There is growing consensus between all sides of the Georgian political spectrum that the issue of household and individual indebtedness has to be addressed. The problem is overwhelming
and often under-discussed – around 45% of people admit in surveys to carrying debt. This may even understate the problem as other macroeconomic indicators suggest the number
could be closer to 70%.
This research project is intended to analyse the opportunities that have been created by Georgia’s signing of the Association Agreement with the EU. It is undertaken by GeoWel Research and will contribute to EBRD’s Country Diagnostic development process.
GeoWel is a research partner for People in Need (PiN)’s pilot project, which is funded by ENPARD. The project provided assistance to the three largest agricultural VET providers in Imereti, as well as to the Veterinary Association and the Builders’ Association.
GeoWel is a research partner for the People in Need (PiN)’s Local Action Group (LAG) Kazbegi project. This is a pilot project funded by ENPARD and the aim is to help local communities to mobilize, identify priorities for development and address them with the initial support of the project.
GeoWel Research has analysed trade, remittances, foreign investment and official development assistance. We have tried to assess the way in which economic inter-dependencies in the broader Caucasus region feed into security and insecurity.
The project investigated six agricultural communities in Georgia and six agricultural communities in Armenia, all of which are fairly close to the border of the two countries. They looked at agricultural products important to each community, particularly meat, cheese, milk and potatoes.
The purpose of this research was to identify and document the ways in which gender plays a part in the value chains of rural communities in Armenia and Georgia, so as to help inform gender-oriented programming in the JOIN Project.
As part of the development of their new Country Partnership Strategy, Dr Welton provided ADB with an overview of the Georgian economy and private sector environment. This was particularly focus on the situation up until the change of government in 2012.
In order to help Rustavi steel draw attention to the importance of the heavy industry sector in Georgia, GeoWel Research undertook a macroeconomic review of the sector. It also involved a consideration of industrial policy and a brief consideration of the policies which the Georgian government could deploy to help the sector if they wished.
Dr George Welton, as lead researcher and writer, working with research teams in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan produced a comparative analysis of the agricultural sector in the three countries for UNDP, financed by SDC.
