UNDP Regional Development Programmes in Georgia

1. UNDP Regional Development Programmes in Georgia

2. UNDP Georgia’s First Regional Development Initiative

3. STRATEGY • Enhance capacity of local governments 2. Creation of mechanisms for donor coordination and capacity-building through establishment of Development Coordination Unit 3. Utilize resources from both Central Government and Donor Community; 4. Improve socio-economic conditions of population in S-J • Address gender inequalities through women empowerment • Support ICT development • Raise Human Rights Awareness of both duty bearers and right holders • Integration of the region both internally and with the rest of Georgia; 9. Cross-Border Activities (between Georgia, Armenia, and Turkey).

4. UNDP in Samtskhe-Javakheti Jan 2003 – Dec 2003: S-J Integrated Development Programme (SJIDP) start-up phase- $250,000 BCPR • July 2004- Jan 2006 Women Regional Center-$ 637,101 US, SIDA • Jan 2004-Dec 2005 SJ Regional Networking Initiative- $ 553,000 UNDP, Nov 2005-Nov 2007: S-J Regional Development Programme, $800,000 Norway, $55,000 UNDP • Jan 2006-June 2006 S-J Networking Initiative for Better Governance - $ 45,000 Norway

5. Major Achievements Perfection and Democratization of Regional Governance WRC established its own training center 17 trainers within WRC, 120 women trained; Study Gender & Society 202 loans have been disbursed to the target group Promoting Transparency, Accountability and Anti-corruption in Regional Public Sector ICT for Regional Development - Internet Connection provided to 3 district, 4 Computer centers established; More then 16 Infrastructure rehabilitated sites

6. AID COORDINATION • Institutions Supported by the Programme Prime Minister’s Office In Tbilisi Donor-Government Coordination Meeting Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group Secretariat Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Finance Ministry of Economy Ministry of Conflict Resolution In Samtskhe-Javakheti Governor’s Office in Akhaltsikhe Monthly Coordination Meeting of Stakeholders Coordination Unit District-Level Working Groups (DWG) Ninotsminda District Office & WG Akhaltsikhe District Office & WG Aspindza District Office & WG Akhalkalaki District Office & WG Borjomi District Office & WG Adigeni District Office & WG

8. Challenges Effective Donor Coordination Frequent changes of local authorities Lack of Formally Approved Strategic Development Plan

9. Support to Democratic Governance in Imereti Region of Georgia

10. Support to Democratic Governance in Imereti Increase capacity of regional and local/district administrations to exercise accountable and efficient public management Provide necessary ICT tools for local officials at district and regional levels Address human rights violations through PDO regional office Establish Gender Equality Resource Center

12. Major Achievements Capacity of regional and local/district administrations for decentralized governance enhanced Necessary ICT tools for local officials at district and regional levels provided (11 public e-clubs established) Fully operational PDO Gender Equality Resource Center Established in 2006

13. Imereti web portal

14. Challenges Donor Coordination Frequent changes of local authorities Low capacity of local authorities Delayed implementation of tasks by sub-contractors

15. Thank You