The Project, as part of ENPARD Phase II, intends to build on the results and achievements of ENPARD I project Local Action Group (LAG) Kazbegi (2015–2017). While implementing the project, People in Need developed a strong understanding of the local context, the constraints and opportunities that exist within the municipality and the stakeholders that make up the Local Action Groups. The project will continue to promote the principle of a bottom-up, locally-led rural development approach (LEADER approach) that has been supported under ENPARD I. The focus will be on the best ways to make LAG Kazbegi more professional and sustainable, building their knowledge and capacity and providing them with the tools to allow them to operate independently after the project’s completion.

The project will also support the disbursal of development sub-grants that will further support the realisation of the Local Development Strategies (LDS) that have been developed. The project will work to create a network of all LAGs developed under the ENPARD programme (and other similar initiatives). This network – termed the Georgian Association of LAGs (GALAG) – will be a conduit for information exchange and learning across the country and will act as an advocate for community-led local development with key state and non-state actors.