Small Grants Programme will empower sustainable initiatives in Three Alazani Rivers Biosphere Reserve

The projects were selected within the Small Grants Programme (SGP), organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The Michael Succow Foundation (MSF) is actively involved in this programme as an evaluation committee member. 26 submissions underwent thorough evaluation and 15 outstanding projects were shortlisted for further development. The projects encompass a diverse spectrum of endeavors, ranging from promoting sustainable natural resource use, eco-tourism, and renewable energy sources within the biosphere reserve to supporting local production, such as for example the traditional "Guda" cheese.

The shortlisted projects were presented to the selection committee during a session held in Kakheti (Georgia) from February 26th to 28th. Following comprehensive presentations and Q&A sessions, the committee visited some project sites and held meetings with potential beneficiaries. The implementation of these projects will significantly contribute to the sustainable development of the Three Alazani Rivers Biosphere Reserve in Georgia.

The SGP is organized as part of the ongoing project "Biosphere Reserves as model regions for sustainable development – capacity development for coordinated and effective management of the Three Alazani Rivers Biosphere Reserve" in collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA), and the Regional Environmental Center for the Caucasus (RECC), and with financial support from the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV) via the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) within the DIAPOL-CE – Policy Dialogue and Knowledge Management on Climate Protection Strategies project.