Issue #1258

Issue no: 1258

• AUGUST 7 - 13, 2020 • PUBLISHED WEEKLY

PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue...

Condoleezza Rice: Georgia Should Build its Own Democracy NEWS PAGE 2

The Balance of Strength in the Black Sea Region & Georgia’s Current Challenges. Part II POLITICS PAGE 4

FOCUS ON POWER STRUGGLES

Twelve years since the 2008 war

PAGE 4

Austria & Georgia – a Promising Partnership on the European Market OP-ED BY AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR TO GEORGIA, ARAD BENKÖ

A

ustrian-Georgian relations go way back to the times when Austria was still a monarchy. In the late 19th century Georgia was a transit country for oil from the Caspian Sea towards the Black Sea and about 200 Austro-Hungarian citizens settled in Tbilisi and Batumi. One of the settlers that had nothing to do with oil was a writer and peace activist, Bertha von Suttner. She stayed for nine years in Georgia and her experiences during the Ottoman-Russian war led her to become a pacifist. She won the Noble Peace Price in 1905!

During the Soviet Union era our bilateral relations were mostly of a cultural nature and reflected that both countries are small in size but big in the world of culture and art.

In 2016 we opened the Embassy for various reasons. On the one hand we had witnessed a strong increase of bilateral activities from development aid, cultural and scientific corporation, coordination in police matters as well as in the business sector.

Continued on page 8

Impact of COVID-19 on Remittance Inflows in Georgia BUSINESS PAGE 6

Sustainability & Corporate Citizenship as a Priority BUSINESS PAGE 7

USAID/Georgia Economic Growth Office on the USAID YES Program SOCIETY PAGE 9

Israeli Embassy Donates to Peace Cathedral SOCIETY PAGE 10

British Council Announces Winners of the ‘Creative Spark’ Big Idea Challenge 2020 in Georgia SOCIETY PAGE 11 Prepared for Georgia Today Business by

Markets As of 03ͲAugͲ2020

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Bank of Georgia (BGEO LN)

GBP 7.73

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+0,5%

+1,3%

Georgia Capital (CGEO LN)

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GBP 3.71

+0,1%

Ͳ22,8%

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102.57 (YTM 3.06%)

+0,1%

+0,3%

GHG (GHG LN)

GBP 0.68

Ͳ2,0%

Ͳ29,6%

GRAIL 07/22

102.94 (YTM 6.11%)

Ͳ0,2%

+0,9%

TBC Bank Group (TBCG LN)

GBP 7.91

+5,5%

Ͳ12,3%

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100.88 (YTM 5.67%)

Ͳ0,3%

+1,3%

Price

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44,15

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3,0754

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1 976,98

+1,8%

+11,3%

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3,6173

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+5,5%

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MSCI EM EE MSCI EM

GBP / USD

0,7648

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1 077,87

+0,4%

+4,3%

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3 294,61

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0,9178

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2 108,99

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73,1223

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GT Index (GEL)

1 582,68

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TRY / USD

6,9512

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GT Index (USD)

1 208,13

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Ͳ

AZN / USD

1,7000

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2

NEWS

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 7 - 13, 2020

Frontera Employees Demand Immediate Repayment of 1 million GEL Debt

BY ANA DUMBADZE

E Gov't to Pay Citizens’ Utility Bills for Another 4 Months

BY ANA DUMBADZE

T

he government will pay the utility bills of citizens in November, December, January and February, Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia announced today.

In his words, in order to compensate for the decrease in household incomes and loss of jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic, the government decided to extend the communal service bills sup-

mployees of the oil company 'Frontera' held another rally in Dedoplistskaro on Tuesday.

The demand of the protesters is still unchanged - immediate repayment of the existing debt.

The debt amounts up to 1 million GEL. Employees of the company appealed to the court after they were fired by management without explanation.

"We are not paid our salaries, and the court dispute through which we are demanding the repayment of the debt is delayed. Today we have given the company the opportunity to export raw materials, however, they still are not going to satisfy our demand," said the protesters. The arbitration dispute in the Hague court ended with the victory of the Georgian state.

After the Georgian government won a case in international arbitration against a scofflaw American oil company, the

company’s supporters in Congress have accused the ruling party in Tbilisi of doing Russia’s bidding.

The Georgian government has decided not to terminate its contract with Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation and to allow the company to continue operating in the part of the original contract area where oil production has been

underway since Soviet times, about 1% of the state search area, as about 99% of this area has already been returned by Frontera to the state in accordance with the arbitrage decision.

The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development explains that the decision of the state is conditioned by the strategic goals of the country.

port program for 4 months in winter.

"The principle will be the same - the consumption of 200 kilowatts of electricity and also 200 m3 of natural gas will be compensated by the government," the PM stated at the Coordinating Council's meeting.

Within the framework of the communal service bills support program, the Georgian Government fully funded the utility bills of those households who consumed less than 200 kilowatts of electricity and 200 m3 of natural gas per month in March, April and May 2020.

Germany Provides Georgia €170 mln Loan & €28.5 mln Grants Source: Voice of America

Condoleezza Rice: Georgia Should Build its Own Democracy

BY ANA DUMBADZE

BY BEKA ALEXISHVILI

A

n agreement was signed between the Georgian Government and the German Federal Republic, according to which Germany is to lend 170 million Euros to the Georgian administration and an additional 28.5 million Euros as a grant.

The document was signed by the Georgian Finance Minister, Ivane Machavariani, and the Ambassador of Germany to Georgia, Hubert Knirsch.

According to the Georgian Finance

Ministry, the loan and grant will be allocated towards urban development, establishing and refurbishing touristic infrastructure, energy efficiency, and ultimately environmental safety.

“This project will be directed towards developing tourism and at the same time, safeguarding the country’s nature. We are thankful to the Georgian government for their effective cooperation, which has been growing along these years between our two countries. I am pleased because in the following years I will be able to see how these projects will be realized,” said the German Ambassador.

To date, Georgia has received about 1 billion Euros in aid from Germany.

T

he former State Secretary Condoleezza Rice said that Georgia should build its own democracy and economy in order to cope with difficult international circumstances, while the international community can only assist in this process.

"Everything starts with good governance at home," she pointed out.

Rice commented on the matter at Aspen Security Forum in response to the VOA's question with regard to how Georgia should cope with growing Russian aggression 12 years after the Russian invasion of Georgia.

"First, let me just say that as I said to the Georgians and at that time to Ukrainians, the international circumstances may not be very propitious. But you have to build your own country, have to build your own democracy, have to build your own economy. You have to have the right rules and laws for economic development and the international system can help, but it starts with good governance at home. Georgian democracy has had its ups and downs. But It's survived and I think that's a good sign", she stated.

Rice also noted that it's important to identify where to deter Vladimir Putin.

"Where Putin needs to be deterred, you have to deter him. It's one of the reasons why I think if we're going to move forces out of Germany, moving them further east is a good idea. Because

the truth of the matter is we've never actually just been dependent on what the President says to deter even the Soviet Union.

It was the presence of American soldiers in Germany that deterred the Soviet Union. I think we can do more in NATO to deter and I think we can do more to help countries that are facing the threat from Russia," stressed Rice.

The second issue addressed by the former Secretary of State was the growing dissatisfaction of the Russian people, as evidenced by the ongoing mass protests in Khabarovsk. Rice says there are many people in Russia who share Western values. "We need a very nuanced approach towards the Russian people and we need to encourage those who want to see a different Russia," she said.

4

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 7 - 13, 2020

The Balance of Strength in the Black Sea Region & Georgia’s Current Challenges. Part II

BY VICTOR KIPIANI, GEOCASE CHAIR

T

he lack of balance along the Alliance’s eastern flank could be corrected in several ways. Directly linked to Georgia, one of these ways would involve developing and following various specific approaches within both multilateral as well as bilateral formats, as I have often explained over the years.

Since we are now discussing collective security and NATO’s eastern flank, we should also mention that, if the Alliance truly intends to create an effective security system in the Black Sea and support its regional partners, then the existing system requires significant rearrangement. Georgia’s goal in this regard would be, at the very least, the Alliance moving to establish an ‘enhanced forward presence’; if this is not done, it will very soon become difficult for NATO to ensure complete security in the region simply based upon the Alliance’s Romanian and Bulgarian fulcrums. It is therefore time for our Western partners to develop a common view of Black Sea security based upon important Eurasian geopolitical and geo-economic factors. The fact that Western analysts frequently discuss our region entitles us to a certain degree of cautious optimism, but the greatest support must be given to the idea of drafting and applying a new Eastern European strategy according to the principle of ‘One Flank, One Threat, One Presence’.

The asymmetry between the northern and southern halves of NATO’s eastern

flank could also be corrected by establishing a system for rapid situational assessments and timely reactions to hybrid threats; but Western analysts readily admit that the Alliance is lagging behind in this concrete matter. We also believe that the West should demonstrate its support for its Black Sea partners by carrying out a new Marshall Plan of economic and investment projects in the region.

A complex, multifaceted approach would enhance the region itself and, by representing the West in a tangible way, accelerate the complete integration of ‘this side’ of the Black Sea region into the civilized world and enable the West to better project its interests across the wider Black and the Caspian Sea region.

It would be no exaggeration to say that Georgia’s role has so far been major: from the moment we recovered our independence and freedom, we have claimed to be a guide on the path to integration with the Western civilized world, and continue to do so even now, and our security and development is the ultimate test of the West’s real interest in the Black Sea region.

THE GEORGIAN CASE IN GREATER DETAIL Georgia’s complex political geography has been mentioned many times, and this will always be the case and is simply a reality that we cannot avoid. The global changes that the coronavirus pandemic has now caused will of course add themselves to this reality, and their nature and possible impact has been discussed in several previous publications.

To Georgia, the Black Sea region is a source of both opportunities for national

Image source: navalnews.net

development as well as threats. The reason for this unusual equation is Georgia’s location between two large political and socio-economic actors in an enormous zone of conflict, one of whom considers human rights to be superior to the state, whereas the other prefers the practically unlimited power of the state over the person. This circumstance alone is enough to demonstrate the causticity of the conflict between the two.

History is replete with examples of nations caught between two sides that were forced by one to reject the prospect of becoming an independent, self-sufficient country; and Georgia will not have the luxury to refuse: neither our historic past nor present circumstances would enable this, although they do suggest quite a few interesting developments

and original solutions.

Be that as it may, and regardless of the global or regional context, constant domestic reform and a growing relationship of mutual dependence with our allies remain the two most important and invariable components of Georgia’s agenda. The first is vital if we are to become a competitive state, whereas the second will give us the security we need to ensure our development. If they are to act responsibly, however, the Georgian government and political circles should become realists: the time for ‘love’ and ‘hatred’ in geopolitics is long gone, and these terms will be replaced with ‘need’, ‘necessity’, ‘adaptation’ and ‘use’. The Black Sea is already a region in which this replacement is taking place.

Russia will of course continue her

attempts to maintain Georgia as a measure of ‘strategic depth’, shielding her ‘sovereign interests’ from Western ‘expansion’. In response, the main goal of the West in the Black Sea region should remain proving the advantages of Western principles with the successful example of Georgia. This is the current situation that will remain with us for the foreseeable future; its objective result is a Black Sea analogue to George Kennan’s ‘Restraining Line’ that crosses our country, thanks to which the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian conflicts are in reality geopolitical rather than ethnic.

Of course, instead of limiting ourselves to the reality we have described here, we would also wish to discuss different scenarios—for example the Black Sea region as a centre for dialogue between civilizations and cultures, or as a platform for the de-escalation of conflicting interests and the promotion of co-existence. These are obviously very desirable goals towards which we should strive, but Georgia’s time and resources should for the time being be directed towards more vital and down-to-earth priorities.

We should also not forget that identifying, analysing and seeking to forecast regional risks could serve as our main intellectual trump card, and we could not dream of doing better than that. One of the main conditions for the effective use of this trump card would be to share information and experience with our allies: our region and the developments that concern it require real security and actions from each one of us that are oriented towards self-sufficient development.

Questioning Russia’s Gains in 2008

Source: SLD info

BY EMIL AVDALIANI

S

ince the Russian invasion of Georgia twelve years ago, the Kremlin has been trying to convince the world and the Russian population that the military actions and subsequent recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali regions were the only possible and correct actions to be taken. Georgians have a different story: their lands were effectively occupied

by Russian forces. These diverging nar-

ratives say a lot about how far apart Georgia and Russia have grown in the past decade. But the Russian version is becoming increasingly less attractive as the gains, apart from the military, are hard to grasp and other former Soviet states are becoming increasingly Westward-looking.

It is still unclear what Russia has gained from its military and diplomatic actions since 2008. True, the military presence in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali limited Tbilisi's ability to become an EU or NATO member state. Moreover, Russia’s intervention into Georgia in 2008 also showed the West how far Moscow can go if a

strategic decision is made to draw Georgia into the NATO alliance. At the time (August-September 2008) those seemed to be long-term (strategic) victories for Moscow. In the long run though the reversal of Georgian foreign policy did not take place.

So far only a few states recognized Georgia's territories as independent entities. The Georgian public is overwhelmingly anti-Russian in its attitudes.

The Georgian public has given up hope (which existed before 2008) for a grand geopolitical bargain – the return of the territories in exchange for reversing EU/ NATO aspirations – while the support

for the country’s Western aspirations so far has only increased.

In the end, Moscow waged a costly war in 2008 and still experiences a diplomatic burden for its moves against the West.

It has still yet to attain its grand geopolitical goal of reversing Georgia's prowestern course. Politicians in Moscow, at least strategists behind the scenes, all understand that Georgia's persistence, which might not seem threatening geopolitically at the moment, could turn into serious business if Russia's geopolitical positions worsen elsewhere in Eurasia.

Indeed, there are signs that Russian

influence is set to diminish further across the former Soviet space as the country's economy is unlikely to improve. The Eurasian Economic Union fails to turn into a supra-national body. Its member states are increasingly less confident in the grouping. Ideally, it should have attracted Russia’s major neighbors to serve the peoples of the former Soviet space economically. But Moscow failed to get Ukraine: without Kiev, the EEU, if not dead, is at least a marginal project.

The Ukraine crisis itself, Russia’s ambivalent position in Moldova, occasional tensions with Armenia (which leads to persistent distrust in Yerevan) have also played a role. Even in Belarus where there are indications that Russia is purposefully putting pressure on Minsk to get geopolitical concessions, the Kremlin’s influence is shaky. Anything could happen in Belarus, including a radical geopolitical turn westwards.

Imagine a scenario where Russian internal problems (Putin's succession, economic downturns, China's rise, stronger Ukraine, etc.) as well as foreign challenges weigh ever stronger upon the Russian decision-makers in the 2020s.

In this case, Georgia's Western aspirations might not seem so bleak and it will be easier for the West to make a strategic decision to draw Tbilisi into EU/ NATO. The 2008 war would seem as a mere distraction for Georgia, but a huge, long-term concession for Russia.

Overall, Russia indeed gained immediate military results in 2008 by keeping foreign powers out of the South Caucasus.

However, in the wider picture, Russia’s grand geopolitical designs seem less attractive. Military moves could only serve as a partial solution. There is much more needed for Moscow to reverse the pro-western stance in Georgia and correct its positions in Ukraine and elsewhere.

In the end it will weigh strongly on Moscow’s strategic calculus. Numerous problems along the borders only complicates the Kremlin’s long-term designs.

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6

BUSINESS

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 7 - 13, 2020

Impact of COVID-19 on Remittance Inflows in Georgia

R

emittance inflows, money sent by migrants to their home countries, provide a lifeline for a sizable share of populations in developing countries. Remittances are especially important due to the ability to act as a countercyclical buffer during the periods of crisis, as migrants tend to send more money when the crisis hits their home economy. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent “Great Lockdown� is different, as it stalled economic activity in nearly every country, resulting in drying up of remittance inflows when they were needed the most. The World Bank estimate for the growth of global remittance flows in 2020 is -20%1, while the IMF forecasts a 15% decline in remittance inflows for Georgia2. In the subsequent analysis, the pre-COVID snapshot of remittance inflows in Georgia will be discussed, followed by the developments of remittance inflows during the first half of 20203.

Remittance inflows in Georgia have been growing steadily over the past decade, with exceptions in 2014 and 2015 due to economic crisis in Russia.

Average annual growth rate of remittance inflows has been strong, amounting 8.5% over the past decade, while it is equal to more impressive figure of 14% when 2014 and 2015 are excluded from the calculations.

The amount of remittance inflows has experienced double digit growth rates in 6 occasions from the past 10 years, with the highest growth rates observed in 2010 (25%), followed by 2011 (21%) and 2017 (20%).

With steady growth of remittance inflows, its role in Georgian economy, demonstrated by its ratio to GDP, has also increased over time. An average figure for remittance inflows as a % of GDP was 6.7% for the 5-year period of 2000-2004, increasing to 8.5% over the next 5-year period, reaching 10.6% in 2010-2014 and 11% in 2015-2019.

The comparison of remittance inflows as a percentage of GDP between the member countries of Eastern Partnership over the period of 2015-2020 reveal that Georgian figures are similar to those of Armenia and Ukraine, ranging from 9.3% to 13.1%.

While Georgia still experiences a growing trend, Armenia has a negative trend, while for Ukraine the indicator has been stable over the period. As for other 3 members, Moldova is the most dependent country on remittance inflows in EaP countries, amounting 19.9% inflows to GDP ratio in 2019.

Belarus and Azerbaijan are the least dependent group of countries on remittance inflows, with their inflows to GDP ratio being lower than 3% over the past 5 years.

Based on World Bank Database, Georgia ranks 17th in terms of dependence on remittance inflows in the world in 20194 with 12.7% inflows to GDP ratio.

Haiti, with inflows to GDP ratio of 38.5%, is ranked as first in 2019, followed by Tajikistan (28.6%) and Kyrgyz Republic (28.5%).

Decomposition of remittance inflows by countries in 2019 and the period of 2015-2019 shows consistency of sender countries over time. Moreover, not only the group of countries, but also their rankings remain the same.

An important implication from the comparison is the positive tendency of higher diversification in remittance inflows over time: The share of Russia is 25% in 2019 compared to 31% in the period of 2015-2019, while the share of Other countries is 20% in 2019 compared to 16% over the 5-year period.

Remittance inflows from Israel, Ukraine and Italy increased significantly in 2019 compared to the average of 2015-2019 period, namely, by 79%, 77% and 69%, respectively.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted remittance flows in the world, with Georgia being no exception. The amount of inflows started declining in March, saw a sharp decline in the month of April, showed the first signs of recovery in May and fully returned to the previous figures in June.

The analysis of monthly dynamics by country reveals that remittance inflows from Russia experienced the biggest drop in April: a decline of 48% compared to the previous month. However, Russia also saw the biggest increase in June (65%) compared to the other top sender countries.

Inflows from Italy have started to decline earlier, falling by 20% in March and 23% in April month over month, while it recovered rapidly in May by 106% MoM. Year on year growth rates of top sender countries are presented in table below for each month of 2020.

As demonstrated by monthly dynamics, Russia was the country with the sharpest fall in April (-61.8%), continuing the decline on a yearly basis in May and June. Conversely, inflows from Italy decreased the least in April and showed a strong year over year growth in May (35.8%) and June (38.8%). The total amount of remittance inflows increased

by 17.8% in June 2020, compared to June 2019.

In the graph below, a comparison of the amount of remittance inflows for the first half of 2020 compared to first half of 2019 are presented, disaggregated in terms of top sender countries. Out of 6 top sender countries, only inflows from Russia and Israel declined, by 27% and 9% respectively. The increases for USA, Greece, Turkey and the group of other countries were all modest, while inflows from Italy increased by 14%.

Despite growth dynamics of most countries, the overall remittance inflows have declined by 4.8%, mainly due to the large fall of inflows from Russia.

As demonstrated, Georgia has recovered from the sharp drop in April rela-

tively quickly, and the overall dynamics for 2020 are much stronger than predicted by the IMF for Georgia and even stronger compared to the global estimates of the World Bank.

However, the high growth figures in June could be explained by the higher demand for money due to the crisis. If this is the case, it is unlikely that the strong growth will continue.

Moreover, the second wave of the pandemic and further disruptions in the host countries of the migrants, could result in another sharp fall. Overall, uncertainty is still prevalent, however, so far, the remittance inflows in Georgia have performed better than anticipated before, which translates to the hopes of quicker and stronger recovery.

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/04/22/world-bankpredicts-sharpest-decline-of-remittances-in-recent-history#:~:text=The%20large%20 decline%20in%20remittances,record%20%24554%20billion%20in%20 2019.&text=In%202021%2C%20the%20World%20Bank,5.6%20percent%20to%20 %24470%20billion.

1

https://static1.squarespace.com/ static/5548d1b5e4b0680763eeeb53/t/5ecc04bd29db2e1e76 cf1635/1590428863594/GEO__AGBC+Annual+Conference_May+2020.pdf

2

The data source on which the subsequent analysis and graphs are based on is National Bank of Georgia, unless stated otherwise.

3

The rank is obtained from the analysis of all countries for which the inflows to GDP ratio in 2019 is available in World Bank Database

4

BUSINESS

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 7 - 13, 2020

7

Sustainability & Corporate Citizenship as a Priority

A

s the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are felt throughout the world, lives and livelihoods have been turned upside down.

Alongside the tragic loss of human lives, we have seen businesses and communities brought to a sudden standstill.

As the pandemic runs its course and communities pull together to help one another, the action and conduct of businesses have also moved further into the spotlight as consumers look to brands to play their part.

Over the last few months we have witnessed corporate citizenship in action. Organisations have responded swiftly to exceptional circumstances, adapted ably, and taken several leaps forward to become even more sustainable. They have accomplished all of this while giving back and contributing to the lives of the people they serve. This calls attention to the importance of corporate citizenship, and emphasises the positive role brands can play in shaping their communities.

Carrefour is one of a number of prominent names that has successfully managed to contend with the challenges posed by COVID-19. One of the world’s largest hypermarket and supermarket brands, Carrefour — operated in Georgia by Majid Al Futtaim — has been a player in the Georgian market since 2012. Since the brand’s establishment

in the country, Carrefour has provided Georgians with quality, variety, and value; introducing a completely new and unrivalled shopping experience to the region. Carrefour has brought to Georgia an extensive choice of more than 40,000 food and non-food products characterised by high value and low pricing.

With 21 local stores to cater to while acting as a catalyst for change within the community, Carrefour has proven itself a resilient retail brand amid a global crisis. Sustainability, a central tenet of the brand’s ethos, is practiced through a holistic approach, encompassing environmental consciousness and the uplifting of socially vulnerable people.

Having held more than 50 corporate social responsibility events in the last two years, Carrefour prides itself on consistently bettering its surrounding communities through a variety of means.

A COMMITMENT TO ELIMINATE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC On average, Georgian citizens consume 525 plastic bags per year. While clearly a problem for the environment, such plastic usage depletes energy and resources — vital assets to any economy amid a crisis.

Carrefour’s dedication to reducing single-use plastics and ultimately phasing them out entirely, alongside other harmful plastics, by 2025 demonstrates

preparedness for an energy-efficient future. Through educational campaigns, community volunteering activities, and incentive programs, Carrefour has been at the forefront of promoting a plasticfree environment, guided by its desire to operate in both an environmentally and socially-responsible manner.

Launched in April 2018, Honour the Nature was a campaign to educate Carrefour customers on the environmental harm of plastic bags and conversely, the advantages of using reusable bags. Since the launch, sales of Carrefour reusable bags have increased by 120 per cent. For added incentive, Carrefour rewards all shoppers who choose to use a reusable bag. In 2020, more than a million and a half customers were offered rewards.

The launch of these campaigns in Carrefour stores have since marked a 70 per cent reduction in the use of singleuse plastic bags.

In a further move, through a volunteering initiative, the Carrefour team conducted clean-up activities at the charming Georgian seaside city of Batumi, with support from City Hall.

Carrefour has conducted clean-up activities in more than 10 different areas of Georgia. As such, the brand has been a community leader in spurring action, encouraging the local population to join its team during environmental activities.

UPLIFTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES For any initiative to be a success, Carrefour knows it must lead by example.

The Carrefour team is made up of a diverse group of colleagues, and its inclusivity agenda emphasises oppor-

tunities for people with disabilities.

“At Majid Al Futtaim, and by extension, Carrefour, we believe in the multifaceted brilliance of an individual,” states Christophe Orcet, Country Manager of Carrefour Georgia. “We know that diversity makes us stronger. At this time of uncertainty, listening is of the utmost importance, and it is vital to have that variety of perspectives in the room.”

In April 2019 Carrefour signed a memorandum of cooperation with Tbilisi Public School No. 203, which caters to 143 children with special needs. In addition to often visiting the schoolchildren and learning about their lives, the team actively supports their integration into everyday activities, for example by accompanying them to cultural events of interest.

Meanwhile, during the pandemic, the brand’s partnerships with organisations such as the Red Cross, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, Tbilisi City Hall, and the Autism Research Centre allowed for a further expansion of Carrefour’s scope of support. Through these partnerships, Carrefour has helped people with disabilities, single mothers, socially vulnerable families, orphans, war veterans, children with serious illnesses, and the elderly.

A CATALYST FOR COMMUNITY COLLABORATION While Carrefour proactively supports the communities, it serves — being a brand that recognises its place at the centre of those same communities, the brand also empowers its customers to make a difference themselves.

During the pandemic, Carrefour joined the Red Cross and Tbilisi City Hall campaign to support socially vulnerable elderly people. As part of the social campaign, customers were given the opportunity to play their part by buying products at Carrefour Georgia stores, to be later distributed to those in need.

Moreover, through a partnership with Mastercard, customers using the credit card within any branch of Carrefour Georgia enabled a donation to be made toward helping single elderly people.

Most recently, an important memorandum signed with the international charity organisation, Emmaus, helped provide unwanted clothes to socially vulnerable families.

“We are pleased to be able to leverage our network for greater community participation. Often, people enjoy the opportunity to help or volunteer, but are at a loss of how to do so. Our partnerships and initiatives allow us to not only help the community, but also enable individuals to see the power in collective action,” Orcet added.

A brand with a great sense of social responsibility, Carrefour recognised early on that the pandemic — alongside various social issues — are a community concern. Using its resources and network to effectively contribute to society speaks to the belief that a business can only thrive if the people in its surrounding communities work together.

As Carrefour underlines its commitment to the people and communities it serves, the brand also reiterates the fact that business will surely play an even greater role in supporting communities going forward, even as the coronavirus fades into the past.

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GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 7 - 13, 2020

Accelerating Georgia's Transition to a Circular Economy. Part I

BLOG BY DARIUSZ EDWARD PRASEK* AND SOLOMON PAVLIASHVILI**

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he article discusses the key principles and conditions required for an accelerated transition to the circular economy, a new economic model that represents sustainable progress towards efficient green growth and provides the framework to develop new business models aimed at increasing the value, use and life of materials, products and assets. Embracing the circularity principles can also accelerate the recovery from the economic downturn caused

by COVID-19.

The transition to a circular economy requires a radical change in the way we produce and consume. Products are designed for durability, upgradeability, reparability and reusability. Companies develop new business models generating revenue streams from services rather than products, while making more efficient use of resources and materials, and consumers use products efficiently and discard them in such a way that they can be turned into secondary materials that can enter a new production-consumption cycle.

Georgia has recently embarked on an accelerated path towards a transition to a circular economy. With the concerted efforts of the government, civil society organizations, and international partners, Georgia initiated the development of the circular economy strategy and took some important steps to include, for example, the introduction of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the national Waste Management Code. In its road to circularity, Georgia should benefit from the experiences of more advanced economies and form strong partnerships, such as the ongoing program supported by the Government of Sweden in order to choose the most optimal path for its transition to a circular economy.

WHY DO WE NEED TO BECOME CIRCULAR? The circular economy concept is gaining attention in light of increasing consumption and resource use by a fastgrowing population with rising standards of living. Circularity refers to the circular flow and efficient use and reuse

of resources, materials and products.

This is a new economic model that represents sustainable progress towards efficient green growth, moving from a consumption and disposal-based linear model to extending the life and use of products and materials and minimizing wastage. Due to its expected environmental, climate, social and economic benefits, the circular economy is not only being strongly promoted by the European Commission and other EU institutions, as well as a growing number of EU Member States and cities, but it is also attracting increasing attention from the business community and from public and private financiers. The circular economy clearly goes beyond resource efficiency and recycling and provides the framework to develop new business models aimed at increasing the value, use and life of materials, products and assets and designing out waste from production and consumption.

Circular economy strategies have been under development in European cities, regions, and countries in the last few years. 33 strategies have been adopted since 2014, and at least 29 more are under development. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, OECD, European Commission and other notable organizations have estimated that economies could greatly benefit from circular economy strategies on economic, social and environmental dimensions.

Adopting a circular economy policy has the potential to put economies on the road to transformation to an economic system that uses natural resources in the most efficient way, preserves the value of materials and products by using them circularly, and reduces the negative impact of economic activities on the environment and health. Applying circular economy approaches can cut industrial emissions, reduce the production of and exposure to hazardous substances, and contribute to climate change mitigation. With its truly symbiotic effects on the economy and the environment, the circular economy is a way of achieving certain UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).

HOW DO WE GO CIRCULAR? The transition to the circular economy requires a radical change in the way we produce and consume. In a circular economy, products are designed for

durability, upgradeability, reparability and reusability, with a view to reusing materials from which they are made after they reach the end of their life. In the use phase, products are managed with a view to maximizing their utilization capacity and extending their useful life, thus maintaining their value for as long as possible. This is made possible by companies that develop new business models generating revenue streams from services rather than products, while making a more efficient use of resources and/or giving new value to end-of-life products and materials.

Consumers use products efficiently and discard them in such a way that they can be reused or, if this is technically or economically unfeasible, recycling operators turn them into secondary materials that can enter a new productionconsumption cycle. This needs to be supported by the whole system, from enabling technologies and infrastructures to a form of market organization that facilitates collaboration along and across value chains and a form of governance and regulation that encourages companies to adopt circular approaches to social norms that make circular production-consumption patterns socially preferable. This paradigm is in contrast to the linear economy which is based on the ‘take-make-use-discard’ model. This is a model which maximizes the amount of products produced and sold but does not focus on preserving materials. Such an approach prevents effective collaboration along value chains and stimulates the ‘throw-away’ consumer culture with its noxious environmental consequences.

Like with any systemic change, the transition to the circular economy requires several elements of the system to change simultaneously. The inertia and resistance of the current linear economic systems prevent the transition from occurring. Concerted actions by a host of stakeholders are needed. Government at all levels, businesses, innovators, academia, investors and consumers all have to play their distinct roles and contribute to the process.

WHAT IS GEORGIA DOING ABOUT THE CIRCULARITY? With the general objective of replacing the ‘end-of-life’ concept with an economic system that closes material loops, Georgia has recently embarked on an accelerated path to transition to a circular economy. With the concerted efforts of the government, civil society organizations, academia and international partners, Georgia initiated the development of a circular economy strategy and roadmap aimed at a comprehensive approach from multiple points of view, including production, consumption, waste management, secondary raw materials, innovation, investments as well as ongoing initiatives, in different sectors, by different players, and at different stages of the value chain or different stages of development. Several neces-

sary steps to promote circularity have already been undertaken. These include, for example the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the national Waste Management Code. EPR is considered a key financial and operational instrument which promotes the implementation of waste management schemes in line with the waste hierarchy, as laid down by the Code, and the development of a resource-efficient economy.

By introducing EPR, producers will take over the responsibility for collecting or taking back used goods and for sorting and treating for their eventual recycling.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, with the support from the European Union, UNDP and the Government of Sweden, has been working in this area since 2015.

WHY IS EPR SUCH AN IMPORTANT STEP AND WHAT ARE ITS KEY ELEMENTS? EPR is an approach of the environmental policy, where the producers and importers of certain products are responsible for managing the waste generated after the use of their products, including bearing the related costs. The purpose of EPR is to improve environmental performance of the waste management system and to mobilize the financial resources needed to ensure the reuse, separate collection, recycling, recovery and/or other treatment of waste. It is based on the “polluter pays” principle, which is the cornerstone of the environmental policy. EPR facilitates the attraction of private investments in the waste management infrastructure and the creation of different jobs in the country.

EPR is directly linked to green and circular economy development.

At this stage, EPR applies to the following waste products: waste from electric and electronic equipment, used oils, end-of-life tyres and vehicles, as well as waste batteries and accumulators.

EPR will be gradually expanded to cover other waste products. However, the introduction of this principle is crucial for starting the practical implementation of the circularity as it promotes the idea of treating waste as a resource, and stimulates the establishment of value chains required for the reuse, recycling and recovery of waste.

The implementation of EPR has been supported by regulations and guidelines covering such topics as: (i) liabilities and requirements for the setting up and authorization of individual and collec-

tive compliance schemes and EPR organizations by producers (including importers); (ii) rules for the establishment of EPR register and producers’ registration; (iii) scope of decision authority and liabilities of involved parties; (iv) technical regulations on the collection and treatment for each category of specific waste; (v) targets to be achieved for the gradual adoption of EPR; and (vi) control mechanisms. These technical regulations were developed through the support of the EU, USAID, SIDA and UNDP, and with the involvement of international and local experts. The experience of Sweden, Germany, Austria, Greece, Bulgaria and other countries was also shared. All stakeholders, and especially companies directly subject to EPR, were actively engaged in this process. Large scale public hearings, sectoral meetings, workshops, discussions with individual companies and mediacampaigns were conducted, contributing to the process.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture also prepared several technical regulations for handling, under EPR, such materials and products as waste electric and electronic equipment, waste oils, end-of-life tyres, and waste batteries. These regulations are currently going through the formal approval process and are expected to enter into force this year, with the deadline for registration of producers set for mid-2021. The regulations stipulate the targets for the 2022-2023 period. The delay in the legislative process was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

However, the government extended the deadline to give producers ample time for registration, and for the establishment of EPR organizations and other preparatory works. There are other technical regulations that are currently under the preparatory and review processes. These include on packaging wastes and on end-of-life vehicles. These draft regulations will be additionally submitted to the GoG in the nearest future.

Continued in next week’s GT with ‘Can Georgia go circular on its own?’ *Dariusz Edward Prasek is a Doctor in Environmental Engineering, Member of the United Nations Advisory Board on Circular Economy, International Expert in Environmental, Social and Governance Areas. **Solomon Pavliashvili is a Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture

Austria & Georgia – a Promising Partnership on the European Market Continued from page 1 On the other hand Georgia had signed an Association Agreement with the EU and made significant progress in her rapprochement towards Europe, including visa liberalization. We support this process of Georgia getting closer to the EU both politically and via our development aid.

What we – like our partners in the EU – try to support in Georgia is not only the transformation in the agricultural or forestry sector, two of the three priorities of the Austrian Development Cooperation. Good governance, rule of law, a resilient and trustworthy justice sector and social standards are key to making this country a reliable partner for Europe and attractive for investments. Therefore Austria is engaged in all these areas.

There are some areas which might not seem to be important at first glance but are nevertheless crucial in our opinion: We firmly believe that the empowerment of women to take more part in the economy, in politics and other fields is key for the exploitation of Georgia´s full potential. And we also believe that the principle of subsidiarity and regionalization will help Georgia to achieve faster progress in fighting unemployment and improve the health sector.

Austria´s economic presence in Georgia is mostly concentrated in logistics and energy. The most important investors transport goods from Europe via Tbilisi to the South Caucasus and beyond, making Georgia the hub in the region.

Many hydro power stations include Austrian technology or are being financed by Austrian banks or private

investors. Furthermore, Austrians are active in the fruit juice sector and tourism industry with an obvious focus on skilifts. Of course every Georgian knows that the first western-style hotels in Tbilisi (the Metekhi) and Gudauri (Marco Polo) were Austrian investments… A considerable part of the investments are linked to development programs and soft loans. So when there is less money in this system also our investment drops as we can see in the statistics. After a very successful year 2018 with an impressive growth from Euro 55m to Euro 96m in our trade balance we saw a decline in 2019 back to 73m. Still we feel that Georgia remains a very attractive country and Austrian companies are increasingly interested in making business here.

Of course, the Corona crisis represents

a shock to the global economy. Georgia – like other countries –suffers a lot in terms of a sharp short-term decline of tourism, reduction of investment and remittances.

The government is in the difficult situation to navigate the economy in pre-election times and with the permanent threat of new outbreaks of the virus.

With unemployment inevitably rising in the next months to come there have been a lot of discussions about investment in education and vocational training. And indeed I believe this is key for the long-term development of the Georgian labor force. Sure: Establishing Georgia as regional hub and deepening cooperation with other countries makes sense for a small country. But in my opinion, without investing more in the

workforce´s qualifications Georgia might not be able to attract larger-scale investors. They expect a safe political environment, a reliable and transparent legal framework and attractive business conditions. It is promising that Georgia has started to make its public administration more efficient. Continuity and sustainability are highly important assets to make the State a reliable partner for citizens.

In general I believe that Georgia is on the right track to democracy and a free market. With a strong voice of civil society and a political class that listens, with the respect of European standards of human rights and rule of law, Georgia has very good chances to succeed.

Originally printed in The Economist-Georgia

SOCIETY

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 7 - 13, 2020

9

USAID/Georgia Economic Growth Office on the USAID YES Program

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he USAID YES-Georgia program (full name “Supporting Youth and Women Entrepreneurship in Georgia”) is implemented by Crystal Fund with financial support from the American people through USAID and the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative. Additional financial support is provided by JSC MFO Crystal. The program supports Georgia’s economic development and the strengthening of Georgian youth and women by encouraging innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing employability. The program operates both in Tbilisi and in the regions, targeting youth (16-28 years old) and women (28 years and above), who have business start-up ideas or already operate a business and need to enhance their enterprise through skills development, access to finance and business services.

Starting in 2021, the USAID YES-Georgia program will be focused purely on women entrepreneurs (both emerging and existing) and will support their professional development by turning their

existing enterprises into higher-revenue businesses.

USAID YES-Georgia topics and activities include access to finance and business services, enterprise skills development, business trainings, mentorship and coaching, confidence building, awareness raising and many more, which are extremely necessary for successful management of a start-up enterprise.

Speaking to GEORGIA TODAY about USAID and its mission in Georgia, Marika Olson, Director of USAID’s Economic Growth Office in Georgia told us of USAID Georgia’s wide-ranging portfolio of economic development assistance, focused on creating high value employment opportunities across the country.

“By partnering with the Government of Georgia, entrepreneurs, business associations, and enterprises of all sizes, Georgian and international, we’re here to help Georgia achieve the kind of economic growth that benefits its people, families, and communities,” Olson says.

“For us, that means supporting the creation and development of high value employment sectors, diversifying markets and trade sectors, and supporting Georgia in fulfilling its commitments under the EU Association Agreement, alongside helping to build a stronger democracy where citizens have opportunities to participate in the political process, and where elected officials are more responsive and accountable to the people they represent.

“USAID has more than 30 programs.

In addition to economic growth, we support elections and political processes, good governance, civil society development, and social inclusion. As Georgian society has made strides and become more self-reliant, we’ve shifted our programs from humanitarian aid to a more forward-looking approach - helping consolidate democratic institutions, integrating Georgia’s economy into international markets, and helping the country move closer to its European partners.”

Anna Chaus, USAID/Georgia Economic Growth Office representative, manages the USAID YES-Georgia program. Of the many USAID projects, she highlighted in particular the Young Entrepreneur’s School and BUZZ-Georgia components.

“The Young Entrepreneur’s School was created years ago within the framework of the program. The schools run trainings in seven locations of Georgia (Tbilisi, Telavi, Gori, Akhaltsikhe, Kutaisi, Zugdidi and Batumi) and aims to support

youth and women’s entrepreneurship development, and the capacity building of youth-led small enterprises, through innovative forms of access to finance, knowledge and expertise,” she tells us.

“The BUZZ-Georgia component targets women in the remote regions of Georgia.

It aims to reach out to 1,500 women and introduce them to concepts of savings, financial planning, networking, business skills and personal development, which is essential for Georgia’s economic development.”

We asked Anna to tell us about main results of the program, its successes, goals and objectives.

The USAID YES-Georgia program was launched in 2015. Since then, it has supported more than 4,000 young entrepreneurs and professionals, and providing professional skills training to nearly 1,600 youth. Besides this, the program assisted more than 300 young people to draft business proposals and apply for financing. The most successful 78 young people already received financing and launched their own enterprises.

It’s a huge success that last year the USAID YES-Georgia program was chosen by the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative, a White House led fund to empower women around the world. The program thus expanded its focus on supporting women, launching new activities designed to meet the needs of women entrepreneurs.

The objective of the USAID YESGeorgia program is to increase the number of women who become and succeed as entrepreneurs. Thus, the main goal of the program is to provide more than 2,500 women with business management training, access to legal and accounting services, and mentoring and networking opportunities, by 2024. As I already mentioned, the program operates not only in Tbilisi, but also in the regions and thus aims to reach and positively affect around 100,000 women and girls in various regions of Georgia through media campaigns, social networking, events and other activities. The program’s enterprise-driven goals support USAID’s broader goals in Georgia, specifically private sector engagement and support for self-reliance.

How can people register for the Young Entrepreneur’s School trainings?

The Young Entrepreneur’s Schools professional skills development trainings are held twice a year. The next round of trainings will start this September.

State to Assist over 33 000 Socially Vulnerable Students

BY ANA DUMBADZE

S

tudents who are socially vulnerable (under 150,000 points) will have their 2020-2021 study academic term financed by the government, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia announced at a meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council on Thursday.

He added that the government will pay the 1-year tuition fee of students in the same category who had their status suspended due to non-payment of the tuition fee.

The head of the government noted that more than 33,000 students will benefit from this assistance.

At the same meeting, Gakharia announced that all Georgian citizens under the age of 17 will receive a onetime assistance of 200 GEL from the state.

The call for applications will be officially announced on the USAID/Georgia Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ USAIDGeorgia/) and Young Entrepreneur’s School Facebook page (https:// www.facebook.com/mfocrystalyes/), on HR.ge and jobs.ge, etc. Public announcements will be made through various radio stations and TV channels. Given the fact that these trainings are free of charge and provide participants with excellent enterprise development skills, I would encourage all interested young people to register for these trainings, obtain entrepreneurship knowledge as

well as expertise, and become successful, prominent entrepreneurs.

“In the end, all of our work comes down to supporting the stable economic base which allows Georgia and its people to thrive,” Marika Olson tells us. “An economy which values its workers, provides high-value, fulfilling job opportunities, ensures the freedom to innovate, and encourages investment in its future. COVID-19 may slow us down, but it will not stop our commitment to Georgia, and it certainly won’t stop the people of Georgia from attaining a brighter tomorrow.”

JICA Georgia Office Announces Opening for the Position of National Staff The job description: ** Analyze and Survey of the Country’s current Economy and Politic; ** To collect information on the development as well as policies and projects of other donors and analyze the issues with regard to assigned programs; ** To coordinate submission of requests from the counterpart Government; ** To supervise the implementation of assigned programs; to prepare implementation and budget plan, make logistic arrangement and make necessary coordination and negotiation with related organizations in Caucasus countries and Japan, to make necessary translation and interpretation when communicating with counterparts, and to monitor the progress of assigned programs; ** To coordinate Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteer’s (JOCV) activity in Georgia; ** Other tasks given by Resident Representative.

Skills and requirements: ** University degree; ** Highly proficient in spoken and written in English, Japanese and Russian languages. (Regarding English and Japanese proficiency, certificates are necessary); ** Computer literacy (word, excel, power point etc); ** At least five years of work experience in a similar field; ** Analytical, open-minded, honest character; ** Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ** Well-organized; strong sense of responsibility; hard working; ** Willingness to go on field trips.

Preferable but not mandatory skills: ** Familiarity with terms related to finance.

Term: From October, 2020 till October, 2021 with possible extension (Probation period of 3 months. The employer will be able to terminate the contract depending on the performance during the probation period).

Salary: US$1300~1500/month (actual amount will be adjusted based on the past work experience and will be paid in GEL)

Source: Erasmusu

"In the economic crisis, our citizens and children, first of all, will receive assistance from the state in the amount of 200 GEL. To summarize, all Georgian citizens under the age of 17 will receive a one-time assistance of 200 GEL from the state," said Gakharia.

The initiatives aim to help Georgian youth through the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus. Gakharia noted that the government is focusing on Georgia’s youth during the third stage of social support to ensure that education does not suffer.

Working hours: Monday – Friday, 9:30 – 18:00 (with lunch break from 13:00 – 14:00) Next step: Only shortlisted persons will be notified by email and invited to an interview.

Interested candidates are required to send a CV (in English) with two referees from previous workplaces/schools, and copies of certificates, to: gg_oso_rep@ jica.go.jp and jicageorgia@gmail.com; no later than 14 August, 2020.

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SOCIETY

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 7 - 13, 2020

President of Georgia Red Cross Society & Head of UNFPA Georgia Office Visit Kaspi

T Israeli Embassy Donates to Peace Cathedral

A

s part of its inter-faith and outreach activities, the Israeli Embassy was proud to make a donation of 3000 GEL to the ‘Peace Cathedral’ of the Evangelical Baptist Church in Tbilisi for an inter-faith peace project.

“I am proud to be able to participate in the project initiated by the Peace Cathedral by making a modest contribution to it. I understand this is a drop the ocean but I hope it will play its role,” said the Ambassador.

“Our contribution is meant to support a multi-faith project, and, specifically, the construction of a devotional space designated for Muslims within the Cathedral’s precincts,” said Ambassador Gidor, who noted his gratitude to Father Malkhaz Songulashvili and Bishop Rusudan Gotsiridze for the opportunity to take part in a moving ceremony which coincided with Eid al-Adha on July 31.

“This is indeed a unique event when a Jewish Ambassador attends the Muslim feast day at a Christian Cathedral and makes a donation to Cathedral’s inter-

faith project,” said Bishop Ilia Osepashvili after the service.

It is a customary for the Peace Cathedral to celebrate the main feast days with other Abrahamic religions. The Eid AlAdha is a feast which recalls one on the most significant episodes from the life of Abraham, a paternal figure in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

“The Judaeo-Christian and Islamic story of Abraham’s sacrifice is still relevant in this world which is torn apart by divisions, tribalism and violence,” said Metropolitan Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili in his homily, “The story of Abraham’s sacrifice is teaching us that the strong should not rise a hand over the weak, with or without a knife; the rich should not exploit the poor; the educated should not take advantage over the uneducated; the majority representatives should not persecute the minority.”

“The Israeli Embassy wishes our Muslims brothers, friends and colleagues prosperity, good health and peace,” Embassy representatives stated.

he Georgian Red Cross Society and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Office have partnered to provide a social and economic response to COVID-19 related challenges, in particular, to supporting older people living alone in targeted municipalities in accessing information, preventative measures, protection and health related services.

The project is implemented in four target municipalities of Georgia, including Kaspi, where a joint visit and meetings were organized on August 2.

Natia Loladze, President of the Georgia Red Cross Society, and Lela Bakradze, Head of the UNFPA, met with Tamaz Tatanashvili, the Municipal Mayor of Kaspi, representatives of the Red Cross, and local volunteers. During the visit, the parties discussed the activities planned within the program, including different types of support for older people living alone in the above-mentioned municipality, such as provision of services and information to prevent and

Photo by Gela Bedianashvili/UNFPA Georgia

protect them from COVID-19. After the meeting, the participants joined the local volunteers in distributing food and hygiene parcels to the selected beneficiaries: socially vulnerable senior citizens living alone.

These activities are implemented in the framework of the UN Joint Program ‘Assisting Local Communities in Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19’ funded by the UN’s COVID-19 Multi- Partner Trust Fund (MPTF).

Young Girl Found Dead in Rioni River After 3 Days of Search

BY ANA DUMBADZE

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escuers have recovered the body of Natia Shavadze, a 19-year-old girl who went missing earlier this week.

Her body was discovered in the Rioni River in the western city of Poti.

About 46 rescuers and 4 divers were involved in the search operations, which lasted three days.

Witnesses of the incident claimed to have seen a young girl jump frim a bridge

Image Source: flickr

into the river to commit suicide late at night on August 3.

An investigation is currently underway

under Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which stipulates events leading to suicide.

SOCIETY

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 7 - 13, 2020

11

Walking in Circles: Closing BLOG BY TONY HANMER

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ime for the final push. This last section, more than any others, was one which I knew really well, but only by vehicle. Time to learn it on a different scale: days not hours, feet not km.

We took public transport from bustling Zugdidi to Jvari, gateway village to Svaneti, once the two days of expected hard rain was over. No point in struggling getting soaked by non-stop cats and dogs, especially as that part of the walk wasn’t even in Svaneti anyway, but in Samegrelo.

We were back to mostly uphill walking again, though with several gains in altitude followed by similar losses before getting home to Etseri. But by now we were pretty used to the pace and load, knowing what our bodies could handle, what our food, hydration and rest needs were. Nothing in or on us had seriously broken down (although Josh’s backpack needed some tough resewing in Lentekhi, and now the end was in sight.

The Enguri River would soon roar along beside us in an unnavigable boiling torrent, but first we had to reach the great Enguri arch dam and the 20-km reservoir behind it, dating from some decades before the end of the USSR. It has always puzzled my why there are rarely any boats at all on this long lake, deep and green from the glacial sources which feed it. If I lived closer to it, I would somehow get a speedboat or a houseboat or something and take advan-

tage of its frigid but fine waters.

We had three more camping nights, one hidden, two very much roadside, before a night visiting friends and then the last walking day. The river was by now becoming a huge noise, but a “white” one, something which neither of us had trouble sleeping through. Josh did manage a dip in a natural pool near a bridge, but the water here too was flowing though slowly, and much too cold for my taste.

Khaishi village offered us a cooked meal en route, ojakhuri, the “family dish” of fried pork and potatoes, to bolster our energy and provide a break from the usual trail mix and cereal.

I also wasn’t very distracted by photographic sights on this last leg, having had so many opportunities to stop for pictures over decades of travel. Ushba would be out of sight entirely, and our walking view was much more restricted in general by its mostly canyon-like topography.

Our first stop was at my favorite waterfall, a multi-stage affair with a wide veillike finish. The area has been badly marred, though, by visitors’ most liberal and thoughtless scattering of their garbage, which Josh had the idea of picking up. We gathered what we could in a large bag provided by a couple who stay there and boil corn for tourists. There is no dumpster in sight, just a little piece of what Georgians call “the country God was keeping for Himself”, now frightfully soiled by its tenants. What WILL He say, Georgians (because it’s mostly you, not the foreigners), when He stops by for a progress report?! Apparently this place is under Tsalenjikha’s jurisdic-

tion: so how about some action, hmm?

Eventually, we arrived at Tina Aprasidze’s house in Dizi, source for precious marble and alabaster, when the gorgeously decorated Moscow and St Petersburg Metro stations were being built. Tina is the widowed sister of my blood brother, Nodar, and her whole family are old friends of mine. We left all the night things there to minimize our last day’s loads (tent and hammock, sleeping bags, extra food and so on), said a fond goodbye next morning, and headed off into the last 25 km of the Circle.

Here two things changed the game.

One was a brief thunderstorm which caused us to take shelter under trees

until it passed. The other was a bout of nausea leading to vomiting which affected Josh, mercifully the only bit of sickness we had on the whole trip. Not knowing how severe or long-lasting this case would be, I opted to start hitchhiking; soon, of all things, a large garbage truck picked us up, there was room for both of us in its spacious cab and sleeper, so by yet another means of transport we ended the trip early, with my wife waiting for us at our house. Josh took several more days of weakness to get over it; I was fine, so it likely wasn’t any kind of food poisoning, as we had been eating exactly the same things.

Anyway, the Big Svaneti Circle walk was

over, a years-long dream of mine fulfilled, and we were safe and happy. Time to start editing hundreds of photos and finishing the writing. Georgians, in the absence of any current possible alternatives you have SO much to see right at home!

Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a weekly writer and photographer for GT since early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook group, now with nearly 2000 members, at www.facebook.com/ groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

British Council Announces Winners of the ‘Creative Spark’ Big Idea Challenge 2020 in Georgia

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he British Council joined forces with London Metropolitan University (UK) to run its largest video pitch competition in 2020: the Creative Spark Big Idea Challenge.

The competition provides thousands of young people aged between 18 and 35 years with the opportunity to develop their own business ideas and enterprise skills. The platform also helps young entrepreneurs to raise their profile and improve their career prospects, at a time when youth unemployment is a growing concern and the COVID-19 health pandemic has disrupted economies around the world.

The winners were announced on 29 July.

Country Champion for Georgia: Zero Effect (Ana Kveladze, Tako Baramidze, Ana Chkoidze) Creative: Albavar Toons (Demuri Dangadze, Giorgi Svanidze, Mikheili Medzvelia) Digital Technology: Beauty Lab App (Mariam Kobiashvili, Ketevan Bagashvili) Social Impact: Zero Effect (Ana Kveladze, Tako Baramidze, Ana Chkoidze) People’s Choice Award: Miscusi (Mariam Kemoklidze, Elene, Rukhadze, Tamta Gogiashvili) The winners were selected by a panel of national and international judges experienced in enterprise education and

competition: the ‘Pandemic Response Innovation Award’.

“There has never been a greater need for innovative business ideas to help boost economies around the world and tackle youth unemployment,” said Richard Everitt, Director of Education Wider Europe. “At the British Council, we’re pleased to be supporting students, graduates and entrepreneurs who have the potential to make a huge difference to our world.

“With over one fifth of ideas responding to COVID-19, we’re excited to provide funding to the winners to kick-start new businesses and help them to achieve their dreams,” Everitt added.

ABOUT CREATIVE SPARK

creative entrepreneurship. The general public voted for the ‘People’s Choice Public Vote Winner’, with over 50,000 people choosing their favorite idea. Each country champion team will receive 2,000 GBP to help develop their business idea. The other winners will get mentor-

PUBLISHER & GM

George Sharashidze COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT

Commercial Director: Iva Merabishvili Marketing Manager: Natalia Chikvaidze

GEORGIA TODAY

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT:

Editor-In-Chief: Katie Ruth Davies

ing from London Metropolitan University to develop their business ideas further.

The competition ran in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan from 2 March to 19 July 2020. Almost 500 new business

Journalists: Ana Dumbadze, Vazha Tavberidze, Nini Dakhundaridze, Tony Hanmer, Emil Avdaliani, Nugzar B. Ruhadze, Beka Alexishvili, Elene Dzebizashvili Photographer: Aleksei Serov

ideas were shortlisted, supported by 110 higher education and creative institutions. Young entrepreneurs competed across three categories: digital technology, social impact and creative ideas. In response to COVID-19, the British Council introduced an additional part to the

Website Manager/Editor: Katie Ruth Davies Layout: Misha Mchedlishvili Webmaster: Sergey Gevenov Circulation Managers: David Kerdikashvili, David Djandjgava

The British Council designed and launched Creative Spark in 2018. Since then, it has supported thousands of students, graduates and young entrepreneurs to break new ground with innovative business ideas. Another main aim of the program is support new collaboration opportunities that can develop the creative economy in countries where there is great potential and where youth unemployment is a key issue. To do this, the British Council provides funding to higher education institutions and creative institutions to develop partnerships across Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and the UK.

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