Luxury Camping “Hill Inn”, Keda Public School, Veterinary Clinic, Shervashidzeebi’s Winery.