Within the framework of the EU-supported ENPARD project, ‘EMBRACE Tsalka’, the Tsalka LAG has announced its first grants competition.

The grants competition aims at promoting economic diversification in the municipality and improving the well-being and socio-economic status of local communities by implementing projects relevant to the Tsalka Local Development Strategy (LDS) priorities.

Both commercial (non-agricultural and agricultural) as well as social and educational initiatives will be supported within the competition.

The following entities are eligible to participate in the grants competition: Adult citizens of Georgia and / or foreign countries; Legal entities registered in Georgia; Registered agricultural cooperatives; Non-profit (non-profit) legal entities (NGOs, associations, etc.); Legal Entities of Public Law of Tsalka Municipality Self-Government; Cultural-educational organizations and initiative groups in Tsalka Municipality.

The grants competition consists of the following steps:

I step – Submission of project ideas

II step – Project proposal writing training

III step – Submission of project proposals/monitoring

IV step – Interview

V step – Approval of the project and contracting

During the first stage of the competition, interested applicants should submit a completed application form. The application deadline is: April 20, 2020 at 18:00.

All documents to complete the application are available in the Georgian/Armenian/Azerbaijani languages on the following website: https://bit.ly/2wOCPmP

Those intending to participate in the competition are asked to examine the strategic directions identified by the Local Development Strategy of Tsalka and the Grants Manual. Interested candidates should download the application form from the following website: www.tsalkalag.ge, complete it electronically, and send it to: grants@tsalkalag.ge.

Applications can only be submitted in Georgian.

Delayed and / or manually filled-out application forms will not be accepted.

The grants competition will only finance projects that respond to the objectives and directions of the Tsalka Municipality Development Strategy.

For detailed information on the Grants Competition Terms, please visit: www.tsalkalag.ge

Or contact us at the following numbers: +995 551 09 57 71 / +995 599 36 85 65 / +995 595 11 97 03.

The project ‘Local LEADERs Embrace Sustainable Development in Multi-Ethnic Tsalka Municipality (EMBRACE Tsalka)” aims to reduce rural poverty and improve living conditions in Tsalka municipality, addressing economic, social, and environmental concerns by improving agricultural competitiveness, promoting sustainable management of natural resources, and building climate-resilient rural economies and communities. In addition, through the LEADER approach, the project will strengthen family farms, entrepreneurs, women, youth and other local groups by providing access to knowledge, innovations and new technologies, by supporting business development and creating jobs.

The project “EMBRACE Tsalka” is implemented under the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) by EU’s partner organization CENN, in partnership with the Georgian Farmers’ Association (GFA) and German partner organization – Institute for Rural Development Research (IfLS).

The EU is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural populations that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.