Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698054594793.pdf (Georgia)
ENVIRONMENTAL, GENDER AND SOCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS, RISK MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY PLAN (EGSIA & RMSP) OF SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN TOURISM AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE (GRETA) PROJECT This document has been prepared by the ACT and CENN for the GRETA project (Co-funded by the EU and the two EU member states Sweden and Austria) This study has been prepared with the assistance of the European Union, The Sweden, and the Austrian Development Cooperation.
Its contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, the Sweden and the Austrian Development Cooperation.

Table of Contents List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................................. 5 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... 6 1.
Environmental Gender and Social Risk and Impact Assessment ..................................... 28 2.

Alignment to International and National Policies and Legislation .................................. 30 3.

Current Environmental Conditions .................................................................................. 34 3.1.

3.2.
3.2.

Terrain, landscapes and hydrology .............................................................................. 34 Climate and Climate Change Trends ............................................................................ 49 3.3.

Mineral Resources ....................................................................................................... 53 3.4.

3.5.

3.6.

3.7.
Soil Types ..................................................................................................................... 55 Biodiversity (flora, fauna) ............................................................................................ 57 Forests and Protected Areas ........................................................................................ 61 Land Use Types ............................................................................................................ 70 3.8.
Water Provision and Waste Waters ............................................................................ 76 3.9.

Solid Waste Generation and Management ................................................................. 78 3.10.

Animal Waste ............................................................................................................... 81 3.11.

Areas of Historic Contamination with Arsenic Waste ................................................. 82 3.12.
Energy Sector ............................................................................................................... 83 4.

DRR and Climate Change ................................................................................................. 86 4.1.

4.2.

Geology and DRR ......................................................................................................... 86 Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Measures ...................................... 93 5.
Assessment of Environmental Risks and Impacts of the Project Implementation ......... 99 6.

Current Socio-Economic Conditions .............................................................................. 116 6.1 Needs, barriers, problems of vulnerable groups in the target regions ....................... 123 6.2 Organizations, responsible for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion problems ......... 137 7.
Assessment of Gender and Social Risks and Impacts of the Project Implementation .. 142 Environmental (including climate action), Gender and Social Impacts and Risks 8.
Management and Sustainability Plan .................................................................................... 147 8.1 Recommended actions to avoid or mitigate possible negative impacts and to enhance sustainability opportunities by GRETA project .................................................................. 147 Climate Change related actions – Sustainable Mountain Tourism ................................... 147 Climate Change related actions – Organic Agriculture ...................................................... 148 Water resources related actions - Sustainable Mountain Tourism ................................... 149 Water resources related actions – Organic Agriculture .................................................... 150 2 Waste management related actions - Sustainable Mountain Tourism ............................. 150 Forest resources related actions – Sustainable Mountain Tourism and Organic Agriculture ............................................................................................................................................ 151 Biodiversity and Protected Areas related actions – Sustainable Mountain Tourism and Organic Agriculture ............................................................................................................ 152 Preservation of Local Landscape Actions – Sustainable Mountain Tourism ..................... 153 Soil Protection Actions –Organic Agriculture .................................................................... 154 Actions related
154 Actions related to Social and Gender impacts and opportunities – Sustainable Mountain Tourism and Organic Agriculture ....................................................................................... 155 8.2 Indicators for measuring potential environmental, gender and social risks and impacts and for monitoring the effectiveness of their mitigation measures ..................................... 157 8.3 Monitoring Scheme for the Collection and Determination of the Indicators to be Compared Against the Targets .............................................................................................. 160 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................... 172 Figure 1 - Map of Chiatura municipality ............................................................................................... 35 Figure 2 - Map of Sachkhere municipality ............................................................................................ 37 Figure 3 - Map of Tkibuli municipality .................................................................................................. 38 Figure 4 - Map of Ambrolauri municipality ........................................................................................... 41 Figure 5 - Map of Oni municipality ....................................................................................................... 43 Figure 6 - Map of Lentekhi municipality
 ............................................................................................... 45 Figure 7 - Map of Tsageri municipality.................................................................................................. 47 Figure 8 - Map of Mestia municipality .................................................................................................. 48 Figure 9 - Imereti Caves protected areas .............................................................................................. 67 Figure 10 -Planned Central Caucasus Protected Areas ......................................................................... 69 Figure 11 -Planned Upper Svaneti Glacier National Park ..................................................................... 70 Figure 12 -Distribution of the Agricultural land in Chiatura ................................................................. 71 Figure 13 -Distribution of the Agricultural land in Sachkhere .............................................................. 72 Figure 14 - Distribution of the agricultural land in Tkibuli municipality ............................................... 72 Figure 15 - Arable land area operated by agricultural holdings and its structure (ha)......................... 73 Figure 16 - Distribution of the Agricultural land in Mestia ................................................................... 73 Figure 17 - Distribution of the Agricultural land in Racha-Lechkhumi Lower Svaneti
 .......................... 74 Figure 18 -Distribution of the Agricultural land in Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri and Lentekhi municipalities ........................................................................................................................................ 75 Figure 19 - Arable land area operated by agricultural holdings and its structure (ha)......................... 75 Figure 20 - Number of Tourists in Imereti region and Kutaisi, 2013-2015.
.......................................... 78 Figure 21 - Nikea Landfill ....................................................................................................................... 79 Figure 22 - Cleaning-up of illegal dumpsites ......................................................................................... 81 Figure 23 – Harvested Crops and Cultures.......................................................................................... 119 Figure 24 - Main source of drinking water .......................................................................................... 120 3 Environmental Impact and Risks Related to the Development of Mountain Tourism and Table 1 -Monitoring Scheme ................................................................................................................. 11 Table 2 – Recommended Actions ......................................................................................................... 23 Table 3 - Multi-model ensemble’s prediction of climate parameters for Mestia municipality ............ 53 Table 4 -Dominant tree species by forest districts In Oni and Ambrolauri .......................................... 62 Table 5 - Dominant tree species by forest districts In Lentekhi and Tsageri ........................................ 63 Table 6 - Dominant tree species by forest districts In Sachkhere and Chiatura ................................... 64 Table 7 - Dominant tree species by forest districts In Tkibuli and Mestia ............................................ 65 Table 8 - Forest Fund Territories in target Municipalities ................................................................... 65 Table 9 - Forecast of produced wastes in Kutaisi.
................................................................................ 78 Table 10 -Gasification and gas consumption in the GRETA target municipalities (as per 2016) .......... 84 Table 11 - Firewood Provision in target municipalities: ....................................................................... 85 Table 12 -Impact of climate change on project activities ..................................................................... 94 Table 13 - Climate change adaptation measures and performance indicators for mountain tourism 96 Table 14 - Climate change adaptation measures and performance indicators for organic agriculture .............................................................................................................................................................. 98 Table 15 Increasing Number of Tourists in the Target Regions......................................................................... 103 Table 16 Environmental Impact and Risks Related to the Development of Organic agriculture in the Target Regions .................................................................................................................................... 114 Table 17 -Sources of energy used for cooking and heating ................................................................ 120 Table 18 -Sex, IDPs and minority group distribution in target regions in percentages ...................... 131 Table 19 -Assessment of living conditions by households with disabled members ........................... 135 Table 20 - Assessment of living conditions by poor households ........................................................ 136 Table 21 -Problems with living conditions of households with IDPs .................................................. 137 Table 22 - Gender equality councils and persons, responsible for gender equality issues in the target regions................................................................................................................................................. 138
138 Table 23 - Gender equality institutions on the national level ............................................................ 138 Table 24 - Officials responsible for gender equality at the governors’ administrations in the target regions................................................................................................................................................. 139 Table 25 - Non-Governmental organisations on the national level .................................................... 139 Table 26 - Non-Governmental organisations in the target regions .................................................... 140 Table 27 -Needs, barriers and accessibility of the vulnerable groups in the target regions .............. 142 Table 28 - Impact and Risks Related to the Development of Mountain Tourism, Increasing Number of Tourists and Organic agriculture in the Target Regions ..................................................................... 144 Table 29- List of Indicators for measuring environmental, gender and social risks and impacts and their mitigation measures (by components) ...................................................................................... 157 Table 30 – Monitoring Scheme ........................................................................................................... 160 4 List of Abbreviations ACT ADA APA CAPI/PAPI CCRA CEDAW CENN CITES CRPD CRPD DMOs DRR EGSIA EGSIM ENPARD FG GeoStat GFA GHG GNTA GRETA ICCAMGR ILO LEPL MEA MEPA MRDC NACHPG NALAG NFC NAP NAP - AG NEA RA RMSP SDGs SDGs T&Q TIC UNFCCC WTO Analysis and Consulting Team Austrian Development Agency Agency of Protected Areas Computer Assisted/Paper Based (Paper and Pencil) Interview Climate Change Risk Analysis Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women Caucasus Environmental NGO Network Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
 Destination Management Organization Disaster Risk Reduction Environmental Gender and Social Impact Assessment Manual Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development Focus Group Discussion National Statistics Office of Georgia Georgian Farmers Association Greenhouse gases Georgian National Tourism Administration Green Economy - Mountain Tourism and Organic Agriculture Institutionalization of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Georgian Regions International Labour Organization Legal Entity of Public Law Multilateral Environmental Agreements Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture Mountain Resorts Development Company National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia National Forestry Concept National Adaptation Plan Climate Change National Adaptation Plan for Georgia’s Agriculture Sector National Environmental Agency Risk Assessment Risk Management and Sustainability Plan Sustainable Development Goals UN Sustainable Development Goals Themes & Quality Unit of ADA Tourist Information Centers The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate World Tourism Organization 5 Executive Summary The environmental, gender and social impact assessment of GRETA project consisted of the study of the existing baseline conditions in the target regions.
Environmental baseline included terrain, landscapes and hydrology, climate and climate change trends, mineral resources, soil types, biodiversity, forests and protected areas, land use types, water provision and waste waters, solid waste generation and management, areas of historic contamination with arsenic waste, energy sector; geology, DRR and climate change risk assessment and adaptation measures; socio economic baseline included study of the population in the target municipalities with the focus on gender and vulnerable groups – households with having a person with disability, households living beyond the poverty line and households with IDP status; short overview of the project alignment to international and national policies and legislation of Georgia and ADA guidelines for environmental, gender and social impact management; the assessment of environmental gender and social impacts and risks related to the implementation of the GRETA project activities (mountain tourism and organic agriculture) and measures proposed to manage the risks and mitigate negative impacts and enhance and replicate positive effects of the project.
Key Environmental Impacts and Risks Sustainable Mountain Tourism Tourism, especially nature tourism, is closely linked to biodiversity.

The quality of the environment, both natural and man-made, is essential to tourism.

However, tourism's relationship with the environment is complex and involves many activities that can have adverse environmental effects.
• Environmental impacts of tourism development in the target areas at the global level will contribute to: – Climate change: Tourism involves the movement of people from their actual locations to other destinations by air or road transport, which contributes to the increase of GHG concentrations in the atmosphere.

Passenger jets with international travellers are the growing source of greenhouse gas emissions.
– Depletion of the ozone layer: The direct impacts of tourism industry start with the construction of new infrastructure and continue during daily management and operations.

Refrigerators, air conditioners and propellants in aerosol spray cans, amongst others, contain ODSs (Ozone depleting substances) and are widely used in the hotel and tourism industry.

Emissions from jet aircraft are also a significant source of ODSs.
• At the local level, the negative impacts of tourism are mainly related to increased pressure and consumption of natural resources: – Fresh water: The tourism industry generally overuses water resources for hotels, swimming pools, sports areas and personal use of water by tourists.

This can result in water shortages and degradation of water supplies, as well as generating a greater volume of waste water.
Although the issue of water scarcity is not of a particular concern in the target regions, however this can contribute to the depletion of the fresh water resources and pollution of 6 surface and ground waters with untreated waste waters.

In the locations where the water comes from wells, over pumping can cause saline intrusion into groundwater.

– Forest resources can suffer from the negative impacts of tourism in the form of deforestation caused by fuel wood collection.
High demand can be placed upon these resources to meet the expectations of tourists for proper heating, hot water, etc.

– Tourism can create great pressure on local resources like energy, food, and other raw materials that may already be in short supply.

Greater extraction and transport of these resources exacerbates physical impacts associated with their exploitation.

Increased pressure of land resources can cause (or facilitate) soil erosion.
Land degradation and change of landscapes: Increased construction of tourism and recreational facilities has increased pressure on local resources and on scenic landscapes.

Direct impact on natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable, in the provision of tourist facilities can be caused by the use of land for accommodation and other infrastructure provision, and the use of building materials.

– – – Traditional architecture may be impacted in case of using of non-traditional construction materials.
Buildings without considering traditional architectural style might disturb authentic character of the villages.

Increased transportation and movement of people, adversely affects the local air quality and increases noise and vibration levels of the surrounding natural environment providing habitat for various wildlife species.

Loss or migration of biodiversity due to disturbance (noise, vibration, movement of people and transport, loss of habitat, hunting, poaching).
Loss of biodiversity is usually associated with excessive use of land resources, when impacts on vegetation, wildlife, mountain and water resources exceed their carrying capacity.

This loss of biodiversity in fact means loss of tourism potential.
– - - - Introduction of invasive species: tourists and suppliers can bring in species (insects, wild and cultivated plants and diseases) that are not native to the local environment and that can cause disruption and even destruction of ecosystems.1 Increased demand for local dairy products can be associated with the increase of uncontrolled overgrazing of the pastures; or burning the pasture lands to increase productivity (despite the fact that this practice has adverse impacts on the soil and is prohibited by the law).
Increased number of visitors increases the risk of the forest fires, which can affect local biodiversity and destroy infrastructure.

Negative impacts of the forest fires are multiple starting from destruction of biodiversity, migration of wildlife.

Statistically, only 5% of forest fires are caused by natural processes, the greater majority of the – 95% are due to human negligence.
– The increase number of tourists (and their service providers) results in increase of amount of domestic waste produced in the region.

Increased number of tourists will generate more waste including hazardous, inert and construction waste.

The issues related to waste management and minimization has to be considered for further planning by the local 1 Official webpage of the “Sustainable tourism gateway” http://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/st-documents.html 7 governments.
Growing agricultural production leads to increase the volume of biodegradable organic green waste, which can also create an environmental threat of fire when decomposing in landfills and emitting methane.

The increase amount of the methane emission will contribute to the greenhouse gases emissions.

- Increase amount of the waste waters generated from touristic services and lack of water treatment facilities can cause pollution of surface and ground waters (and soil).
Expected impact of the GRETA project’s ecotourism activities on water and sanitation in the targeted regions largely depends on the scope of implementation of these activities.

The targeted locations differ in terms of access and availability to water resources and sewage systems.

Therefore, expected impact can be fully estimated only after specific activities in each targeted location will be known and approved.
Organic Agriculture Organic agriculture aims to produce food while establishing an ecological balance to prevent soil fertility or pest problems.

Organic agriculture takes a preventive approach instead of treating problems after they emerge.

The crop rotations, inter-cropping, symbiotic associations, cover crops, organic fertilizers and minimum tillage are central to organic practices.
These practices encourage soil fauna and flora, improve soil formation and structure and play an important role in soil erosion control.

Well managed organic systems with better nutrient retentive abilities, greatly reduce the risk of groundwater pollution.

Organic agriculture contributes to mitigating the greenhouse effect and global warming through its ability to sequester carbon in the soil.

Many management practices used by organic agriculture (e.g.
minimum tillage, returning crop residues to the soil, the use of cover crops and rotations, and the greater integration of nitrogen-fixing legumes), increase the return of carbon to the soil, raising productivity and favouring carbon storage.
GHG emissions from Georgia’s agriculture sector are associated with the following four categories: (i) digestive fermentation from animal farming (including sheep breeding); (ii) use of organic fertilizers; (iii) emissions from agricultural lands; (iv) emissions from burning agricultural wastes in the fields.

In 2013, the share of agriculture sector to total GHG emissions of Georgia was 16% (out of them 49 % from digestive fermentation and 40% - from agricultural lands).
Organic agriculture has a potential to reduce GHG from this sector, to increase the carbon sink and sequestration and reduce areas with land degradation.

From the environmental perspective, organic farming can save energy, preserve biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and sustain the environment, especially in the long run.
Key Gender and Social Impacts and Risks The current study of the impact assessment collected data with the focus on gender, economically disadvantaged, IDPs, HHs with a person with a disability.

The sex ratio of population in the target municipalities is equal, percentage of poor population is quite high, while other marginalized constitute less than 1%.

This creates additional barriers for these groups to bring their voice to decisions and advocate for their rights.
8 Poor economic conditions were listed among top 5 problems in all regions and in all regions problems of not enough income and unemployment are on the top three places in the list, while high interest rates for loans are among the top 5.

The economic conditions in the studied three regions vary, with Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti being the most advanced and Imereti being the least developed.
Only 12% of the respondents’ report producing more than for own consumption, the women, who are actively involved in agriculture business, are less involved in corresponding trainings - in the Imereti region, women have not been involved in any trainings on agriculture activities, neither have they heard about these.

On the contrary, according to focus group participants, women in Mestia are usually informed about trainings by the local government representatives.
Life conditions in three target regions vary, with Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region being the most developed in terms of tourist business, and respectively, population having the largest income, while income is the smallest in Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi, with Lower Svaneti located between these two regions.

Having tap water inside the house is reported by 45% of the respondents, among these: 43% of population in Imereti, 53% - in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and 39% - in Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti.
This is the problem for women mostly, because they use water for house chores regularly.

Despite these differences, horizontal and vertical segregation is clear in all target regions, as well as the gender pay gap, however, these are not recognized by locals, they perceive this situation as normal.

Women are free to use their income as they wish, unless they are victims of economic domestic violence, which, according to the recent data, is recognized by 9.6% of population in Georgia.
Traditional family responsibilities prevent women from work in all three regions - the main obstacle for women to work is small children, in some villages there is a problem of kindergartens, birth giving facilities and services.

About 40% of the respondents own their houses or apartments and out of these, mainly men are the owners – 65%, while women – 31%.

Similarly, about 40% of the respondents’ own land plots, 32% are women and 68% are men.
This disproportional ownership becomes a serious obstacle for women if they want to get a loan, or if they divorce.

66% of the survey respondents name men as the heads of families.

At the same time, decisions are nowadays made jointly.
This advancement is seen in the survey data - about 60% of the respondents report that decisions are made jointly by husbands and wives, and in all types of family decisions - how to spend money, to get education, how to run business and agriculture related activities - in average, about 5% more wives are sole decision makers, than husbands.
These percentages are similar across the regions, with one exception of Mestia, where equal 26% of respondents think that decisions on agriculture related activities are done by either husbands or wives.

Overall, women in Mestia and Lentekhi municipalities, according to the individual as well as the focus group interviews, are more independent and active nowadays.

The decision-making power in all spheres of public life is different, however, in all studied regions.
The power is predominantly on men’s side and they are not willing to withdraw.

9 5% of the respondents’ report having a disabled person in their family, and situation of some is even harder as their family’s main source of income is pension and living allowance.

Logically, enough, among the top 5 problems households with disabled list is health care.
Poor people constitute 12% of the population, their source of income is almost exclusively living allowance, hence, they have insufficient money even for food, use forest resources (hay, firewood, and berries) more.

Among the top 5 problems poor people list is unemployment, as well as the lack of income, housing and public transportation.
About 3% of the respondents’ report having IDPs in their family and, they are unevenly distributed among the target regions; 10% in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti, 7% in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and only 1% in Imereti.

The problems and needs of IDPs are similar to those of poor population.
Based on the information considered above, marginalized and vulnerable people in the target regions can be described in terms of their specific needs, access to resources and services, access to information, control of assets, participation in decision-making, capabilities and decision-making powers.
Development of mountain tourism and increasing number of tourists in the target regions as well as development of agriculture, including organic farming, would lead to development of different businesses linked with hospitality – hotels, recreational and entertainment facilities, museums, cultural heritage sites and correspondingly, employment rates of local population, who will be involved in agricultural, construction, marketing, maintenance and service activities.
These, should lead to increased income of local population which, in turn, might lead to such potential benefits as improved housing, health care, education.

At the same time, vulnerable population that faces barriers caused by their special conditions, risk to underuse the above described opportunities and enjoy corresponding benefits to a lesser extent.

All types of marginalized population face a risk to be excluded from being employed, trained/educated, and informed about new developments.
In addition, the disabled population faces barriers with transportation, accessibility of various buildings and facilities, communication.

The IDP and poor population, who have bad housing conditions, cannot afford rent out for tourists and attract corresponding income, and poor population will be limited in advertising for their potential products through internet.

Women, especially those with small children, will not be available for existing job and training opportunities.
Also, they do not recognize and admit their structural gender inequality problems and thus, do not advocate for their rights.

Monitoring Scheme The proposed monitoring scheme uses identified indicators that are being measured against their respective baseline and targets.

Specific indicators are provided for monitoring results of the proposed mitigation measures recommended by EGSIA Study.

The top 10 indicators are color-coded in red.
10 Table 1 -Monitoring Scheme Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Needs to be evaluated for the project specific locations Enhanced quality of water, decreased level of pollution with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides Increased number of biodegradable/ vegetal residues due to growing agricultural activities, increased use of manure and slurry in organic agriculture Increased risk of spread of zoonotic diseases due to more intensive animal farming activities More intensive sheep-farming and livestock sector can harm water quality through the release of nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients, pathogens and other substances into waterways and groundwater, mainly from manure Support households- beneficiaries in composting of organic materials; Support introduction of biogas technology as a clean source of energy; Support planning and implementation of activities to develop capacities on sanitary standards of animal farming including those related to manure management.
Quality of drinking water in the project areas - assessed against national drinking water standards Quality of water used for irrigation - assessed against national irrigation water standards Level of pollution with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Before, during and after implementation Means of verification and responsible party Laboratory analyses conducted in project locations.
Local municipalities and project team locally also project beneficiaries Increased number of users Increased demand on water by tourist service providers Increased use of water resources by touristic infrastructure Cooperate with the municipalities on calculation of available water supply against projected demand.
Assist Number of households connected to central water supply system and having access to Data available from the baseline chapter Number of households connected to central water supply system increased GWP local offices and respective municipalities.
Project team During and after implementation Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target in provision of adequate assess to water resources the sufficient water supply Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Information provided by municipalities.
Before and after implementation Respective municipalities and project team To be counted by project Available in the baseline chapter (per municipalities) Number of households connected to sewage system Number of households with septic tanks/pits Number of households connected to sewage system increased Number of households with septic tanks/pits increased Increased use of water resources by organic agricultural activities Increased generation of waste waters from tourist service providers and their facilities and their discharge into the rivers and streams More solid waste generated by increased number of tourists and their service providers Capacity building of the local authorities and tourist service providers on management of waste waters from guest houses and hotel facilities; Supporting design, planning and implementation of the wastewater treatment facilities in the target regions; Encouraging touristic business service providers in the target region to use the standard of international system of ecological management recognized by the Georgia (ISO14000); Capacity building of tourist service providers in waste management.
Training and Amount of solid waste generated within the municipality (m3); Available in the baseline chapter (per municipalities) Available in the baseline chapter (on regional level) Waste generated per household/municip ality/project specific area (m3); The increased amount of solid waste is managed sustainably Decreased amount of solid waste generated per household Waste management plans by municipalities; Respective municipality Before and after implementation Before and after implementation 12 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target instructions of the respective personnel in waste management practices and procedures; Support target municipalities in implementation and Enforcement of Municipal Waste Management Action Plans (2018-2022) and waste monitoring programs; Encourage guesthouse owners to conduct laboratory testing of the drinking water from natural sources and of tap water and to make the results of the tests (certificates) available to the tourists, indicate drinking water sources on the tracking maps and making them available for tourists, provide multi-use water containers to be Amount of solid waste generated by project beneficiaries (m3); Number of households using the municipal collection service.
Plastic waste generated within project sites (m3) and % from total waste Number of plastic bottles and plastic packaging (lunch boxes) used by the tourists Needs to be calculated by project Official data is available from the municipalities but needs to be checked for verification of real accessibility of the collection services Need to be projected based on the number of tourists and widespread practices in project specific locations Decreased amount of solid waste generated per household Number of households using the municipal collection service increased Decreased amount of waste plastic bottles and packaging Amount and % of plastic waste from total solid waste generated by project beneficiaries decreased measured against Usage of plastic bottles increased by tourists who avoid drinking tap water or water from natural sources Means of verification and responsible party Project Calculations by project staff and beneficiaries Municipalities and calculations by project Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities During implementation Before and after implementation Calculations by project staff and beneficiaries Before, during and after implementation 13 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities filled from tap or from natural sources, provide portable lunches in biodegradable packaging instead of plastic packaging; Unsustainable disposal of waste plastic bottles and plastic packaging and littering increased Encourage separate collection of plastic bottles on the premises and research the ways of their re-use or recycling locally; Number of plastic bottles collected separately and recycled Evaluation by the project staff average in the municipality Increased amount of waste plastic bottles separately collected and recycled by project beneficiaries Increased amount of hazardous waste e.g.
luminescence lamps containing mercury, batteries from electric devices, cell phones, laptops, children’s toys, shaving equipment etc.)
Support establishment of household hazardous waste collection facility in each target municipality and safe recycling of household hazardous waste by a permitted waste handler or an Amount of hazardous waste (kg) Studies need to be conducted for the establishment of baseline in project location Amount of hazardous wastes disposed on landfills / environment is decreased Before, during and after implementation Before and after implementation Studies of waste composition in specific locations to be conducted Municipal waste management plans and calculations by the project Existing situation and trends should be studied by the project staff Respective municipality and project team 14 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities authorized recycling facility; Support establishment of take-back programs (e.g.
containers and packaging, while selling new lamps businesses will have to take back and recycle used ones); Support activities on separation of solid waste materials into hazardous, non-hazardous and reusable waste streams; Promotion of more environmentally friendly rechargeable Li-ion batteries; Supporting local authorities of the target municipalities in organization of proper waste management, including separate collection, recycling, waste production prevention, circular economy, improvement of packaging of local products sold to Increased littering near areas with high concentrations of tourist activities (national parks, forests and cultural areas) State of littering along roadsides and near tourist activities areas Littering near areas with high concentrations of tourist activities decreased Studies in project locations; Project Before, during and after implementation 15 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Increased amount of inert waste from construction and refurbishing activities and waste disposal at municipal landfills or directly in environment due to the absence of special permissible landfills (especially in Mestia) tourists, especially around tourist hubs; Conduct risk assessments of current waste management in mountain areas, including potential risk for downstream areas from both large and small- scale waste dumping; Assess the situation regarding inert waste disposal opportunities (especially, in Mestia) and identify location for waste disposal.
Support storing the inert waste temporarily on site, in secure facilities.
Collection and disposal of all construction waste at designated location Number of the illegal dumping sites of construction materials Number of illegal construction waste dumping sites within project location needs to be calculated for the baseline Before and after implementation Number of illegal construction waste dumping sites within project location needs to be calculated; Project staff Number of inert wastes disposed on landfills/ environment is decreased; Municipal Waste Management plans address issue of illegal dumping sites and littering 16 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Forest cover (ha) Area of agricultural land (ha) Cultivated Agricultural (ha) Pastures (ha) Available in the baseline chapter (per municipalities) Land use change avoided Historic land use pattern safeguarded Means of verification and responsible party National Statistics Office of Georgia Geostat, Project team Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Before and after implementation Possible change of land use or increase of agricultural land areas due to development of organic agriculture, which uses more land compared to conventional farming Increased pressure on land resources from more intensive sheep farming might lead to deterioration and overgrazing of the pastures Identification of sensitive areas that are likely to be affected by such new developments; Facilitating elaboration and approval of local development plans (Master Plans) that will regulate new constructions and delineate boundaries of settlements; Conducting awareness raising on the importance of preserving authentic architecture; Support in planning and implementation of protection actions, including support in the process of designation and management of the planned protected areas.
Capacity building of local farmers through training and awareness rising on sustainable use of land resources, sustainable Number of sheep per m2; Condition of the pasture lands in the project area Data needs to be collected for specific project locations Number of sheep per m2 corresponds to the sustainable pattern of grazing Information- consultation centres of the municipalities (MEPA) and Before and After implementation 17 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities (carrying capacity of the pastures) Pasture land degradation avoided; general conditions of pastures enhanced Deterioration of Soil conditions avoided, level of soil pollution decreased respected municipalities/ Project team, beneficiaries and respective municipalities Carrying capacity of the pastures needs to be established for project locations/Project Laboratory analyses of soil conditions in specific project locations Municipalities, project team Before implementation Before and after implementation Level of nutrients in soil in project specific sites Level of soil pollution from agriculture General information on soil composition is available, but data needs to be collected for specific project locations Increased pressure on soil productivity from more intensive agricultural activities targeted to satisfy increased demands for local products pasture and soil management; Support rotational grazing and development of pasture management plans; Calculating the carrying capacity of the pastures for project locations and using it for development of the pasture management plans.
Supporting application of the management practices used by organic agriculture such as minimum tillage, organic soil cover, returning crop residues to the soil, the use of rotations, and the integration of nitrogen- fixing legumes in order increase the return of carbon to the soil, raising productivity and favouring carbon storage; Capacity building of local farmers through training and awareness rising on 18 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Visitation of Tsutskhvati Cave Natural Monument reached unsustainable numbers Unsustainable harvest of medicinal plants, wild fruits, berries and mushrooms sustainable use of land resources, avoidance of application of chemicals in agriculture, plot rotation and sustainable pasture and soil management.
Training tourist service providers and guides on how to instruct the tourists and plan the tours; Supporting in calculation carrying capacity of the cave for sustainable use Support in establishment of sustainable quotas; Capacity building and awareness rising campaigns for project beneficiaries.
Increased pressure on timber resources for heating and cooking by increased number of tourist service providers Assessment of the energy demand for heating and cooking by project beneficiaries and generally by the tourist service providers in the target Number of tourists visiting Tsutskhvati Cave Natural Monument measured against carrying capacity of the cave Amount of harvested medicinal plants, wild fruits, berries and mushrooms measured against carrying capacity of the forest in project areas Usage of firewood for cooking and heating purposes (m3) and % from total energy for Carrying capacity needs to be calculated baseline information on the number of visitors available from APA Carrying capacity needs to be calculated Data available in the baseline chapter.
Specific info needs to be collected for the project locations General data is available.
Specific data on project location needs to be collected for the baseline Number of tourists visiting Tsutskhvati Cave Natural Monument corresponds carrying capacity of the cave Quota for sustainable use of non-timber resources established and enforced Before and after implementation Information on number of visitors available from APA/ APA, Project team Data needs to be collected by the project/Project, NFA Before and during implementation Amount of firewood for cooking and heating purposes (m3) and % from total energy for Specific data on project location needs to be collected /Project team Before, during and after implementation 19 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities municipalities and studying alternatives to fuel wood; Support introduction and usage of alternative heating sources by tourism service suppliers, e.g.
introduction of solar thermal applications for water and room heating in guesthouses and other facilities; Assess the energy efficiency needs of the project beneficiaries and provide support in meeting energy efficiency standard.

In order to provide equal access to information about new opportunities, trainings, etc.
in close cooperation with local government, NGOs and local activists plan special outreach measures for representatives of vulnerable groups and for women who have to stay Representatives of vulnerable groups might have non-equal access to information about new opportunities, trainings, etc Representatives of vulnerable groups might less participate in decision making process cooking and heating decreased cooking and heating Usage of solar hot water heating systems by the project beneficiaries, and amount of firewood that could have been used for heating in absence of such systems (m3) Number of persons from vulnerable groups of population receiving information, participated in the trainings, engaged in the project activities Results of ACT survey shows unequal assess Results of ACT survey shows unequal participation in decision making Representatives from vulnerable groups of population are given equal access to information and equal opportunities to be engaged in project activities Relevant/segrega ted data needs to be collected by project staff at all stages of project implementation/ Project team During implementation During implementation 20 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Potential exclusion and non- equal access to new and well- paid jobs for women and other vulnerable groups of population Increase in non-registered Business Activity home and look after their small children.
Use local TV companies for spread of information; Provide skills trainings for representatives of vulnerable groups; Encourage local government representatives/members of gender equality councils to collect full relevant data, segregated by gender, as well as all types of marginalized groups, including information on ethnic and religious minorities.
Provide training/awareness rising for business owners on issues such as equal pay, work conditions, overtime remuneration, help with children, flexible working hours, etc.
Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Before and during implementation Relevant/segrega ted data needs to be collected by project staff /Project team and to make decisions Number of women and representatives from vulnerable groups of population giving equal access to new and well-paid jobs General information from GeoStat on the gender wage gap in Georgia Specific information for baseline needs to be collected by the project Number of women and representatives from vulnerable groups of population giving equal access to new and well- paid jobs increased Number of non- registered businesses in project locations Number of non- registered businesses in the project locations decreased To be calculated in order to set a baseline GeoStat provides information only on registered businesses To be calculated by the project /Project team Before and after implementation 21 Risk management and mitigation measures Risk management and mitigation measures to be implemented and monitored by the GRETA project were elaborated in order to avoid, mitigate and sustainably manage the environmental (including climate action), gender and social impacts and risks that might result from the project activities in the targeted municipalities of Georgia.
The recommendations are based on the conducted baseline studies and on the EIA, CCRA, GIA and SIA.

The actions are categorized based on the two directions of the project: Sustainable Mountain Tourism, and Organic Agriculture.

As some impacts could be expected from the both directions, those mitigation measures are given in combined recommendations.

The table below describes the recommended actions to be implemented for risk mitigation.
Table 2 – Recommended Actions Component Sustainable Tourism Climate Change Recommendations • Supporting strengthening capacities of local meteorological services and establishment of the local weather forecast and early warning services for timely provision of information on expected hazards and recommendations on preventive measures.
The information shall also include communication about risks associated with winter tourism (e.g., on snow cover, anticipated avalanches, increasing temperature and humidity, etc.)
and be available to the population residing in the high-risk areas and major infrastructural facilities (mainly on roads) located in the hazard prone areas; • Examination of the climate change induced risks on touristic routes, and ensuring inclusion of the local population for considering local knowledge and experience in the risk assessment process; • Development of the safety rules for the movement on the tourist routes, and made available for tourists upon arrival in hotels and tourist service centres.
Relevant trainings for touristic guides should be conducted; • Strengthening capacities of the rescue services and establishment of the well-equipped special medical service to enable prompt arrival to the scene of accident and provision of the required assistance.
Establishment of the adequately equipped rescue teams staffed with professionals are established in the regions (one in each) and provision of regular trainings; Organization of volunteers, as a reserve force in the activities directed at the elimination and minimization of the impact of natural disasters; • Supporting continuous monitoring of climate change and its negative impact on tourism and considering results by supporting alternative forms of mountain tourism in the process of tourism sector development and planning.
The international experience, including the experience of the Alpine region could be considered.

Water Resources • Capacity building of the local authorities and tourist service providers on management of waste waters from guest houses and hotel facilities; • Supporting design, planning and implementation of the wastewater treatment facilities in the target regions; • Supporting waste-to-energy opportunities including sanitation/waste water sludge.
Waste Management • Capacity building of tourist service providers in waste management.
Training and instructions of the respective personnel in waste management practices and procedures; • Awareness rising campaigns and trainings for general public, including for small children on the importance of proper waste management and disposal; • Supporting local authorities of the target municipalities in organization of proper waste management, including separate collection, recycling, waste production prevention, circular economy, improvement of packaging of local products sold to tourists, especially around tourist hubs; Component Recommendations • Support target municipalities in implementation and Enforcement of Municipal Waste Management Action Plans (2018-2022) and waste monitoring programs; • Encourage guesthouse owners to conduct laboratory testing of the drinking water from natural sources and of tap water and to make the results of the tests (certificates) available to the tourists, indicate drinking water sources on the tracking maps and making them available for tourists, provide multi-use water containers to be filled from tap or from natural sources, provide portable lunches in biodegradable packaging instead of plastic packaging; • Encourage separate collection of plastic bottles on the premises and research the ways of their re-use or recycling locally; • Conduct risk assessments of current waste management in mountain areas, including potential risk for downstream areas from both large and small-scale waste dumping; • Support establishment of household hazardous waste collection facility in each target municipality and safe recycling of household hazardous waste by a permitted waste handler or an authorized recycling facility; • Support establishment of take-back programs (e.g.
containers and packaging, while selling new lamps businesses will have to take back and recycle used ones); • Support activities on separation of solid waste materials into hazardous, non-hazardous and reusable waste streams; • Promotion of more environmentally friendly rechargeable Li-ion batteries; • Assess the situation regarding inert waste disposal opportunities (especially, in Mestia) and identify location for waste disposal.

Support storing the inert waste temporarily on site, in secure facilities.
Collection and disposal of all construction waste at designated location.
Local landscape • Identification of sensitive areas that are likely to be affected by such new developments; • Facilitating elaboration and approval of local development plans (Master Plans) that will regulate new constructions and delineate boundaries of settlements; • Conducting awareness raising on the importance of preserving authentic architecture; • Support in planning and implementation of protection actions, including support in the process of designation and management of the planned protected areas.
Organic Agriculture Climate Change • Development of hydrometeorological service and network for planning seasonal farming activities or improvement of agricultural insurance packages; • Conducting inventory and conditions of soils under agricultural crops taking into account climate change, undertaking special studies to determine changes in soil fertility and recommending measures for improvement of soil fertility; • Supporting municipalities in developing, planning and implementing specific agrotechnical measures and programs for improvement of soil fertility; 24 Component Recommendations • Developing Capacity of agricultural extension services in climate change adaptation (including climate resilient crops) measures and modern climate-smart agricultural technologies (raised bed, mulching, using drip irrigation, no-till and mini-till technologies for the soil processing, using modern, high-yield crop varieties etc.)
by developing and implementing programs for regular retraining of the personnel of agricultural extension services and improvement of physical infrastructure of these services; Water Resources • Support households-beneficiaries in composting of organic materials; • Support introduction of biogas technology as a clean source of energy which will also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere and produce valuable by-products for fertilization purposes.
• Support planning and implementation of activities to develop capacities on sanitary standards of animal farming including those Soil Protection related to manure management.
• Supporting application of the management practices used by organic agriculture such as minimum tillage, organic soil cover, returning crop residues to the soil, the use of rotations, and the integration of nitrogen-fixing legumes in order increase the return of carbon to the soil, raising productivity and favouring carbon storage; • Capacity building of local farmers through training and awareness raising on sustainable use of land resources, avoidance of application of chemicals in agriculture, plot rotation and sustainable pasture and soil management.
• Assess and support waste-to-energy opportunities especially from organic waste and agricultural residues; • In cooperation with relevant educational and research institutions support studies on assessment of opportunities of introducing permaculture in Georgia, and providing general information to project beneficiaries; • The project activities can encourage and motivate farmers in the target areas to use uncultivated agricultural plots, which are currently abandoned; • The positive environmental impacts resulting from promotion of the organic agriculture activities of the GRETA project can be enhanced and replicated in the other regions of Georgia.
• Capacity building of local farmers through training and awareness rising on sustainable use of land resources, sustainable pasture and soil management; • Support rotational grazing and development of pasture management plans; • Calculating the carrying capacity of the pastures for project locations and using it for development of the pasture management plans.
Sustainable Tourism and Organic Agriculture Forest Resources • Assessment of the energy demand for heating and cooking by project beneficiaries and generally by the tourist service providers in the target municipalities and studying alternatives to fuel wood; • Support introduction and usage of alternative heating sources by tourism service suppliers, e.g.
introduction of solar thermal applications for water and room heating in guesthouses and other facilities; 25 Component Recommendations • Assess the energy efficiency needs of the project beneficiaries and provide support in meeting energy efficiency standard; • Development of the collection of wild berries has to be based on the sustainable manner and the users should be aware of the Biodiversity Protected Areas basic guidelines while harvesting non-timber products in the forest.
• Identification fire risk areas; • Support awareness raising activities among touristic service providers and guides, and tourists on fire related issues; • Support relevant state institutions (forest management institution, emergency services) in planning and implementation of fire prevention and firefighting measures.
and • Support planning and implementation of activities to develop capacities of local actors on undertaking proper sanitary control measures; • Provide information to the beneficiaries on existing regulations in agricultural sector, including food safety and proper sanitation, e.g.
requirement to use only licensed slaughter houses; • Application of One Health approach to controlling zoonotic transmission will be required, considering animals, people and the environment in a comprehensive approach to public health; • Prior agreement with the beneficiaries to plant native flowers and to facilitate nesting sites for native bee species by leaving dead branches and bare dirt accessible; • Awareness raising about the importance of native bee species; • Avoid overpopulation of one area with too many honeybees; • Identification highly sensitive areas – local biodiversity hotspots and species in order to avoid or limit presence of tourists in such Social and Gender impacts areas; • Training tourist service providers and guides on how to instruct the tourists and plan the tours; • Support in planning and implementation of mitigation measures, such as granting protection status, including designation and management of the planned protected areas.
• Establish cooperation with local government representatives/members of gender equality councils who should be actively involved in the project activities as well as encouraged to use GRB principles in program budgets (provide trainings on GRB if needed), to reach out for vulnerable population, facilitate their participation in decision making; work on opening more kindergartens.

etc.
etc.

; • Encourage local government representatives/members of gender equality councils to collect full relevant data, segregated by gender, as well as all types of marginalized groups, including information on ethnic and religious minorities.
These data are necessary for creating a baseline to be able to evaluate impacts of future interventions; • Establish cooperation with international (UN WOMEN, for example) and local organizations which work on GRB to learn and use their experience of implementing gender equality principles in program budgets; 26 Component Recommendations • Provide skills trainings for representatives of vulnerable groups; • Provide training/awareness rising for business owners on issues such as equal pay, work conditions, overtime remuneration, help with children, flexible working hours, etc.
• For ensuring equal participation in the decision-making, plan special outreach measures in close cooperation with local government and NGOs and facilitate meetings to encourage representatives of marginalized and vulnerable groups to express their opinion; • In order to provide equal access to information about new opportunities, trainings, etc.
in close cooperation with local government, NGOs and local activists plan special outreach measures for representatives of vulnerable groups and for women who have to stay home and look after their small children.
Use local TV companies for spread of information; • Encourage project beneficiaries to facilitate as much as possible access to all types of jobs for women; • Encourage project beneficiaries to offer new jobs to the representatives of the vulnerable groups and to avoid risk of offering them low paid jobs; • Cooperate with international and local organizations, both governmental and nongovernmental, including research institutions, to plan experimental and/or quasi-experimental evaluation studies of future intervention programs.
Such studies are quite frequent in developing countries, however, almost non-existent in Georgia.

Detailed analysis of Mestia’s situation might be used as a case study by focusing on the questions like: what has changed after development of tourism in terms of business, income, education, etc.

Have the conditions, accessibility of vulnerable groups improved since?

27 1.
Environmental Gender and Social Risk and Impact Assessment Assessment of the environmental, gender and social risks and impacts associated with the GRETA project aims to enhance the environmental outcomes of the projects, ensure gender mainstreaming and facilitate inclusion of the vulnerable groups; the outcomes should also contribute to the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); avoid negative environmental, gender and social impacts; minimize and mitigate negative impacts where avoidance is not possible; and strengthen the capacities to manage risks and adverse impacts.
The assessment takes into the consideration the following overarching policies and principles: • ADA is committed to contribute to the SDGs and explicitly endorses a policy in favour of the poor, • marginalized and vulnerable; interventions funded by the ADA must, above all, be in line with national development policies and strategies of the countries they take place in.
• a set of the following basic principles and quality criteria of ADA in the course of the design and planning stage of a programme or project: ownership; do no harm; equity, equality and non- discrimination; inclusive participation and equal representation of all stakeholders; accountability and transparency; empowerment; and sustainability.
Environmental sustainability: Austria’s response to the challenges of environmental and climate issues for development cooperation is based on the specific principles set out in the Austrian Strategy for Environment and Development and in alignment to the commitments made by Georgia under the declarations of international accords, agreements, frameworks and the Rio Conventions.
The environmental and climate policies and principles that ADA commits to are as per the below: • harnessing synergies between environmental protection and poverty reduction; • preventing adverse and maximizing beneficial environmental impacts, climate adaptation and mitigation measures; • adopting integrated, multi-sectoral approaches, wherever possible; • promoting local ownership and management of natural resources; • advocating the integration of environmental protection and climate action in national development plans; • helping raise awareness and develop capacity in environmental protection and climate action; • promoting a holistic approach to environmental goods and equitable sharing of the benefits of environmental protection and climate action; • engaging in international cooperation and contributing to implementing environmental and climate conventions; • drawing on experience and know-how in Austria.
The environmental assessment considers the following project-level standards defined by ADA to mainstream environmental sustainability: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management; Climate Action; Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention Management.

Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls: The promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are central to the work of the ADA.
This includes advocating for women’s and girls’ human rights, combating discriminatory practices, strengthening women’s voices and roles in decision making, reducing gender inequalities in access to and control over resources, challenging the roles and stereotypes that create inequalities and exclusion.
The ADA adheres to the following policies and principles for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls: • do not discriminate against women or girls and do not reinforce gender-based discrimination and inequalities; • are based on the principle of equal opportunity and fair treatment; • are gender-responsive and incorporate a gender analysis; • integrate women’s/girls’ and men’s/boys’ voices and opinions equally implementation and evaluation; identify potential gender-related risks and aim to avoid, minimize and mitigate these risks; collect sex-disaggregated data and formulate gender-sensitive indicators for results frameworks; fully integrate gender in evaluations and report on gender-related impacts.
into planning, • • • Human Rights: Austria recognizes the centrality of human rights to sustainable development, and principles and standards derived from international human rights treaties.

The ADA consequently applies a human rights-based approach to development cooperation.
ADA’s guiding human rights policies and principles are as per the below: • all programs and projects of the ADA strengthen the realization of human rights; • human rights standards and principles guide the ADA in all phases of the programming process • and in all sectors; the ADA contributes to the development of the capacities of ‘duty-bearers’ to meet their obligations and of ‘rights-holders’ to claim their rights.
The social impact assessment considers the following project-level standards defined by ADA to mainstream social sustainability and safeguards: Community Health, Safety and Working Conditions; Cultural Heritage; Displacement and Resettlement; Indigenous People.

Assessment processes: The two-stage assessment process of GRETA projects involved: The first stage included the screening and categorisation of potential environmental, gender and social risks of GRETA project as moderate.
The second stage of the assessment, proceeding from the risk categorisation contains: an independent EGSIA carried out for the projects of moderate potential risks and development of a Risk Management and Sustainability Plan (RMSP).

(Proposed monitoring of the implementation of risk mitigation measures will include the review of project progress reports and/or, if applicable, progress reports on RMSP implementation; and T&Q undertaking special monitoring missions.)
29 The assessment and management of risks and impacts is based on two pillars: (i) the precautionary approach and (ii) the application of a mitigation hierarchy as per ADA Manual Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management (June, 2018).
The environmental, gender and social impact assessment comprises the following: • Relevant baseline data for the characterization and identification of risks and impacts as well as mitigation measures; • Consideration of all relevant framework conditions related to the GRETA project; • Evaluation of the projects potential environmental, gender and social risks and impacts; • Examination of alternatives, identification of possibilities for improving project implementation and to seek opportunities to enhance positive impacts; • Assessment of the feasibility of mitigating adverse risks and impacts, required investments, their suitability under local conditions, and the institutional, training and monitoring requirements associated with them.
2.

Alignment to International and National Policies and Legislation Present environmental, gender and social impact assessment has been developed in full accordance with the National policies and legal framework, as well as with the international obligations of Georgia, namely: International agreements: • EU-Georgia’s association agreement of 2014.
The AA sets goals to be achieved within a clearly defined timeframe for the following areas: (i) environmental governance; (ii) air quality; (iii) water quality and resource management (including the marine environment); (iv) waste management; (v) biodiversity protection; (vi) industrial pollution and industrial hazards; (vii) chemical management; and (viii) climate action.

• • UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is an important document framing the national environmental policy.
The SDGs set 169 targets that are to be achieved by 2030, including environmental aspects.
International treaties of Georgia, such as Convention on Access to Information and the Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention), the Convention on Biological diversity, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification etc.
• Georgia’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution Submission to the UNFCCC, 2015.

• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006.

Georgia ratified the document in 2013, after major changes in legislation.

Document ensures inclusion, protection and full freedom of persons with disabilities.

30 • • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), 1979.

Georgia ratified it in 1994.


The main aim for adopting this document was establishing gender equality, and non-discriminatory environment for women.

ILO - The Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No.

100), Ratification 1993.

Document ensures equal payment for work of equal value for men and women.

ILO- Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No.

111), Ratification 1993.


Bans discrimination, “distinction, exclusion or preference made on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin” • • European Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities, Ratification 2005.

Document adopted to stop discrimination against national minorities and encourage their inclusion in society.
National strategic documents: • The Socio-economic Development Strategy of Georgia “Georgia 2020” (2014) which ensures environmental safety and sustainability through the prevention of natural disasters and the rational use of natural resources.

• The Strategy for Agricultural Development in Georgia 2015-2020 (Decree of the Georgian Government N167, 11/11/2015), which has identified environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources as one of the priority areas.
• The Rural Development Strategy for 2017-2020, that sets three priority directions, one of which is environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resource.
• Climate Change National Adaptation Plan for Georgia’s Agriculture Sector, MEPA 2017 • State energy policy: Main directions of the state energy policy, (Resolution of Georgian parliament N3758-IIს, June 24, 2015), Energy sector development strategy of Georgia 2016-2025 – electricity; (DRAFT), Energy sector development strategy of Georgia 2017-2026 – Natural gas; (DRAFT)).
• SDG targets of Georgia: The Government of Georgia (GoG) started nationalizing SDGs in 2015 and undertook important steps in this direction.

Georgia currently has all 17 goals, 99 targets and more than 200 indicators nationalized.

The GoG aims to nationalize all 169 targets till 2030.

• Human Rights Action Plan 2018-2020, 2018.

Human Rights Action Plan of 2018-2020 Is the state’s most relevant document to address discrimination of people based on their disadvantageous positions.
It states that Georgia should work on creating equal conditions and discrimination free environment for vulnerable persons, such as: disabled persons, internally displaced, women, religious minorities, ethnic minorities.

• The Concept of Social Integration of Disabled Persons, 2008 ensures integration of the people with disabilities into social life.
• Ordinance of the Government of Georgia №41 on Establishment of Space for Persons with Disabilities and Approval of Technical Regulations of Architectural and Planning Elements, 2014 • State strategy for civic equality and integration 2015-2020, 2015.

31 • The Gender Equality Council National Action Plan 2018-2020, 2018.
Envisages regulation of working relations in the chapter 2, specifically, it calls for introducing new model and respective legislative changes of parental leave and the new package of legislative amendments of the Labour Code of Georgia and the other laws.

• Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development Strategy of Georgia 2016-2020”, 2016 encourages women entrepreneurs albeit a very general provision lacking specific mechanisms.
Specific sectoral environmental policy and strategic documents adopted by the Government or the Parliament of Georgia: • National Biodiversity Strategy and the Action Plan 2014–2020 (resolution N343 of May 8, 2014 of the Government of Georgia).

• NEAP 3 National Environmental Action Programme of Georgia (Decree N1124 of the Government of Georgia, May 22, 2018).

• National Forest Concept of Georgia (Resolution of the Parliament of Georgia on “National Forest Concept of Georgia” (No-1742-Is, 26/12/2013).
• National Action Program to Combat Desertification 2014-2022 (Decree No.

742, of December 19, 2014 of the Government of Georgia).

• National Waste Management Strategy of 2016-2030 and the National Waste Management Action Plan of 2016-2020 (Resolution N160 of April 1, 2016 of the Government of Georgia).

Specific laws: • The Law on Environmental Protection (1996).
• Georgia’s Forest Code (N 2124-IIs, 22/06/1999), The Resolution of Georgian Government on Approval of the Rules on Forest Use (No 242, 20 August 2010).

• Georgian Law on “Protected Areas System” (No-136-IIs, 07 March, 1996).

• Waste code of Georgia (2994-რს, 26/12/2014).

• Water legislation: Law on water (N936, 16/10/1997), National standard for drinking water (Decree of Georgian Government N58, January 15, 2014).

Law of Georgia on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination, 2014.
Law on Gender Equality, 2010.

Law of Georgia on Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities, 2001.

Law on the Development of High Mountainous Regions, 2015.

Law on Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories of Georgia, 2014.
• • • • • 32 Regional development plans: • Decree of Georgian government N1287 on approval of a regional development strategy for Imereti region, 2016-2021, 01 July 2016 • Decree of Georgian government N1374 on approval of a regional development strategy for Racha- Lechkhumi Lower Svaneti region, 2014-2021, 19 September 2013 • Decree of Georgian government N1372 on approval of a regional development strategy for Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region, 2014-2021.18 September 2013 33 3.
Current Environmental Conditions 3.1.

Terrain, landscapes and hydrology Chiatura municipality.

The territory of Chiatura municipality covers that part of the north-western extension of the Upper Imereti (Dzirula) massif – the Chiatura plateau, where the Kvirila river and its tributaries: Buja, Katskhura, Rganistskali, Nekrisa, Jruchula, Itkhvisistskali, Shukuretistskali, Sadzeliskhevi, etc.

flow.
flow.

The length of the Kvirila river within the limits of the municipality is 16 km dividing its territory into two almost equal parts.

The municipality also covers the ridge zone of the Racha mountain range at the section of the Satsalike peak (1996 m) and its south faced slope.

The Chiatura plateau is built of Jurassic, Cretaceous and Tertiary quartz porphyritic rocks, porphyrites, limestones and hardened clayey-sandy layers.

The surface of the plateau is located at 600-800 m above sea level.
It is dissected by canyon like gorges of the mentioned rivers.

The depth of these eroded gorges varies within 70-200 m. The canyon like gorges divide the plateau into flattened hilly sections – so-called highlands (Darkveti, Mgvimevi, Itkhvisi, Zeda Rgani and other highlands).

Caves, karstic funnels and other karstic forms are developed on these highlands and the walls of canyon like gorges.

The traces of prehistoric human presence in the caves have been captured and studied.
The Katskhi pillar – a 40 m high natural limestone monolith, located within the low later divide of the Katskhura and Gvitori rivers is noteworthy.

The upper platform of the pillar has been used as a place of stay of monophyte hermits since early middle ages.

The south faced slope of the Racha range and its ridge zone within the limits of Chiatura municipality are built of limestone.

The slope covers the source areas of the Buja and Jruchura rivers.

The height of the peaks (Satsalike, Veltkevi, etc.)
towering up from the ridge zone reaches 1800-2000 m. The slope is intensively dissected by the gorge of the rivers Jruchura and Buja and their tributaries.

The slope is characterized by karstic funnels, wells, caves and underground tunnels.

The hydrological network of the municipality consists mainly of rivers.

Strong flash floods occur rarely.

The presence of vauclusian springs (Grudo, Monastris Tsiskvili, Lejubani, etc.)

is noteworthy.

Main landscapes.


Natural landscapes of oak, oak-hornbeam and oak-beech forests that were characteristic for the Chiatura plateau in the past have been almost completely destroyed and replaced by cultural landscapes.

The landscape of secondary forests formed by beech, oak, hornbeam and other broadleaved tree species is developed on the southern slope of the Racha range and certain section bordering the Upper Imereti massif.
34 Figure 1 - Map of Chiatura municipality Sachkhere municipality is located at 450-2400 m above sea level on average.

It is characterized by mountain hilly relief and is built of manly Jurassic, Crustaceous and Tertiary clay-shale, porphyrite, quartzite, limestone and hardened clayey sand.
Main orographic units include: the ridge and the south faced slope of the Racha mountain range in the middle and upstream areas of the basins of the Kvirila river and its rights tributaries: Jruchula, Chikhura and Khakhietistskali.

The height of peaks (Khikhata, Tsiteli Klde, Pkhoni, etc.)
towering up on the ridge varies within 2240-2360 m. The slope is heavily dissected by the deep eroded gorges of the rivers Jruchula, Chikhura and Khakhietistskali and their tributaries, which also are characterized by canyon like sections.

There are lateral plateaus (Sashvi, Orgul-Bajiti, Pepeleti, etc.)

between the gorges.

The eastern section of the Racha range, built of limestone is characterized by karstic relief (karstic funnels, wells, caves, etc.).
The territory of the municipality adjoining to the Upper Imereti highland is characterized by gently sloping sections.

By its geological structure and geomorphological features, the mentioned area is a part of the 35 Upper Imereti (Dzirula) massif.

Within its limits the 500-800 m high Korbouli plain is located.

Its surface is gently inclined and dissected by deep eroded gorges.

Along with eroded forms, karstic forms are also found.
The west faced slope of the Likhi range which is heavily dissected by deep eroded gorges is located south-eastward of the Korbouli plain.

The slope, along with eroded forms is characterized by stepped flat surfaces.

The Kvirilia depression is located within the limits of the municipality.

The depression covers the Kvirila river gorge from the village Chala to Sachkhere town and is characterized by a quite wide bottom.

The bottom of the gorge is surrounded with gentle slopes of hills and hillocks.
On these slopes’ landslides are developed at certain locations (villages: Chorvila, Sairkhe, Savana, etc.).

The density of the hydrographical network of Sackhere municipality is relatively low.

It consists of the middle section of the Kvirila river gorge and the right tributaries of this river (Jruchula, Chikhura, etc.)

flowing from the south faced slopes of the Racha mountain range.

The Dzirula river flows in the south- eastern part of the municipality.
Local rivers are characterized by strong flash floods occurring periodically, which damage human settlements and infrastructure located on riverside areas.

The major portion of the territory of the municipality is occupied by the cultural and anthropogenic landscapes which are heavily altered as a result of the human economic activity.

Fragments of secondary landscapes formed by oak and oak-oriental hornbeam forests are still found in foothills.
On the slopes of low and medium mountains the secondary beech-hornbeam and beech forests grow which at higher elevations, starting from 1800-1900 m above sea level are replaced by subalpine forest-meadow landscape formed by park and crook-stem tree species.

36 Figure 2 - Map of Sachkhere municipality Tkibuli municipality.

The municipality is located in the northern part of the northern Imereti, which is historically known as Okriba.
The municipality is bordered by the western section of the Racha range, the ridge and the steep southern slope of the mount Nakerala on the north, the northern hilly and hillocky slope of the Okriba-Argveti hillock on the south, the low hilly surface located on the right side of the Dzusa river (Kvirila river watershed) on the east and the hillocky belt located on the right side of the Rioni river in the environs of the city of Kutaisi on the west.
The central part of the municipality, located at 400-800 m above sea level on average, is built of Jurassic porphyritic rocks and clay-shale, which are overlaid by a layer of continental sandstones.

The Tkibuli coal deposit is associated with this layer.

Magmatic rocks – teschenites, used for construction purposes as a high-quality facing material are exposed south-westward.
The central part of the municipality is occupied by Tkibuli, Akhalsopeli, Gelati and Tsutskhvati depressions, which are characterized by gently sloping surfaces of tectonic erosion origin.

Within the limits of these depressions mainly hilly relief is developed.

In some places quite deeply, dissected terrain is found (in the bottom of the Gelati depression the Tskaltsitela river has developed a 140-160 m deep canyon type gorge in porphyritic rocks).
37 Among karstic landforms of the local relief, the Maghara crosscutting multi-storey cave located in the Tsutskhvati depression in noteworthy.

The traces of presence of humans of Palaeolithic and Bronze Age are captured in its bottom sediments.

A perforated typical karstic “polje” developed in the bottom of the Akhalsopeli depression shall be also noted.

Currently the bottom of this depression is occupied by the Tkibuli water reservoir.
Both modern landslides and old gravitational formations in the form of slipped down limestone and stone boulders (Dzirovana landslide near the city of Tkibuli, etc.

), are developed on the south faced slope of the Nakerala range.

Landslide processes are observed also in the upper part of the Tskaltsitela river gorge.

The density of the hydrological network of the municipality is low.

It consists mainly of the upper course of the Tskaltsitela river and the rivers Tkibula, Chishura and Shabata Gele.
Certain sections of Tkibula Chishura rivers flow through karstic gorges, while Shabata Gele river flows through the Maghara crosscutting multi-storey cave.

Natural landscape.

The natural landscape of the municipality is heavily altered as a result of human economic activity.

Cultural landscapes are developed on the bottoms of the Tkibuli, Akhalsopeli, Gelati and Tsutskhvati depressions.

The adjacent hilly foothills are characterized by a heavily degraded landscape of beech-chestnut-hornbeam forests.
On limestone slopes located up to 800-900 m above sea level a modified landscape of oak-hornbeam forests dominates.

In the upper area a landscape of beech forests with fragmented participation of spruce and fir is developed.

Figure 3 - Map of Tkibuli municipality 38 Ambrolauri municipality is characterized by mountain-hilly relief, lowland and mountain humid subtropical climate and mesophilic forest-meadow vegetation.
Main orographic units include: the north faced slope of the Racha mountain range from the Mount Khikhata (2235 m) westward up to the Tvishi ravine.

The distance in a straight line is 55-57 km, maximum elevation – 1996 m (mount Satsalike), built of Cretaceous limestone.

The surface is gently sloping and dissected by the gorges, mainly by narrow and canyon type ravines of the rivers Shareula, Khoteura, Veleura, Kvabptkari, etc.
There are many gently sloping and flat depressions of tectonic-karst-erosion origin on the slope.

The largest among them is the Shaori depression which is currently occupied by the Shaori water reservoir (7 km long, 2.7 wide and 14 m deep (max.)).

The north faced slope of the Racha range within the limits of the municipality is one of the largest areas of the intensive development of mountain karst in Georgia.

The large areas are occupied by karstic funnels and wells.
Tens of caves are developed in limestone rocks.

Among these caves, the Skhvavi glacial cave, described by Vakhushti Bagrationi in the 18th century is noteworthy.

2.

The south faced slope of the Lechkhumi range.

Within the limits of Ambrolauri municipality the slope is stretched between the gorges of right tributaries of the Rioni river – Askis Tskali and Lukhuni.

It is built of Jurassic clay-share, porphyrite and Cretaceous limestone.
Cliffy massifs, exceeding 3000 m are towered up from the ridge zone of the slope (Lelashkha – 3162 m, Chutkharo – 3562 m, etc.).

The south faced slope of the Lechkhumi range within the limits of Ambrolauri municipality is quite wide (18-20 m) and heavily dissected by erosional gorges of the rivers Askilistskali, Ritseula, Lukhuni and their numerous tributaries.

Between these gorges, Tarigoni, Svanebistskali, Kekhitekhia, Tsatsminda, Poria, Tkhiszurgi and Saelio water divide ranged are located.
The south faced slope of the Lechkhumi range is characterized by erosional relief with steep and often canyon type gorges.

In the upper part of the range, from 1600-1700 m above sea level, old glacial formations – trough gorges, circuses and kars along with erosional landforms play an important role.

3.

Rioni river gorge.


The territory of the municipality covers about 40 km section of the Rioni river gorge which starts from the confluence of its right tributary - Lukhuni river and extends up to the Tvishi ravine.

The bottom of the gorge is mostly 0.5-1.5 km wide.

Along the river channel a surface of the first river terrace which is intensively used by humans and small fragments of flood plain are located.
The exception is the upper, about 7 km long canyon type section located between the villages Tsesi and Kvatskhuti, known as Khidikaris Kldekari.

Tens and hundred years old terrace steps located up to 380 m from the bottom of the gorge at different relative elevations are well described and studied.

Hydrographical network consists mainly of rivers (glaciers and wetlands are lacking).

There are only a few lakes on the territory of the municipality.
Tributaries of the Rioni river: Krikhula, Shareula, Askistskali, Ritseuli, Lukhuni, etc.

are characterized by a high elevation drop determining the high gradient of river channels.

High gradient of a river along with abundant precipitation increases the magnitude of floods, flash floods and mudflows and therefore contributes to the development of erosion, landslides and other gravitational processes on the bottom of gorges and their slopes.
Landslide processes of different intensity are observed in the environs of the villages Mukhli, Khimshi, Sadmeli, Saketsia, Abanoeti, Bugeuli and Baji.

39 Strong flash floods inundate flood plains of the Rioni river and its tributaries and scour certain areas of riverside sections of the first terraces above floodplains which are actively used by humans for economic purposes.

Natural landscape.
Natural landscape.

Natural landscape of the municipality is mostly modified to different extents as a result of human economic activity.

Up to 900-1100 m above sea level, a low mountain landscape of oak- hornbeam forests, which was characteristic for this area in the past, has survived with a heavily modified structure.

Such areas of the natural landscape are found on steep slopes which are less suitable for agricultural activities.
Within this vertical zone mostly a cultural landscape is developed (human settlements, arable lands, gardens and vineyards, infrastructure).

In the upper zone, up to 1800-1900 m above sea level, relatively well-preserved landscapes of beech and beech-dark coniferous (spruce, fir) forests are found.

Karts relief is developed on the north faced slope of the Racha range.
Landscapes of subalpine forest-meadows and Alpine meadows dominate above 1800-2000 m on the south faced slope of the Lechkhumi range and on the slopes of mountains that are located in front of the south faced slope of the Lechkhumi mountain range.

40 Figure 4 - Map of Ambrolauri municipality Oni municipality.

The municipality is located in upstream areas of the Rioni river at 700-4400 m above sea level.

Main orographic units include: 1.


The ridge zone of the Greater Caucasus built of Precambrian and Paleozoic granites, gneiss and crystalline schist between the mount Pasi (3727 m) and Mamisoni pass (2829) and the associated south faced slope built of Jurassic clay-shale, sandstones and porphyrites.

The majority of peaks located in the ridge zone exceed 4000 meters above sea level (Laboda – 4319 m; Buba – 4418 m; Chanchakhi – 4456 m.

etc.).
etc.).

The ridge zone is characterized by cliffy relief and mostly covered by permafrost and glaciers.

The south faced slope of the Greater Caucasus is heavily dissected with deep and steep gorges of the Rioni river and its tributaries (Sakaura, Chanchakhi, Shodura, Jejora, etc.).

Between the gorges there are relatively short and quite high branch mountain ranges (Bodurashi, Dombistsveri, Didveli, Kedela, etc.)

associated with the ridge zone.


The relief is formed mainly by trough and eroded gorges of old glacial and river erosion origin with steep slopes and several canyon-like sections.

41 2.

The east faced slope of the Lechkhumi range and the orographically associated Shoda range built of Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous clay-shale, sandstone, porphyrite and carbonate flysch.

The peaks: Lukhunistsveri (3185 m), Shoda (3609 m), Dolomisistsveri (3266 m), etc.
are located within the ridge zones of these mountain ranges.

Branch mountain ranges: Kvatsikhe, Kupra, Sakao, etc.

towering up south and south-westward are associated with the Lechkhumi and Shoda mountain ranges.

Modern glaciation process is insignificant.

The traces of old glaciation in the form of short trough gorges, circuses and Kars are still found.

A mountain-gorge eroded relief with rock-cliffy forms at certain locations dominates.

3.

North faced slope of the Racha mountain range.


The eastern section of the slope is built of Jurassic porphyrites, partially of clay-shale and sandstones, while its western section is built of Crustaceous limestone.

Within the limits of the municipality, the north faced slope of the Racha mountain range stretches from the mount Dagverila (2726 m) up to the bottom of the west faced slope of the Khikhata mountain massif.
The eastern section of the slope is relatively narrow, steep and dissected by eroded gorges of the tributaries of Rioni and Jejora rivers (Kheori, Claliskhevi, Chordiskhevi, etc.).

Within the Khikhata and Potskhverevi mountain massifs a karstic-eroded relief dominates (Shkmeri karstic depression and limestone cliffs towering up from its edges, Usholta cave, karst tunnel developed by Kheori river within the limestone layer, Kvagakhetkila vauclusian spring, etc.).

4.
4.

The gorges of the Rioni river and its tributaries.

The Rioni river gorge starts on the slope of the mount Pasi at 2960 m above sea level.

About 30 km long section of the river gorge from this point is narrow, deep and steep sloped, while at certain locations its bottom is characterized by relatively wide flood plains and a branching river channel.

The next, 10 km long section of the river gorge starting from the village Glola (1260 m), known as Chidrota ravine, is deep and narrow.
From the village Utsera (1050 m) the river gorge is widening and characterized by relatively gentle terraced slopes across much of its length.

Within this section of the river gorge (from the village Utsera up to the confluence of the Lukhuni river) the fragments of 8 terraces of different age located at 380-400 m from the river channel are observed.

Above 1400-1500 m, the tributaries of the Rioni river flow through trough gorges developed as a result of influence of old glaciers.
Downstream the gorges are eroded, without terraces, deep, steep slopes and canyon like sections at certain locations.

Landslide processes are observed on the slopes of the river gorges adjacent to the villages Somitso, Komandori, Seva, Parakheti, Kveda Bari.

The Rioni river and its tributaries are characterized by high elevation drop varying within 1900-2200 m and determining the high gradient of river channels.
High gradient of a river channel increases the magnitude of floods and flash floods and contributes to the development of stone-muddy and stone- water torrents.

Almost all tributaries of the Rioni river within the limits of Oni municipality are characterized by mudflows, which damage settlements and infrastructure located on riverside areas.

The natural landscape, specifically one of its main components – vegetation, follows the pattern of vertical zoning.
Up to 700-1000 m above sea level, on the less developed territories, an oak-hornbeam forest landscape is found.

The landscape is modified to different extents as a result of human economic activity.

The cultural landscape (settlements, arable lands, pastures, infrastructure) plays an important role in this vertical zone.

At up to 1900-2400 m above sea level, subalpine forest-meadows and meadow-shrubbery 42 are developed.
At 3400 m above sea level Alpine meadows are found, which at higher altitudes are replaced by the subnival and nival belts.

Figure 5 - Map of Oni municipality Lentekhi municipality.

Lentekhi municipality is located at 700-4546 m above sea level (peak Ailama).

The territory of the municipality is characterized mainly by erosional mountain-gorge terrain.

Old glacial relief is developed at certain areas above 1400-1500 m. Main orographic units include: 1.
South faced slope of the Svaneti range built of Jurassic shale and sandstone.

The slope extends over 80 km from the peak Koruldashi (3085 m) westward up to the Kheledula pass (2564 m).
The slope is gentle and quite heavily dissected by the massifs (Kheledula, Atsalami, Goldashi, Dadiashi, Airashi) towering up from the ridge zone of the Svaneti range southward and exceeding 3000 m in height and the narrow and often canyon type gorges of the rivers Kheledula, Skilari, Laskadura, Mukhra, Ashkhashuri, Koruldashi.

Old glacial relief in still found in the form of 5-6 km long trough gorges, circuses and kars in the gorges of the rivers Skilari and Laskadura at a height of 1500 m and above.
43 2.

The north faced slope of the Lechkhumi range.

Within the limits of the municipality the slope extends from the Vatsistsveri pass (2910 m) westward to Lentekhi.

It is built of Jurassic clay-share, sandstone and porphyrite.

The slope is not high (4-12 km).

It is steeply inclined towards the bottom of the Tskhenistskali river gorge.

Peaks (Tetnari, Lelashkha, Chutkharo, Shushara, etc.)
towering up from the ridge zone of the Lechkhumi range are exceeding 3500 m. The bottom of the Tskhenistskali river gorge is located at 700- 1800 m above sea level.

The north faced slope of the Lechkhumi range lacks major branches and is heavily dissected by narrow and deep and often canyon type gorges of left tributaries of the Tskhenistkali river: Shkhivisgele, Nashalisgele, Gobishuri, Tskhenshuri, Leeshuri and Khopuri rivers which are characterized by steeply inclined channels.
From 1600-1800 m above sea level, along with erosional landforms, old glacial formations – mainly short trough gorges and circuses are also found.

At certain locations (at the source of the Gobishuri river and in the area of the Lankori pass), flattened as a result of old glacial extraction, small sized degraded lakes are found.

3.

The gorges of the Tskhenistskali river and its right tributary – Kheledula river.

The municipality covers the upstream areas of the Tskhenistskali river basin.
The river takes its rise on south-west faced slope of the mount Pisi (3787) at 2700 m above sea level.

Above 1500-1600 m, the gorges of its right and left tributaries are of old glacial-erosion origin, where the lower sections of the bottom of the gorges are eroded, while the upper sections are characterized by a trough (old glacial) morphology.

Above 1500-1700 m old glacial circuses and kars are developed.
From the confluence of the Koruldashi river (1300-1400 m) the gorge of the Tskhenistskali river runs westward and extends up to Lentekhi (700 m above sea level).

At this section the gorge is eroded, where narrow, canyon type sections alternate with relatively wide depressions (Lentekhi depression, etc.).

The fragments of Tertiary terrace steps are still observed on the slopes of depressions.
The Kheledula river gorge starts on the Egrisi gorge – on the north-east faced slope of the mount Tekhurishdudi (3002 m), at 2760 m above sea level.

It runs eastward up to Lentekhi (700 m).

The bottom of the gorge together with adjacent slopes is built mainly of Jurassic clay-shale and porphyrite and is characterized by erosional formations (quite wide erosional-accumulation bottom and narrow and deep erosional gorges of the tributaries flowing on this slope).
Above 1600-1700 m, old glacial formations (through gorges, circuses and kars), along with erosional landforms are found in some places.

The hydrographical network consists mainly of rivers.

Glaciers are developed in the ridge zone of the Greater Caucasus – on south faced slopes of the peaks Ailama, Tsurungali (4249 m) and Pasismta.

Several small lakes are found on the norther slope of the Lechkhumi mountain range.
Within the limits of the municipality, the Tskhenistskali river and its tributaries are characterized by a high elevation drop (1200-2100 m) determining the high gradient of river channels and increasing the intensity of morphodynamical processes.

The rivers are characterized by periodical occurrence of strong flash floods accompanied with stone-muddy and stone-water torrents.

Various economic activities (construction of roads, bridges, etc.)
implemented within river basins in the fifties of the 20th century without carrying out adequate reclamation measures have resulted in increased intensity of flash floods, activated mudflow processes, increased amounts of large sized materials in river 44 sediments (stones, boulders) and intensified landslides and other gravitational processes on slopes.

These factors damage and affect buildings and infrastructure (roads, bridges, residential houses, farmlands).
The administrative centre of the municipality –Lentekhi and adjacent settlements are most affected.

Natural landscape.

On the territory of the municipality the natural landscape is found in the form of mountain forests and mountain meadows which are degraded to different extents.

Up to 1000-1200 m above sea level mainly the landscape of beech forests with participation of chestnut, oak and hornbeam is developed.
Due to the high density of settlements and intense use of lands for economic purposes, the mentioned landscape is heavily degraded.

In the upper zone, up to 1700 m above sea level, a landscape of beech forests which is modified to a lesser extent dominates.

Up to 1900-2000 m this landscape is replaced by a landscape comprised of beech-dark coniferous forests and the fragments of spruce-fir forests.
Up to 2000-2500 m above sea level a landscape of subalpine forest meadows and meadow- shrubbery is developed.

Up to 3000 m this landscape is replaced by Alpine meadows.

Figure 6 - Map of Lentekhi municipality Tsageri municipality.

The territory of the municipality is notable for a complex orography.
The northern part of the municipality covers the easternmost end of the Egrisi (Samegrelo) mountain range comprised of the Tsekuri (3179 m), Sazamtro and Sakeria rocky massifs that are built of Jurassic porphyrites.

The northern part of the municipality also covers the south faced slope of the Lechkhumi mountain range built of Jurassic porphyrites.
The slope characterized by a mountain-gorge relief is divided into two almost equal parts by the Gumuristavi branch mountain range (water divide of the rivers Tskhenistskali and 45 Lajanuri).

The slope of the Lechkhumi range is dissected by narrow and relatively shallow gorges of the Lajanuri river and its tributaries and water divide ridges located between them.
The western part of the municipality covers high rocky-cliffy walls of the Askhi limestone massif, towering up from the right side of the Jonouli river (right tributary of the Tskhenistskali river) and spreading along several kilometres.

The Khvamli limestone massif (2002 m) is located in the southern part of the municipality.

The south faced slope of the massif is a vertical almost 300 m high wall.
The massif is characterized by a karstic relief (karstic funnels, wells with vertical walls, caves and deep cracks).

Some cracks and caves contain masses of ice for most of the year.

The major part of the municipality is occupied by tectonic erosive depressions.

The largest among them are Tsageri and Orbeli depressions.

The Tsageri depression is located between the Muri and Saretskela ravines at 400-500 m above sea level.

It is 9 km long and 1.5-2 km wide.


On the bottom of the depression the Tskhenistskali river has developed an 80-120 m wide channel.

Within the limits of the depression, its western slope is occupied by a 500-900 m high hilly strip located between the villages Gveso, Kveda Lukhvano, Bardnala, Larchavali.

Lanslides are developed on the slopes located on the both sides of the depression.

The Tsageri depression and the Orbeli depression are separated by the Shua Lechkumi hillock.
The hillock is built of Tertiary clays and marls and characterized by intensive landslide processes.

The Orbeli depression is surrounded by hillocks built of Cretaceous limestone.

A large portion of its bottom is occupied by a water reservoir (3.2 km long and 1 km wide) of the Lajanuri HPP.

Southward, up to the confluence with the Rioni river, the Lajanuri river flows through a 4 km long and 600-800 m high canyon type narrow gorge.
Along the south-eastern edge of the Orbeli depression, in the place of an old exotectonic landslide, some tens of meters tall tower like pillars (so-called Sairne pillars) are found.

Landslides are developed around the depression, on the east faced slope of the Shua Lechkumi hillock.

River network.

The local river network is characterized by medium density.
The rivers – Lajanuri (tributary of the Rioni river) and Jonouli (tributary of the Tskhenistskali river) and their tributaries are characterized by high elevation drop (1700-2300 m) determining the high gradient of river channels and increasing the intensity of floods, flash floods and mudflows.
Since the fifties of the 20th century an intensive accumulation of solid sediments (cobble, pebble) transported by the rivers Tskhenistskali and Lajanuri to the bottom of the Tsageri and Orbeli depressions is taking place.

Therefore, the channels of these rivers are elevated resulting in inundation of low laid developed riverside areas during floods.

Natural landscape.

As a result of human economic activity for a long period of time, the natural landscape of the municipality is mostly heavily modified.
Up to 800-900 above sea level a landscape of oak-hornbeam forests which is modified to different extents dominates.

Up to 1800-1900 m above sea level a landscape of beech forests and beech-dark coniferous forests which is modified to a lesser extent dominates.

Up to 1900-2800 m subalpine forest meadows, meadow-shrubbery and Alpine meadows are developed.

Subnival landscape dominates on the cliffy massifs of Tsekuri, Sazamtro and Shakeria.
46 Figure 7 - Map of Tsageri municipality Mestia municipality is the highest municipality of Georgia, located at 350-5200 m above sea level on a heavily dissected and complex terrain with strong recent glaciation.

The municipality is situated between the main range of the Greater Caucasus and its lateral ridge – Svaneti range.

Main orographic units include: 1.


The ridge zone of the Greater Caucasus built of Precambrian and Palaeozoic granites, gneiss and crystalline schist, very steep, with vertical walls at certain locations and mountain peaks exceeding 4000 m (Shkhara – 5202 m; Janga – 5080 m; Ushba – 4696 m; Distola – 4960 m, etc.).
As well as its south faced slope, built mainly of Jurassic rocks and heavily dissected with Shtavleri, Tsalgmili, Ushba, Gvalda, Tsirniashi, Kareta and other branch ridges of the main mountain range and deep and steep gorges of the rivers (Nenskra, Nakra, Dogra, Murkhra, Mestiachala, Khaldechala, etc.)

flowing between these mountains.


The northern part of the Kodori range – Moguakhshira mountain massif (3850 m) is located on the western extension of the south faced slope of the main range of the Greater Caucasus within the limits of Mestia municipality.

The mountain massif is characterized by a dense network of old glacial and erosion gorges and the development of modern glaciers.

2.

The north faced slope of the branch ridge (max.


elevation 4002 m – peak Lasili) of the Svaneti range, relatively steep and heavily dissected with the narrow and often canyon type gorges of the left tributaries of the Enguri river (Mushuristskali, Koshra, Lasili, Khumpreri, Khaishura, etc.)

and mountain ridges (Tekrashi, Abakuri, Mepkashi, Mushuri, etc.)

located between these rivers.


The north faced slope of the Egrisi (Samegrelo) range is a westward extension of the Svaneti range within the limits of the municipality.

The slope is characterized by heavily dissected relief with peaks exceeding 3000 m (Lakumurash Dudi, Otepuri, etc.).

47 3.

Enguri river gorge built of mainly Jurassic clay-shale, sandstones and partially of Palaeozoic metamorphic schists and quartzites.
The gorge is characterized by the alteration of lateral wide and narrow, canyon like and deep sections.

The fragments of river terrace steps are still found at 200-250 m from the bottom of the gorge.

Along with erosion forms, old glacial relief (in the form of trough gorges, moraines, circuses, Kars) is developed from 1300-1500 m above sea level.

Hydrographical network.

Glaciers and rivers are the main elements of the local hydrological network.
Thick mountain-valley type glaciers are developed in the central part of the main range of the Greater Caucasus and Svaneti range and adjacent slopes.

River network is dense.

Enguri river and its tributaries are characterized by high elevation drops (1200-1400 m), which contribute to the development of erosion, landslides and other gravitational processes in the bottom and slopes of their gorges.
Strong and often catastrophic flash floods accompanied with stone-muddy and stone-water torrents occur during heavy rains and rapid snow melt.

Flash floods that occurred on the Nenska river (environs of the village Khaishi) in 2018 and in the Mestiachala river gorge in 2019 have led to catastrophic consequences.

Main landscapes: At 1900-2000 m above sea level a low and medium mountainous beech-hornbeam, been and beech-dark coniferous (spruce, fir) landscape is developed.
Major portion of this type of a landscape is modified to different extents as a result of human economic activity.

At 3100-3200 m above sea level, landscapes of subalpine forest-shrubbery, meadow-shrubbery and Alpine meadows are developed.

At 3300-3400 m above sea level they are replaced by the glacial landscape of subnival and nival belts.

Figure 8 - Map of Mestia municipality 48 3.2.

Climate and Climate Change Trends The report includes both current and predicted climate change data.
For instance, current climate change on the territory of Upper Svaneti is discussed for the period of 1961-2010, which is divided into two equal 25-year-periods to compare averaged values of climatic parameters of these two periods.

In periods where a break series occurs, temperature and precipitation series are retrieved by methods that are used in climatology.

Climate change scenarios are provided for the periods of 2021-2050 and 2071-21002.
Projections of climate change are based on the Regional Climate Model RegCM4.0, and a Global Climate Model EH5OM (MPI, Hamburg), properly downscaled and compiled for Georgia (and the Caucasus region), within the spatial extent of N 40º30‘-47º; W 39º25‘-44º and time period of 1959-2100, as performed for the Georgia’s Third National Communication to the UNFCCC.
The Data from the Georgia’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC and projections developed by National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG) in the framework of the program “Institutionalization of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Georgian Regions (ICCAMGR)” have been also used.

Upper Imereti region (Chiatura, Sachkhere, Tkibuli): The study region is located within the humid subtropical zone of western Georgia.
Upper Imereti is situated in the eastern periphery of the mentioned zone and therefore typical characteristics of humid subtropical climate are not prominent.

Climate is relatively continental, the level of precipitation is lower, annual and diurnal temperature amplitudes are higher, breezes do not occur.

In low mountainous zone summer is relatively dry.


Location of the study region within the subtropical zone and moderate cloudiness determine increased period and intensity of sunlight during all seasons.

Annual temperature amplitude in Upper Imereti varies within 19-20°C.
The following climate zones are distinguished (Kordzakhia, 1959): • Average annual air temperature in Upper Imereti up to 400 m above sea level is 13,9-14°C, average temperature in January - - 3,7°C, average temperature in August - +23,9°C; absolute maximum temperature reaches +42°C, while absolute minimum temperature drops to -20°C, annual precipitation is 1000-1200 mm.

• The second climate zone spreads up to 700 m above sea level.

This zone is characterized by moderately cold winter and hot, dry summer.
Average annual air temperature is 10-12°C, average temperature in January varies within 0,3-2,4°C.

Air temperature in warmest month is 20-22°C, absolute maximum temperature reaches 37-40°C, while absolute minimum temperature drops to -28-31°C.

Annual precipitation varies within 800-1200 mm.

• The third climate zone spreads up to 1200 m above sea level.

This zone is characterized by moderately cold climate.

Average annual air temperature varies within 6,3-8°C.
Average temperature in January is -2,4-3,9°C.

Air temperature in the warmest month is 16,2-18,2°C, absolute maximum temperature reaches +32°C.

Annual precipitation varies within 1200-1400 mm.

2The Georgian Road Map on Climate Change Adaptation, 2016 49 • The fourth climate zone spreads on the area within 1800-2000 m above sea level and is characterized by cold humid weather, moderately warm summer and cold long winter.
Average annual air temperature is 6°C, average temperature in January varies within - 5-7°C, and average temperature in July is 13-15 ° C. Annual precipitation varies within 1400-1600 mm.

• Alpine zone starts from 2000-2300 m above sea level.

Average temperature in July is below 10°C, average temperature in January is up to -10-12°C.
The climate change scenario for Imereti regions has been developed based on “The Georgian Road Map on Climate Change Adaptation”3: • • In 2021-2050 the average annual temperature in Upper Imereti will rise presumably by 1.51°C - 1.52°C as compared to 1961-1990 baseline period.

In 20172-2100 the average annual temperature change will vary within 3.8°C-3.9°C as compared to 1961-1990 baseline period.
In 2021-2050 the average spring temperature will rise by 1.23°C- 1.29C° as compared to 1961- 1990, while in 2071-2100 the increment of average spring temperature will reach 3.2-3.4°C as compared to 1961-1990 baseline period.

The annual number of hot days will increase about 2.5 times more than in the previous projected period (2021-2050).
• The heating period, or when the average temperature is below +8°C and the population needs additional heating resources, tends to decrease throughout the territory of Upper Imereti.

The trend is particularly notable in mountain zones, where the heating period decreases by 15 days on average.

• The number of frost days in 2021-2050 will decrease throughout the territory of Upper Imereti as compared to the baseline period 1961-1990.
This decrease is of special importance for mountain regions, where the number of frost days will decrease by 36 days per annum on average.

Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (Ambrolauri, Oni, Lentekhi and Tsageri municipalities) Lower Svaneti: For the moment of preparation of the Second National Communication to UNFCCC mountainous region of Lower Svaneti had been identified as an ecosystem vulnerable to various disastrous weather events, significantly enhanced by global warming.
As a result of the increased frequency and intensity of these phenomena (floods, landslides and mud torrents), land erosion has intensified and greatly damaged agriculture, forests, roads and communications.

As a result of the intensification of landslides and floods, the population of the Lentekhi region has decreased by 40% since 19864.

The average annual air temperature and level of precipitation in this region have increased by 0.40C and 106 mm (8%) respectively, for the past 50 years.
Analysis of observation data on floods for the period of 1967–1989 has demonstrated that in the second half of the period the recurrence of floods grew by more than two-fold, and the maximum discharge has increased by 9%.

At the same time, the duration of floods has decreased by 25%, which could explain the rise in intensity and severity of floods.
3 “Institutionalization of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Georgian Regions (ICCAMGR)”, National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG), USAID, 2016 4 Georgia’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC, 2009 50 Since 1980, the number of landslides has increased by 43%, reaching a total of 117 at present.

This especially drastic increase in the number of landslides was provoked by the abundant snowfall in the winter of 1986-19875.
The increase in heavy precipitation for the last two decades in Lower Svaneti has also caused an almost two-fold growth in the frequency of mudflows.

Despite sufficient provisions of precipitation in the Lentekhi region, its territory is affected by drought from time to time, the duration and recurrence of which have increased from 34 to 47 days (38%) respectively since 1991, compared with the 1956-1972 period.

However, droughts do not create serious problems due to abundance of surface waters.
As for expected climate change, the rate of temperature rise in Lower Svaneti is 0.3°C per 10 years, while rainfall increases by 10 mm.

Racha-Lechkhumi: Average annual air temperature in Ambrolauri municipality is +5.50C (11.20C), in winter -3.10C (1.10C) and in summer +15.40C (20.60C).

Absolute minimum is -21.50C and absolute maximum +39.20C.

Annual precipitation is 1,288 mm; maximum rainfall is recorded in winter and fall – 329 mm.
The number of hot days is 43 on average, the number of frost days equals to 87.

The number of days with heavy precipitation is 16 on average.

Average snow cover duration in Ambrolauri municipality is 60 days.

According to the climate change scenario6 for 2021-2050 and 2071-2100, the climate prediction for Ambrolauri municipality is as follows: • Average annual air temperature will rise by 1.20C.

Maximum increase of temperature is expected in fall (by 1.80C).
Absolute minimum will rise by 0.60C, absolute maximum – by 0.90C.

By this period, annual precipitation will decrease about 4%.

Sharp decrease of precipitation (12%) will be observed in spring, during other season the rate of reduction of rainfall will be lower (2%).

The level of precipitation during all seasons, except summer, will be almost equal.

The number of hot days will increase by about 16, while the number of frost days will decrease by 20.
The number of days with heavy rainfall in the municipality will increase by 1.3.

The thickness of snow cover will increase too, however snow cover duration will decrease.

• By 2071-2100, average annual air temperature will rise by additional +3.40C.

Highest rates of temperature increase (by 4.60C) is expected in summer.

During this season absolute minimum and absolute maximum temperatures, especially absolute minimum temperature (by 4.6-4.40C) will rise considerably.
Annual precipitation will decrease by 10%.

Seasonal sums of precipitation will decrease during all seasons, especially in summer (28%).

For other seasons this index varies within 8-15%.

These changes will lead to the change of annual distribution of rainfall, maximum precipitation will be recorded in winter and its share in annual rainfall will increase.

The number of hot days will increase by about 44, and the number of frost days will decrease by 51.
The 5 Georgia’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC, 2009 6 “Institutionalization of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Georgian Regions (ICCAMGR)”, National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG), USAID, 2016 51 occurrence of heavy rains during this period will decrease by 2.2.

The thickness and duration of snow cover will decrease considerably.
As for Oni municipality: • In 2021-2050 the average annual temperature will rise presumably by 1.49°C-1.50°C as compared to 1961-1990 baseline period.

The number of hot days, i.e.

days when maximum temperature exceeds 250C, in 2021-205 is increasing throughout Georgia as compared to 1961-1990.

This process will be less observable on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus.

In particular, the number of such days in Oni municipality increases from 0.3 to 5 days.
The annual number of frost days by 2021-2050 in Oni municipality will be decreased by 22 days on average as compared to 1961-1990 period.

• The change of average temperature in 2071-2100 will vary within 3.92°C-3.97°C as compared to 1961-1990 baseline period.

In 2071-2100 the annual number of hot days will increase about 2.5 times more than in the previous projected period 2021-2050 according almost to the same pattern.
Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti (Mestia municipality)7: Climate of Mestia municipality is humid with cold winter and long cool summer.

Based on observation data for 1936-1960, average annual air temperature in Mestia municipality was +5.70C, temperature in the coldest month (January) -6.00C, while temperature in the hottest month (July) +16.40C, absolute minimum -35 0C, absolute maximum +350C.

The sum of active temperatures (above +100C) was 20390C, annual relative humidity 75%, annual precipitation - 918 mm.
Maximum average monthly rainfall was recorded in October and amounted to 95 mm, minimum rainfall – in February (61 mm).

Average annual wind speed was 1.1 m/sec.

Prevailing wind directions - mainly north and south-west.

The analysis of the change of climate elements in 1961-1985 and 1986-2010 periods shows, that the average annual air temperature in the middle zone of Mestia municipality has increased by 0.30C.
Warming mainly occurs in summer (+0.70C) and fall (+0.50C), while in winter slight cooling (-0.10C) and in spring slight warming (+0.10C) was recorded.

Average maximums of air temperatures have slightly increased (+0.20C), while average minimums increased considerably (+0.50C).

Annual precipitation has increased by 97 mm (10%).

During the last 25 years, winter in the mentioned zone of Mestia municipality has become colder.

Average annual temperature slightly decreased (-0.10C).
The seasonal number of frost days has increased by 7 on average, increasing the risk of icing.

There was almost no difference between average and average minimal temperatures of these two periods in spring (±0.10C), however average summer temperature has increased significantly (+0.70C).

Therefore, summer in Mestia became significantly hotter and relatively dry.

Fall became warmer.
Fall became warmer.

Average temperature has increased by 0.50C, absolute maximum has increased by 3.40C, while absolute minimum has decreased by 1.60C.

Seasonal precipitation has increased by 10%, hence fall in Mestia became warmer and rainy.

Reoccurrence of heavy rains has been also changed.

In 1986-2010 the number of days with heavy rainfall (≥50 mm) has decreased nearly by two times as compared to 1961-1985.

This change is the most noticeable in summer.


It means that in this zone, which belongs to mudflow and avalanche hazard zones, the risk of occurrence of mudflows is reduced in summer, while the risk of occurrence of snow avalanches is increased in winter.
7 Upper Svaneti Adaptation Strategy to the Climate Change, 2014 52 In the middle zone of the municipality the occurrence of almost all temporary droughts has decreased in the second period (1986-2010), therefore local agriculture does not suffer from the shortage of precipitation.

Expected climate change in Upper Svaneti for the periods of 2021-2050 and 2071–2100 has been evaluated against baseline period of 1961-1990.
Future climate change scenario has been constructed based on RegCM4, using Global Climate Model EH5OM and A1B scenario.

Calculations have been made based on the data of 2 meteorological stations: Mestia and Khaishi located in Upper Svaneti where observations were started in 1933, as well as the data from Zugdidi meteorological station (1929).

The Table below contains predicted values of temperature and precipitation.
Table 3 - Multi-model ensemble’s prediction of climate parameters for Mestia municipality8 Season e n i l e s a b n i e r u t a r e p m e T 0 9 9 1 - 1 6 9 1 d o i r e p Winter Spring Summer Fall -4.3 5.5 15.2 6.7 Year 5.8 Temperature 0C Precipitation, mm e n i l e s a b m o r f t n e m e r c n I 0 5 0 2 - 1 2 0 2 d o i r e p 1.2 0.9 1.7 2.0 1.5 e n i l e s a b m o r f t n e m e r c n I 0 0 1 2 - 1 7 0 2 d o i r e p 3.6 3.2 4.8 4.6 4.0 0 5 0 2 - 1 2 0 2 e r u t a r e p m e T -3.1 6.4 16.9 8.7 7.3 0 0 1 2 - 1 7 0 2 e r u t a r e p m e T -0.7 8.7 20.0 11.3 9.8 e n i l e s a b n i n o i t a t i p i c e r P 0 9 9 1 - 1 6 9 1 d o i r e p 185 236 296 247 9.64 e n i l e s a b m o r f t n e m e r c n I 0 5 0 2 - 1 2 0 2 d o i r e p 29.7 -0.8 19.2 1.6 11.8 e n i l e s a b m o r f t n e m e r c n I 0 0 1 2 - 1 7 0 2 d o i r e p 16.2 6.4 6.1 -13.0 3.2 0 5 0 2 - 1 2 0 2 n o i t a t i p i c e r P 240 234 353 251 1078 0 0 1 2 - 1 7 0 2 n o i t a t i p i c e r P 215 251 314 215 995 The Table shows, that by 2050, 1.50C rise in temperature as compared to 1961-1990 baseline period is expected on the whole territory of Upper Svaneti.
By 2021-2050 annual precipitation will increase by 11.8%.

3.3.

Mineral Resources The following mineral resources are found in the target municipalities of the region: Tkibuli municipality is rich in minerals such as coal and teschenite and facing stones.

Coal is mined in Tkibuli.

Teschenite is mined in the villages Kursebi, Okhomira, Koka, Bueti and Tsutskhvati.

A large factory manufacturing teschenite facing slabs is located in the village Kursebi.
Diptolitic and carbonaceous shale, chalcedony, barite, quartz sands, marl, basalt, jet coal, fireproof and cement clays are also mined.

8 Upper Svaneti Adaptation Strategy to the Climate Change,2014 53 There are also healing balneological (villages Kursebi, Bueti, Sochkebi, Manchiori, Mukhura and Legva) and drinking waters (villages Legva, Manchiori, Urgebi, Tsutskhvati, Dzirovani, etc.).
Chiatura municipality: In Chiatura the reserve of the manganese deposits amount to 215 million t. According to expert evaluation, Georgian manganese deposits are characterized by high quality ores, large reserves and convenient geographical location.

The Chiatura manganese deposit has been exploited from 1879.

Quarts sands mine and mineral waters are found in the village Zodi.

Sachkhere municipality: quartz sand, jet coal and coal, pumice, marble.
Ambrolauri municipality: arsenic, antimony, manganese, iron, limestone, magmatic rocks (basalt), cobble, chalk-stone, brick clay, gypsum, Oni municipality is rich in rare minerals: manganese, barite, gold, molybdenum, wolfram, copper, zinc and lead, antimony, mercury, facing stones, construction sand and pebble.

It shall be noted that most of these mineral resources are difficult to access and their reserves are limited.

Therefore, the demand on these mineral resources, with the exception of gold, is low.
The important deposits of mineral resources of Oni municipality are: • Chordi barite deposit with the reserve of 1817 thousand tons of ore; and • Gebi gold deposit with an estimated reserve of up to 18 tons of gold from three veins.

It shall be noted that the Gebi gold deposit contains 60 veins which are not yet explored and may have an economic significance.
The majority of deposits of mineral resources of Oni municipality are concentrated in upstream areas of the river Rioni gorge and on the territory of the villages Gebi, Chiora and Goni, where the deposits of the following mineral resources are found: molybdenum, antimony, wolfram, mercury, gold, copper, quartz, diabase, limestone, red stone.
Healing mineral water “Utsera” - a sodium bicarbonate type of water containing boric acid, with annual discharge of about 600 tons, is to be mentioned in Oni municipality along with up to 20 other different types of healing, drinking and spa mineral waters.

Tsageri municipality: limestone, sand and gravel for constructions.

Lentekhi municipality’s important mineral resources include arsenic (Tsana deposit), marble and quartzite.

The municipality is rich in mineral waters.


These are: • Tskhumaldi sodium-calcium bicarbonate type of water; • Koja Moreli –several springs with mineral waters of calcium-magnesium bicarbonate type with dissolved carbon dioxide.

Local population uses mineral water for healing purposes.

Lanakiri calcium-magnesium bicarbonate type water with low mineralization.

• • Khopuri is a Borjomi type sodium-calcium bicarbonate water.

The spring is widely used by local communities.


• Muashi two springs of mineral waters: 1.

Muashi - sodium-calcium bicarbonate type of water containing dissolved carbon dioxide, which is used only for drinking; 2.

Tsernashi (Tsrnashi) – iron- 54 manganese bicarbonate type of water containing dissolved carbon dioxide, which is used for balneological purposes.

• Kherias Sgimi sodium bicarbonate type of water with low mineralization.

• Chikhareshi sodium-manganese bicarbonate water.


• Koruldashi two springs of water containing dissolved carbon dioxide and iron.

These springs are not economically viable.

Mestia municipality: Barite, gold, stibium, wolfram, marble, lead-zinc, travertine, limestone, gabbro diabase, antimony, mineral waters of local importance are available in Mestia municipality.
Number of licenses has been issued for minerals extraction and exploration for precious metals in Mestia municipality.9 Detailed information on existing mineral and thermal resources is available at the web-page of the National Agency of Mines.10 3.4.

Soil Types The soil cover in the Imereti region is very diverse.

Mostly widespread soils are chernozems, alluvial soils, subtropical yellow podzols, red soils, raw humus calcareous soils and cinnamomic soils.
In the mountainous regions an open brown forest podzols can be also found.

Yellow soils and thin layer of red soils are used for cultivation of tea and other subtropical cultures.

Red and yellow soils occupy hilly areas in West Georgia.

The Red podzolic soils are found on a comparatively fewer sharp slopes and on the wide ridgelines of the hillocks.

The main type of mountain-forest soils – cinnamomic soils, occupies the vast territory in Upper Imereti.
Finally, on some slopes of Sachkhere municipality the heavy loam soils can be found.

Soil types Characteristic: • Humus-calcareous- The vineyard and orchards are established on this type of soil.

These soils are also widely used for field crops cultivation.

• Alluvial - wheat, barley, corn, melons and gourds and vegetables are cultivated.

On some part of these type of soils few fruit trees are established here and there.
• Subtropical Yellow Podzols - Tea and citrus plants in small numbers are cultivated on this type of soil.

Corn and other annual cultures are also cultivated mainly on yellow podzolic soils.

• Red Soils - there is a subtropical cultures and tea cultivated.

The soil is characterized with acid reaction.

• Cinnamonic Soils - This type of soil is found in Upper Imereti.

Cinnamonic soils is appropriate for perennial plants and in such areas the vineyard is cultivated.
9Pre-feasibility Study for a Protected Area Project in Racha, Lechkhumi and Svaneti (Georgia), Michael Garforth and Ketevan Garforth, GFA consulting group, 2015 10www.nam.gov.ge , https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lwBzA8h8Bv_aWLOLsHc3m8vM3QXl0njf/view 55 • Meadow-calcareous- This type of soil is widespread in Upper Imereti.
This type of soils is used for cultivation of vineyard, corn, laurel, field crops.11 The diversity of the relief of Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region, its geological structure, and its varying climate have led to different types of soil.

This region contains swampy and podzolic lowland, red soil and yellow soils of the foothill, and mountain forest and mountain meadow soil zones.

As most of the region’s territory is in the subtropical climate area, the soils are mostly red, yellow, and podzolic types.
Red soil is usually found on either sloped or gently sloped terrain.

Tea, citruses, candlenut trees, and other subtropical plants are most commonly found there.

Podzolic soils (subtropical podzolic soils) are formed on sedimentary rocks.

The granulometry of the parent material as well as the production level of podzolic soil formation have an effect on the mechanical composition of these types of soil.

Due to this, soils with sandy, loamy and podzolic composition are common in nature.
These types of soil hold a large part of the territory of the lowlands of the region’s subtropical zone.

Strong leaching and podzolization are typical of these types of soil.

In the high mountain zone, the mountain-forest and cinnamonic-forest soils are replaced by meadow soils, which contain the subalpine and alpine soils.

The natural significance of these soils is determined by the herbaceous plants that grow on it, which are used for grassland pastures.
Glaciers have an important part in the formation of soils.

Alluvial soils are common on river terraces.

Agriculturally, these types of soils are most important to the population of Upper Svaneti.

According to the mechanical composition, there are different types of alluvial soils: loamy, sandy, and rocky soils.12 Soil Type Characteristics: • Swampy Soils – The swampy subtropical soils create lots of opportunities for the development of subtropical agriculture.
• Podzolic and Subtropical Podzolic Soils - These types of soil are characterized by different levels of podzolization, Ornstein and generally dense alluvial horizon, which are waterproof, and assist in waterlogging the soil.

These soils are moderately fertile.

Subtropical and subtropical-technical cultures, fruit trees, and annual crops grow on this soil.

The vast majority of the territory is used for growing hazelnut.
• Red and Yellow Soils - These soils are used for subtropical cultures, fruit trees, and annual cultures.

In order to maintain and then improve the fertility of these types of soils, it is necessary to create a deep cultured layer and fertilization.

On sloped areas, it is necessary to take measures against erosion according to the degree of the slope.

• Humus-Calcareous Soils - The formation of this type of soils is associated with limestone, marlstone, and other carbonate rocks.

It is rich with humus.


Its mechanical composition consists of heavy loam and clay soil.

In Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti, vineyard, subtropical fruit trees gardens, subtropical technical cultures, and also various annual cultures are grown on these type soil.

11(MEPA 2016) 12(MEPA 2016) 56 • Mountain Forest and Brown Forest Soils - Mountain forest and brown forest soils are especially common in the upper and lower belts of the forest zone.
These types of soils border subtropical podzolic soils, red and yellow soils, where signs of transitioning towards these types of soil are common.

Quite a large portion of brown forest soils are located under massive forests, but the lower belt of mountain forest zones, 900 meters above sea level; vineyards, and fruit tree gardens are established on these types of soils.

While cultivation of brown forest soil, particular attention should be paid to the complex of anti-erosion measures.
• Subalpine and Alpine Soils - The natural significance of these soils is determined by the herbaceous plants that grow on it, which are used as pastures for livestock, and for relocation of bees in beekeeping.

• Alluvial Soils - Alluvial soil is characterized by the tendency of becoming swampy to varying degrees.

In terms of mechanical composition, in alluvial soil we find sand, sandy soil, loamy soil, clay, as well as skeletal and non-skeletal varieties of soils.
There are 10 types of soils in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti region.

Most of the territory, almost half of it, is covered with the raw humus calcareous soils, which are developed on a variety of calcareous rocks (limestone, diluvial lime layers, marl, calcareous sandstones and others).
The contiguous area of the raw humus calcareous soils begins from Lukhvano (Lechkhumi) settlement, and extends to Tsesi (Racha) village, and from the southern part of the region – from Zubi (Lechkhumi) village to the village Znakva (Racha).

All of the above-mentioned soils are important for vine cultures.
Exactly on these types of soils the best vineyards of Racha-Lechkhumi are established, and where the internationally famous semi-sweet wine of "Khvanchkara" is produced, as well as the wines of the best flavouring properties – "Usakhelouri", “Tsolikouri" of Tvishi and Orbelian "Ojaleshi".

The relatively large area of the region is covered with cinnamonic, alluvial and mountain-meadow soils.
Small patches of podzolic soils, humid mountain-meadow sward soils and glaciers can also be found in this region.13 3.5.

Biodiversity (flora, fauna) Flora Based on the geobotanical zoning of Georgia, the target municipalities are grouped in the following manner14: a) Sachkhere and Chiatura municipalities belong to the geobotanical district of Upper Imereti plateau, the vegetation of which is the poorest variation of Colchic flora.
Due to the high population density and economic activity, the natural vegetation of the Plateau has been almost completely destroyed in many areas and can be found only within certain river gorges.

The natural vegetation is preserved to some extent on the Likhi range and Dzirula-Chkhirimela watershed divide.

13(MEPA 2016) 14R.

Kvachakidze, 2010.

Geobotanical Zoning of Georgia.


57 Forest vegetation is comprised of mixed deciduous (linden, chestnut, hornbeam, maple, ash tree, Georgian oak) and beech forests.

Georgian oak is a dominant species in the forests that grow on south- facing slopes up to 800-900 meters, temporary alder cenosis is often developed on abandoned lands.

At relatively high altitudes (above 800-900 meters) the forests with beech as a dominant species are widespread.
Beech forests occupy large areas, while coniferous forests, mainly pine stands, are rare.

Colchic underwood (cherry laurel, rhododendron, yellow azalea, ilex, etc.)

is rarely found in mixed deciduous and beech forests.

Fescue (Festuca drymeja), sweet woodruff (Asperula odorata), motley grass and ferny forests are widespread.

In oak stands, especially on limestone soils, oriental hornbeam and xeromesophilic shrubbery is found.
Deforested areas are occupied by secondary oriental hornbeam stands and meadows.

The vegetation of the geobotanical district and its dynamics require detailed geobotanical research.

b) Tkibuli municipality belongs to the Imereti geobotanical district which covers the northern slope of the Meskheti range within the Imereti region, excluding its westernmost section.

The geobotanical district is characterized by rugged topography.

The terrain is heavily dissected with river gorges.
The impact of the Black Sea on the territory of this geobotanical district is low and therefore the local climate is characterized by less humidity.

Annual precipitation varies within 900-1600 mm.

Summers often are accompanied with droughts.

The vegetation of the district is relict (Colchic).

3 sub-belts can be clearly distinguished within the forest belt: mixed deciduous forests, beech forests and dark coniferous forests.
• The sub-belt of mixed deciduous forests occupies the zone between 900-1000 above sea level.

Dominant species are: chestnut, beech, hornbeam, alder, maple.

Oak forests grow on south-faced slopes, while oak-hornbeam and ok-beech forests – on shaded slopes covered with thin soils.

Colchic relict underwood (cherry laurel, rhododendron, ilex, Persian ivy, Caucasian whortleberry, yellow azalea, etc.)

is developed in these forests.


Due to uncontrolled forest harvesting, the areas under secondary shrubbery and meadows are increased.

Large areas are occupied by ferns.

• The sub-belt of beech forests covers homogenous beech stands growing at an altitude from 900- 1000 m up to 1500 m above sea level.

Major areas are occupied by chestnut-beech, hornbeam- beech and spruce-beech forests.

Beech and spruce forests are characterized by limited distribution.

Pine stands are rare.


• The sub-belt of dark coniferous forests spreads within 1400-1850 m above sea level.

Spruce, fir, spruce-fir, beech-spruce-fir stands dominate.

Pine stands are found locally.

At certain locations a narrow strip of pure beech forest is developed above coniferous forests.

The forests with relict Colchic underwood are characterized by limited distribution.

Subalpine forests are found within 1850-2500 m above sea level.
The vegetation cover is comprised of subalpine forests, shrubbery and meadows.

c) Mestia and Lentekhi belong to the Svaneti geobotanical district.

Svaneti geobotanical district covers Upper and Lower Svaneti, depressions of the rivers Enguri and Tskhenistskali.

The geobotanical region is surrounded by high mountain ranges.

The local climate is 58 impacted by marine climate; therefore, it is rather mild and humid.

On mountain slopes precipitation increases with the increase of elevation.
Vegetation of the Svaneti geobotanical district is rich and diverse.

Due to mild climate in its western part and continental climate in eastern part, the vegetation of these two parts of the geobotanical district differs from each other significantly.

Forest vegetation of the western part of Svaneti has a mesophilic-like character and appearance and resembles the neighbouring Samegrelo geobotanical district.
Forest vegetation of the eastern part of Svaneti is comprised mainly of oriental spruce (Picea orientalis) and Sosnowsky pine (Pinus sosnowskyi) stands.

Georgian oak (Quercus iberica) is widespread on southern- faced slopes up to 1500 m. On clear-cut areas silver birch (Betula pendula) and aspen (Populus tremula) are found.

Subalpine thin and crook-stem beech stands are found in the subalpine belt at 1800-2500 m above sea level.
There are also subalpine fir, subalpine spruce, subalpine birch and subalpine maple forests.

Forests with Colchic underwood (cherry laurel, rhododendron, yellow azalea, Caucasian whortleberry) are common.

Subalpine high grasses are widespread in the subalpine belt of Svaneti.

Rhododendrom is the most widespread subalpine shrub species.

Yellow azalea, whortleberry and willow occupy smaller areas.

d) Oni, Ambrolauri and Tsageri municipalities belong to the Racha-Lechkhumi geobotanical district.
This geobotanical district covers the Caucasus mountainous area within the historical parts of Racha and Lechkhumi and the northern part of Imereti.

The eastern boundary of the geobotanical district coincides with the limits of the western Georgia.

The climate of the geobotanical region is continental due to its remoteness from the Black Sea and orographic characteristics.

Annual precipitation is 900-1500 mm.

Distribution of precipitation on the surface is not even.
Vegetation of this geobotanical district is diverse.

Due to relatively dry and continental climate, major areas are occupied by xeroplilic plants – oak and pine stands.

The forest belt is spread up to 1859 m and consists of two sub-belts: • The belt of mixed broadleaved and oak forests.

This belt spreads up to 1000-1100 m and is comprised of chestnut, beech, hornbeam, lime tree, maple, acer.

• The sub-belt of beech and dark coniferous forests.
This sub-belt spreads from 1000-1100 m up to 1850 m where beech and spruce stands dominate.

There are both: pure beech stands as well as beech forests mixed with hornbeam, spruce and fir.

In the upper part of the sub-belt, within 1300-1700 m, the share of fir, spruce, fir-spruce and beech-fir forests increases.

In this region the relict stands are rare.

Subalpine forests (1850-2500 m above sea level) are comprised of birch, Caucasian oak, maple, beech, fir and pine stands.
Subalpine forests are covered with tall grasses.

Rhododendron stands are widespread in subalpine forests.

Junipers, whortleberry and willows occupy smaller areas.

This geobotanical district includes subnival belt as well (R. Kvachakidze – Geobotanical Zoning of Georgia).

59 Fauna Mestia15: Intensive human economic activity caused considerable change of local wildlife.
As a result of filed surveys of 2006-2007 the following species have been identified: Mammal species: European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula), European hare (Lepus europaeus), brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), Caucasian shrew (Sorex caucasicus), whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus), parti-coloured bat (Vespertilio murinus), Caucasian mole (Talpa Caucasica), Caucasian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus, VU), European pine marten (Martes martes), fox (Vilpes vilpes), European badger (Meles meles), brown bear (Ursus arqtos, EN).
long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus, VU), white-winged redstart Bird species: Georgian Red List species golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos, VU), bearded vulture (Gypaetus (Phoenicurus barbatus, VU), erythrogasterus VU), great rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla, VU), common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus), mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus), Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius), little owl (Athene noctua), brown owl (Strix aluco), green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocoros minor), tree pipit (Anthus trivialis), common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), goldcrest (Regulus regulus), Eurasian golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus), common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), red-breasted flycatcher (Ficedula parva), red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra).
Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti16:Fauna of Racha-Lechkhumi is not well studied.

Information on invertebrates is limited.

Around 51 mammal and 152 bird species are widespread in this area.
Mammal species include: chamois (Rupicapra, EN), brown bear (Ursus arctos EN), lynx (Lynx lynx CR), Mediterranean horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus Euryale VU), long-clawed mole vole (Prometheomys schaposchnikowi, VU), Caucasian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus VU), East Caucasian tur (Capra cylindricornis VU), West Caucasian tur (Carpa caucasica EN), European pine marten (Martes martes), European badger (Meles meles), fox (Vulpes), wildcat (Felis silvestris), roe deer (Capreolus), wolf (Canis lupus).
Birds: bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus, VU), golden eagle (Aquila crysaetus, VU), Caucasian grouse (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi VU), Caucasian snowcock (Tetraogallus caucasicus), mountain chiffchaff (Phylloscopus lorenzii), white-winged redstart (Phoenicurus erythrogaster), rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla, VU), griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus EN), boreal owl (Aegolius funereus VU), long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus VU) and Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus VU).
Fauna of Imereti17 Mammals: European badger (Meles meles), wolf (Canis lupus), jackal (Canis aureus), brown bear (Ursus arctos EN), European pine marten (Martes martes), lynx (Lynx lynx CR), mole (Talpidae), Caucasian squirrel 15Draft Management Plan of Svaneti Protected Areas.

16Draft Management Plan of Racha-Lechkhumi Protected Areas.
17 Resolution of Georgian government N79 on approval of Ajameti MR management plan, February 19, 2016 60 (Sciurus anomalus) and red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), red deer (Cervus elaphus, CR), European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra VU) Birds: northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis), tree pipit (Anthus trivialis), great white heron, grey heron (Ardea cinerea), great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) and black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), Eurasian hoopoe (Upupa epops), booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), Eurasian wren (Troglodytes), common blackbird (Turdus merula) and ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus), black kite (Milvus migrans), etc.
3.6.

Forests and Protected Areas The forests of the target regions belong to Colchis forest-vegetation region (the territory of Georgia is divided into forest-vegetation 7 regions) (Acad.

V. Gulisashvili).

This region is surrounded by the black sea on the west, main Caucasus range on the north, Surami (Likhi) range of the east and Adjara-Imereti range on the south.

Climate varies vertically.

Annual precipitation at different locations varies within 1200-4000 mm.
The forests of the target regions belong to the following 4 vertical belts out of 5 vertical belts of the Colchis region18: • The belt of chestnut forests (within 500-1000 m above sea level).

Dominant species in this belt is chestnut (during recent years chestnut trees have been intensely harvested due to valuable timber).
Along with chestnut trees, the following tree species are also found: Strandzha oak, lime tree (Tilia caucasica), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), alder (Alnus barbata), Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis), Georgian oak (Quercus iberica) growing on limy soils, etc.

Underwood is imeretina), comprised mainly of box rhododendron, Colchis bladdernut (Staphylea colchica).

Evergreen underwood in thinned forests is almost impassable.
laurel, buckthorn tree, cherry (Rhamnus • The belt of beech forests (within 1000-1600 m above sea level).

The belt is characterized by high productive beech forests mixed up with individual or small amounts of lime tree, elm (Ulmus glabra), hornbeam, alder, Norway maple (Acer laetum), fir trees.

Underwood is characterized by evergreen shrubbery.

Due to the intensive growth of forests or the presence of evergreen underwood, grass cover is almost lacking.
Therefore, these forests are often called dead covered forests.

Underwood is also characterized by the presence of Caucasian whortleberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylos).

• The belt of spruce and fir forests (within 1600-2000 m above sea level).

For this belt spruce-fir (Oriental spruce - Picea orientalis, fir - Abies nordmanniana) forests often mixed up with beech are characteristic.

At the upper limit of the forests warty birch (Betula werrucosa) is found.

Evergreen underwood is well developed.


In these forests’ fir trees grow to huge sizes – up to 50- 55 m in height and up to 1,5-2 m in diameter (200-400 years aged).

• The belt of subalpine thin and crook stem forests (from 1900-2000 m up to 2200 m above sea level).

This belt is characterized by lower height, low productivity forests often with creek stem 18 Prof. V.Gulisashvili, Forestry, 1973 61 trees.
The following tree species are found: Caucasian maple tree (Acer trautvetteri), beech, mountain ash (Sorbus boissieri), Litwinow Birch (Betula litwinowii), Medwedew birch (Betula medwedewii), Megrelian birch (Betula megrelica), Pontine oak (Quercus pontica).

Pontine oak and Medwedew birch are often found at lower elevations within the spruce and fir forest belt.

Medwedew birch, Megrelian birch and Pontine oak are characteristic species for this belt.
There species are not found in other forests of the South Caucasus.

Subalpine tall grasses, comprised of quite high (1,5-3 m high) grasses are well developed in this belt.

These grasses prefer limestone soils, where pontic rhododendron and rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasica) can nit grow.

Those sections of the subalpine belt, which are not characterized by limestone soils and border with subalpine meadows, are often covered with pontic rhododendron and rhododendron.
Below is given the distribution of dominant tree species by forest districts of the target regions based on the recent (2004) forest inventory data, obtained from the National Forestry Agency of Georgia: Ambrolauri forest district % of total area Table 4 -Dominant tree species by forest districts In Oni and Ambrolauri Oni forest district Dominant tree species Fir Spruce Pine Beech Beech developed from shoots Oak Oak developed from shoots Hornbeam Hornbeam developed from shoots Chestnut developed from seeds and chestnut developed from shoots Maple developed from seeds and maple developed from shoots Alder developed from seeds and alder developed from shoots Birch Other (poplar, lime tree, willow, ilex, rhododendron, pontic rhododendron) Total Area (ha) 1338 826 2171 21284 2098 6766 937 4198 825 % of total area 3 1.19 4.9 47.8 4.7 15.3 2.1 9.5 1.9 Area (ha) Table 5 - Dominant tree species by forest districts In Lentekhi and Tsageri Lentekhi forest district Tsageri forest district Dominant tree species Fir Spruce Pine Beech Beech developed from shoots Oak 7 Oak developed from shoots 8 Hornbeam 9 10 11 Hornbeam developed from shoots Chestnut developed from seeds and chestnut developed from shoots Maple developed from seeds and maple developed from shoots Alder developed
 from seeds and alder developed from shoots 12 13 Birch Other (poplar, lime tree, willow, ilex, rhododendron, pontic rhododendron) Total 14 15 Area (ha) 9243 4741 199 37141 0 4317 0 3543 513 538 % of total area 11.6 5.95 0.24 46.64 0 5.42 0 4.44 0.64 Area (ha) 1090 423 614 26597 622 2257 1456 3467 3778 % of total area Table 6 - Dominant tree species
0.12 3.37 100 63 Table 6 - Dominant tree species by forest districts In Sachkhere and Chiatura Sachkhere forest district Chiatura forest district Dominant tree species Fir Spruce Pine Beech Beech developed from shoots Oak 7 Oak developed from shoots 8 Hornbeam Area (ha) 0 60 1244 44212 163 4411 839 4055 9 10 11 Hornbeam developed from shoots Chestnut developed from seeds and chestnut developed from shoots Maple developed from seeds and maple developed from shoots Alder developed from seeds and alder developed from shoots 12 13 Birch Other (poplar, lime tree, willow, ilex, rhododendron, pontic rhododendron) Total 14 15 1341 4628 49 619 11 1145 62777 % of total area Area (ha) % of total area Table 7 - Dominant tree species by forest districts In Tkibuli and Mestia Tkibuli forest district Dominant tree species Fir Spruce Pine Beech Beech developed from shoots Oak 7 Oak developed from shoots 8 Hornbeam Hornbeam developed from shoots Chestnut developed from seeds and chestnut developed from shoots Maple developed from seeds and maple developed from shoots Alder developed from seeds and alder developed from shoots Birch Other (poplar, lime tree, willow, ilex, rhododendron, pontic rhododendron) Total 14 15 Area (ha) 14 106 560 5125 81 1010 85 5179 3182 % of total area 0.04 0.34 1.82
 16.74 0.26 3.29 0.27 16.92 10.39 Mestia forest district Area (ha) 50857 9604 10391 29572 0 4029 0 2580 0 % of total area Area of Forest Fund territories of the target regions as of 2019: Table 8 - Forest Fund Territories in target Municipalities N Municipality Oni Ambrolauri Lentekhi Tsageri Sachkhere Chiatura Tkibuli Mestia Total Area/ha 73629
 80880 76309 50854 49108 24783 29908 129 022 385471 65 Ecosystem services of forests in target regions: 1.
Provisioning services.

Provisioning services of forests in mountainous regions include: provision of food (plants, fruits, berries, fish, bird, etc.)

to humans and animals; provision of drinking water and timber (both heating and construction timber) to local communities, as well as provision of genetic resources for the use in medicine.

2.

Regulation services.

Forest provides number of ecosystem services related to protection of the environment.
They have the following functions: soil protection and water regulation, regulation of climate and water regime, prevention of natural disasters (floods), water retention and purification.

Old-growth mountain forests as global carbon sinks have a special role in global climate change mitigation.

Conservation of mature and over-mature forests is economically feasible from the perspective of reduction of GHG emissions.

Young forests growing on relatively flat terrain contribute to oxygen generation.

3.
3.

Habitat services.

Services that require conservation of old-growth forests and biodiversity shall be underlined.

In mountain forests relict and endemic species of characteristic flora and fauna are conserved.

Natural streams that play a vital role for many species of fauna during important stages of their lifecycle shall be emphasized.

4.

Cultural services.

Forests of the target areas belong to the unique ecosystems of the world.They have an exceptional scientific and educational value.
From the perspective of archaeological and ecotourism services, archaeological sites of Bronze age, located on the territory of Imereti, Svanetian towers and spiritual destinations shall be emphasized.

Use of non-timber forest resources: Detailed data on the amounts of harvested medicinal plants, wild fruits and berries, beekeeping products, mushrooms, plants and the use of pastures of the State Forest Fund is not available.
Non-timber resources of the target regions (mushrooms, medicinal and technical materials and other grasses, shrubs and trees and their resources) have been traditionally used by local communities for different purposes.

Currently the demand on these resources has increased both at local and international markets.

Only few processing enterprises operate in the target regions.

They try to use ecologically clean resources that grow in wild nature.
Prior to the use, these resources shall be inventoried and evaluated.

40 years ago, the export of fir cones (50 tons a year) from Racha region was started.

Currently the amounts of exported fir cones are increased.

In 2007 a long-term license on collection of fir cones (640 tons a year) was issued.

Fir cones are collected in Tlugi and Nikortsminda forest districts (Racha region).
Due to intensive collection of fir cones during last decades, natural regeneration of fir trees does not occur putting this species on the verge of extinction.19 Notwithstanding of many efforts, the use of non-timber forest resources in Georgia is not regulated by the law.
In a scientific paper, included in Newsletter of the Academy of Agriculture, a standard for the use of non-timber forest resources is proposed, namely, non-timber resources of perennial and annual plants shall be obtained in a sustainable manner.

Fruits of perennials and mushrooms can be collected annually, while fruits and flowers on annual plants – biennially, other aboveground parts, like sprouts and buds – 19Source: National Environmental Agency, August 2019 66 once in 3-4 years.
Underground parts can be collected only once in 8-10 years.

These are general recommendations and may vary depending on reserves of a specific plant in the nature.

In this regard, those plants that are being cultivated, as well as those, the reserves of which exceed the demand on them.
Collection of rare and endangered species, that are included in the Red List is not allowed by the law.20 In the target regions protected areas are established only in the Tkibuli municipality, namely Tsutskhvati Cave Natural Monument which occupies 8.53 ha and managed by the Imereti Caves Protected Areas Administration.
Figure 9 - Imereti Caves protected areas Source: Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia As of 2019, two draft laws on designation of the new protected areas have been developed: a) Draft Law on Creation and Management of Central Caucasus Protected Areas, which will regulate the following categories of protected areas: 1.

Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti National Park, occupying 186 245 ha on the territory of Oni, Ambrolauri and Lentekhi municipalities.

20Tbilisi 2017.
20Tbilisi 2017.

Newsletter #28 of the Academy of Agriculture.

Scientific paper by Nana Goginashvili, PhD in Agriculture 67 2.

Sasashi Forest Natural Monument, occupying 2 503 ha on the territory of Lentekhi municipality 3.

King Tamar Forests Natural Monument, occupying 445.9 ha on the territory of Oni municipality.

4.

Glola Boulders Natural Monument, occupying 5.39 ha on the territory of Oni municipality.

5.
5.

Skhvavi Iced Cave Natural Monument, occupying 3.38 ha on the territory of Ambrolauri municipality.

6.

Kvabtkari Natural Monument, occupying 138.54 ha on the territory of Ambrolauri municipality.

7.

Saelio Range, Sakudeli and Khidikari Natural Monument, occupying 560.08 ha on the territory of Ambrolauri municipality.

8.

Ghvardia Narrow Gorges and Sairme Rocks Natural Monument, occupying 166.7 ha on the territory of Ambrolauri and Tsageri municipalities.

9.
9.

Shareula Canyon Natural Monument, occupying 665.15 ha on the territory of Ambrolauri municipality.

10.

Lajanuri Canyon Natural Monument, occupying 508.64 ha on the territory of Tsageri municipality.

11.

Jonjoula Boulders Natural Monument, occupying 142.03 ha on the territory of Tsageri municipality.

12.

Muri Rocks Natural Monument, occupying 67.2 ha on the territory of Tsageri and Lentekhi municipalities.

13.
13.

Askhi Plateau Managed Reserve, occupying 3 237 ha on the territory of Tsageri municipality.

14.

Khvamli Massif Managed Reserve, occupying 5 554 ha on the territory of Tsageri municipality.

15.

Shaori-Khikhata Managed Reserve, occupying 20 426.9 ha on the territory of Oni and Ambrolauri municipalities.

16.

Sadmeli Managed Reserve, occupying 3 948 ha on the territory of Ambrolauri municipality.

17.

Akhalchala Managed Reserve, occupying 884 ha on the territory of Tsageri municipality.

18.
18.

Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti Protected Landscape, occupying 4 772.6 on the territory of Oni, Ambrolauri and Tsageri municipalities.

68 Figure 10 -Planned Central Caucasus Protected Areas Source: Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia The planned protected area includes known locations of red list plant species.
The globally threatened Western Caucasian tur (Capra caucasica) and globally near-threatened Eastern Caucasian tur (C. cylindricornis) occur in the upper part of Oni municipality together with brown bear (Ursus Arctos), European lynx (Lynx lynx) and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) - also on the Red List.

It is likely that bear breeds on parts of the Svaneti and Lechkhumi ranges and chamois on parts of the Svaneti range.
Western tur may breed on parts of the Svaneti range.21 Designation of a protected area could be justified on one hand as interventions to sustain threatened biodiversity; on the other hand, designation of a protected landscape (among others) will help in harmonious of human and nature development.

b) Draft Law on Creation and Management of Upper Svaneti Glacier National Park, which will regulate the establishment of the Upper Svaneti Glacier National Park.
The National Park with 46122.5 ha total area is located on the territory of Mestia municipality.
21Pre-feasibility Study for a Protected Area Project in Racha, Lechkhumi and Svaneti (Georgia), Michael Garforth and Ketevan Garforth, GFA consulting group, 2015 69 Figure 11 -Planned Upper Svaneti Glacier National Park Source: Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia The reason for designation of the PA is protection of (i) unique and endangered, untouched nival ecosystems permanently covered by ice, alpine meadows and subalpine forest ecosystems and High Mountain deciduous and coniferous forest ecosystems, that are either untouched or less damaged; (ii) Animal species included in Georgian Red List are present, e.g.
turn, chamois, brown bear, lynx etc.

that are present in the territory of the planned protected areas.

The high mountain Oak tree (Georgian Red List) is also present in the target area.22 3.7.

Land Use Types Since the dissolution of State Department for Land Use in 2004, the land inventory has never been counted.

Likewise, the unregistered changes of declared use of land are noteworthy.
As a result of these problems both the total area of agricultural land and allotments distributed among the population are unknown as well as the precise area of land retained in the state ownership.

These factors complicate the assessments of the changes in the land use patterns.

Soil fertility has depleted over the time due to lack of technologies, capital and basic skills and practices.
The poor condition of the irrigation and drainage systems make difficult for small holder farmers to succeed and to maintain soil’s fertility and to farm sustainably.

22Justification for designation of Upper Svaneti Glacier National Park, APA, 2019 70 The difficulties of the legal process of the land registration are another issue resulting in the abandonment of the agricultural land.

The abandoned agricultural land is mainly forested.

The unsustainable grazing practice lead to the pastures’ degradation.
Unclear status of so called kolkhoz forest land (forest of local significance), that was never transferred to municipalities for management, despite of the legal provisions included in the current forest legislation, resulted in degradation and in some cases in total disappearance of forest in the vicinity of villages, as well as wind, soil erosion and water protective forest cover.
The total agricultural land in the Chiatura municipality amounts to 24,177 out of which 7,108 ha is arable land, 1,465 ha perennial crops, 388 ha - meadow and 15,216 ha pasture.23 Figure 12 -Distribution of the Agricultural land in Chiatura 63% 29% 6% 2% Arable perennial crop meadow pasture Source: The Information Consultation centre in Chiatura According to the information from the Information Consultation centres in Sachkhere municipality, the total agricultural land in the municipality amounts to 15,517 ha out of which 7,277ha is arable land, 1,109 ha perennial plantation, 393 ha meadow and 6,778 ha pasture.
23The Information Consultation centers in Chiatura, July 2019 71 Figure 13 -Distribution of the Agricultural land in Sachkhere 2% 6% 28% 64% Perennial crops Arable land Meadow Pasture The total agricultural land in Tkibuli Municipality amounts to 17,385 ha, out of which 8,498 is arable land.
The smallest agricultural land from the target municipalities is in Tkibuli and is 12,495 out of which 3,593 is an arable land, 21 ha meadow, ha 6,527 pasture and 2,354 ha perennial crop.24 Figure 14 - Distribution of the agricultural land in Tkibuli municipality 19% 29% 52% 0% Perennial crops Arable land meadow pasture Source: The Information Consultation centres in Tkibuli 24The Information Consultation centers in Tkibuli, July 2019 72 As the Figure 3 shows, the project areas in Imereti region (Tkibuli, Chiatura and Sachkhere municipalities) have the smallest agricultural land and the average land size owned by Agri holdings are below the region’s average.
The arable plot seizes accounts in Chiatura 0.35 ha, in Sachkhere 0.32 ha and Tkibuli 0.45 ha.

the average size in Imereti region for the arable land is 0.46 ha owned by agricultural holdings which are divided into 2-3 separate plots.
Figure 15 - Arable land area operated by agricultural holdings and its structure (ha) a h 9,000 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 - Arablel land Land under temporary crops Kutaisi City 198 94 Baghdati Vani Zestapho ni Terjola Samtredi a Sachkher e Tkibuli Tskaltubo Chiatura Kharagaul i Khoni 2,999 3,678 5,149 6,876 7,493 3,539 2,131 8,539 3,785 2,732 3,914 2,312 2,932 4,066 5,782 6,201 2,649 1,387 5,859 2,468 2,138 3,249 Uncultivated land 104 687 747 1,083 1,094 1,292 890 744 2,680 1,317 594 665 86% of households of the Mestia municipality own agricultural lands and average land size is 0.7 ha.
Few households (6%) rent lands.

According to the information from the Information Consultation centres in Mestia municipality, the total agricultural land in the municipality amounts to 94,279 ha out of which 4,410ha is arable land, 2,077 ha - meadow and 93% of the total agricultural land (90,804 ha) is ha pasture.
Figure 16 - Distribution of the Agricultural land in Mestia 2% 5% 0% 93% Perennial crops Arable land Meadow Pasture 73 The region's soil and climatic conditions are favourable for the development of organic fruit farming.

The largest part of the region is in the subtropical area.

Therefore, the leading priorities in the fruit farming are the subtropical crops.

The most common fruits in the region are feijoa, kiwi, subtropical persimmon, citrus, as well as pears, apples, plums, peaches etc.
Besides the tourism sector, the agriculture is another important part of the rural economy in general for the region as well as for Mestia municipality.

The majority of the population in Mestia, is engaged in small scale subsistence-oriented agriculture.

Agriculture is one of the most important activities in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti region, employing more than half the local population, including those who are self-employed.
Agriculture is not adequately modernized and is mostly concentrated on household consumption rather than commercial aims.

According to the information from the Information Consultation centres in Racha Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, the total agricultural land in the region amounts to 88,860 ha out of which 5,713 ha is arable land, 1,698 ha perennial plantation, 24,533 ha meadow and 56,916 ha pasture.
Figure 17 - Distribution of the Agricultural land in Racha-Lechkhumi Lower Svaneti 2% 6% 28% 64% Perennial crops Arable land Meadow Pasture The diagram bellow shows the distribution of the agricultural land by its category by municipalities 74 Figure 18 -Distribution of the Agricultural land in Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri and Lentekhi municipalities a h 50,000 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 - Pasture Meadow Perrenial crops Arable land Ambrolauri 10,949 2,202 1,568 1,722 Oni 27,753 15,590 130 1,859 Tsageri 8,511 1,435 1,393 Lentekhi 9,703 5,306 739 The vast majority of households own around 1.25 ha of land, mainly used for pastures or hay meadows.
One of the region’s major problems is unused land, mainly state-owned land.

Figure 19 - Arable land area operated by agricultural holdings and its structure (ha) a h 3 000 2 500 2 000 1 500 1 000 500 0 Ambrolauri Lentekhi Uncultivated land Land under temporary crops Arablel land 499 320 819 29 211 240 Oni 239 178 418 Tsageri 433 790 1 223 Due to climatic conditions and agricultural land specification, there are no irrigation systems in the region.
During summer, locals mainly use drinking water systems and natural sources for irrigation, creating seasonal water supply problems.

75 3.8.

Water Provision and Waste Waters The two main rivers of the Imereti region are the river Rioni and the river Kvirila.

Water supply and sewage systems are a big challenge for the region.

The sewage systems are out of order in the towns of the Imereti municipalities and absent in the majority of the villages of the region.
There are no treatment plants for sewage waters.

The untreated waste water from residential areas incompletely treated waste water from the hospitals or industries, and the waters from landfills or agricultural lands discharge directly into the rivers causing serious problems for the environment and social safety.

Imereti region authorities actively work on improving water supply and sewage systems.
The works for rehabilitation of the existing sewage systems and construction of new water treatment plants are ongoing in Chiatura municipality.

The water pollution is especially severe in Chiatura municipality.

Large quantities of solid particles and manganese compounds causing severe water pollution are directly discharged by the mining industries into the river Kvirila along with the other industrial waters.
Another source of pollution is use of pesticides and organic and inorganic fertilizers in agricultural sector.

According to the deputy-Mayor of Chiatura municipality, the situation with water pollution is quite complex.

At present, a project aiming at supplying with water all registered households in Chiatura town is ongoing.

The water supply infrastructure of Chiatura was built in 70’s and is already outdated.

The water quality is not controlled.


The Chiatura town is supplied with technical water from water pumps owned by the Georgian Manganese, which does not meet the national standard for drinking water25.

The water is being pumped from River Kvirila, while the supply pumps are damaged and drinking water is mixed with the polluted ground water.
As for the villages, there are two types of water supply schemes there: some villages are supplied with water from the water headwork facilities/reservoirs built by the villagers; others are receiving drinking water through the pumping stations registered under Georgian Manganese.

These are auxiliary pumping stations, that are damaged but operational and do not meet the quality requirements for water provision, set in the national standard for water provision26.
Sewage infrastructure in Chiatura town is from 50’s-60’sof the last century and need total rehabilitation.

There is no systematic scheme for waste water in the villages.27 Town Sachkhere is fully provided with water with an updated water supply infrastructure.

Drinking water supplied to Sachkhere town meets quality requirements of the national standard for water provision.

The works are ongoing to supply all villages with drinking water.
The town Sachkhere has no problem with sewage water, as there is a septic waste water treatment facility.28 Waste water is treated in septic tanks for sanitation purposes, thus reducing the bacterial charge and prevents river and groundwater pollution.
25Resolution of Georgian Government N58 on approval of the national standard for drinking water, January 15, 2014 26Resolution of Georgian Government N58 on approval of the national standard for drinking water, January 15, 2014 27Personal communication with the deputy-Mayor of Chiatura municipality, Mr. Davit Bichadze, 19.06.2019 28Personal communication with the deputy-Mayor of Sachkhere municipality, Mr. Otar Omiadze, 19.06.2019 76 The water provision is ensured in the whole Tkibuli municipality, but the water supply infrastructure is old and needs renovation.
The 47 villages of the municipality are grouped in 9 territorial units.

All of them have old water supply pipes.

A laboratory analysis proved that drinking water in the villages meets quality requirements of the national standard for water provision.

However, the sewage system infrastructure is outdated and needs rehabilitation.
It is planned to build a water treatment plant (projected activities will take place already in 2019).29 The River Rioni is the main artery of other target region of the project - Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (in Ambrolauri and Oni municipalities).

The second important river is Tskhenistskhali that flows south west and then west towards the town of Lentekhi.

Other important rivers are Kheledula and Laskadula.

The main industry linked to water resources is hydropower sector.
There are two reservoirs in the Racha-Lechkhumi region: Shaori reservoir with the 90 million m3 (among them useful 87 million m3) regulating seasonal water flow for Shaori Hydro Power Plant (hereafter HPP), and Lajanuri reservoir with water volume of 20 million m3 (useful 17 million m3), providing water to Lajanuri HPP.

Sewage systems in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti region exist only in the municipality centres: the cities of Ambrolauri (60%), Lentekhi (97%), Oni (100%), and Tsageri (50%).
There are no water treatment plants in the region.

Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti is also rich with water resources.

The River Enguri (length 213 km) originates from the Shkhara mountain and Enguri glacier above the community of Ushguli and flows for about 100 km through Upper Svaneti to Samegrelo from where it continues to the Black Sea.30 There are 2400 waterbodies listed in the Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region.

The other rivers are Khobistskali, Tekhuri, and Abashistskali.
The potable water in Mestia Municipality (Upper Svaneti) is collected from the natural springs originating from the glacier.

According to the local population, normally, water is clean but has poor mineralization.

There is an unsustainable pattern of using fresh water resources in the winter: due to the fact that the temperature in winter is very low, the population keeps water taps open and water running to avoid freezing the water in the pipes.
This results in a big loss of fresh water resources annually.31 Sewage systems do not exist in Mestia municipality.

There are 4 locations, where untreated waste waters discharge directly into the river.
29Personal communication with the deputy-Mayor of Tkibuli municipality, Mr. Giorgi Lomtadze, 19.06.2019 30Pre-feasibility Study for a Protected Area Project in Racha, Lechkhumi and Svaneti (Georgia), Michael Garforth and Ketevan Garforth, GFA consulting group, 2015 31Interview with the Deputy Mayor of Mestia municipality, 10.06.2019 77 3.9.

Solid Waste Generation and Management Annually, in Imereti region approximately 490,000 m3 of household waste is produced32.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the region, thus abovementioned amount of waste is going to be increased in the future.

Figure 20 - Number of Tourists in Imereti region and Kutaisi, 2013-2015.

1400000 1200000 1000000 800000 600000 400000 200000 0 2013 2014 2015 Imereti region Kutaisi Table 9 - Forecast of produced wastes in Kutaisi33.
2016 54738 2017 55833 Amount of Produced waste in Tones 2020 2019 2018 59250 58089 56950 2021 60436 2022 61644 In Imereti region, similar to other parts of Georgia, there is no regular studies made on waste composition.

According to the estimates, the main part of the produced waste is organic fraction (47%).

The rest is the plastic (14%), paper (10%), metal (3%) and glass (2%).

There are seasonal variations of waste generation amounts.
The amount of organic waste increases during the summer and autumn seasons due to the increased number of visitors and the wastes coming from the agricultural sector.

Municipal Services of the region are responsible for municipal waste collection.
Based on waste management legislation municipal waste because of its nature or composition, is similar to household waste34 and is produced from commercial or industrial individuals that contains about 50 types of different waste including hazardous wastes as well (For example: batteries and accumulators, paints, chemicals, electronic devices, fluorescent lamps, medical and animal wastes cosmetics, pesticides and their packaging, asbestos and etc.).
There are 2 types of waste collection systems: “through Containers” (discharge of public waste containers through waste collector tracks) and “with so called Ring/ Call method” (Periodically waste collector tracks enter public yards and take the waste and bring it to the landfills).

At present, there are 9 landfills in Imereti Region, out of them 4 are closed and 5 are operational.

Landfills 32Imereti Region Development Strategy 2014-2021.

33 Kutaisi Municipal Waste Management Plan 2018-2022.
34Georgian Law on “Waste Management Code”.

78 are under the LTD “Solid Waste Management Company” ownership.

So called Nikea dumpsite35, that started functioning in 1957 was considered as one of the most problematic sites not only in Imereti region but in the whole Georgia.

For years, waste had been dumped in this area in inappropriate ways that negatively affected nearby population and environment.
Figure 21 - Nikea Landfill Visual observation shows that waste was disposed without any pre-treatment operations.

As a result, the whole dumpsite area (150,096 m2) is covered with waste layer that in some places reaches the height of 12-15 meters.

The “ring-road” along the dumpsite perimeter was also covered with waste.

As it had no proper water supply system, there were several cases of fire.

At the present time, the first regional waste landfill construction process is ongoing.
It is the most important initial step for the Imereti region to meet modern waste management requirements and standards (in accordance with the National Waste Management Strategy, that sets obligations for the year 2023, every old municipal landfill should be closed down and replaced with the new regional landfill).

First regional landfill construction will be organized within the scope of the project “Integrated Solid waste Management Kutaisi”.
The project will be implemented by Georgian-German Financial Cooperation: German Reconstruction Credit Bank (KFW), EU-NIFF grant of the EU Neighbourhood Investment Fund and also with local contribution with total cost of 26 million Euro.

The landfill will serve not only the Imereti region but Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti regions as well.
Project encompasses the investments in 35http://waste.gov.ge/ka/?p=93&lang=en 79 the following actions: Closure of Nikea dumpsite and improvement of waste management system for municipalities’ including arrangement of waste transfer stations.

A huge problem is associated with hazardous waste of diverse origins.

Very challenging is historically accumulated asbestos containing waste from materials that were widely used in sewage systems and construction.
In recent years, management of medical waste that is coming from medical facilities and clinics has been greatly improved.

But collections of the medical waste generated from household that goes to landfills or to the environment through illegal dumpsites, remains the problem.

Moreover, there are complex issues and challenges with Tkibuli Coal Mining operational waste disposal, Chiatura Manganese Mine with its Gurgumela Sludge Reservoir and Kutaisi Lithopone factory waste.
The management of waste from agricultural activities and agro-industrial zones is also an issue that is to be addressed.

Thus, due to the fact that Imereti region has a good tourism potential rural development has to consider and plan for addressing the potential negative impacts of increased amount of waste generation.

Uncontrolled dumpsites and historically accumulated hazardous wastes are the biggest issues of the Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Region.
The existing controlled 3 landfills are under the LTD “Solid Waste Management Company” ownership.

But in each municipality, there can be found number of illegal dumpsites that do not met any legislative requirements or environmental standards.

During the rainy seasons and floods, the waste from these areas is discharged into rivers.

Landfills in the region cover more than 1.3 hectares and the amount of annually produced municipal waste exceeds 10133 m3.
There are no studies and observations made on waste composition in the region; e.g.

in Tsageri municipality36 majority of produced waste is organic waste (60%); then vegetal residues (20%), plastic (5%), paper (5%), metal (1%) and glass (2%); other organic or inorganic waste (7%).

It is also worth to consider the seasonal variations of waste generation amounts and types.

Municipal Services of the region are responsible for municipal waste collection.
There are 2 types of waste collection systems: “through Containers” (discharge of public waste containers through waste collector tracks) and “with so called Ring/ Call method” (Periodically waste collector tracks are entering public yards and taking produced waste and bring to landfills).

Management of medical waste that is coming from medical facilities and clinics has been greatly improved during past years.
But the problem remains with the medical waste from household that goes to landfills or illegally into the environment.

Mestia is the main centre of tourism for the Svaneti region.

There are several major construction activities including new roads, old town centre renovations and different kinds of hotels.

Also, Mestia is served by the Queen Tamar Airport.


In the whole municipality polluted areas are about 20,173 m2 and volume of waste - 784m3.37 However, no specific studies are made on waste composition.

36Tsageri Municipal Waste Management Plan 2018-2022.

37 Mestia Municipality Municipal Waste Management Plan 2018-2022.

80 According to the data of the tourism centre in Mestia, in 2017 there were registered almost twice more (22 348) visitors, than in 2014.
"Mestia Cleaning Service" is responsible for municipal waste collection that covers about 60% of the municipal settlements and collects about 7 300m3 of waste per year.

There is no official landfill in Mestia, only the waste transfer station that is under the ownership of LTD “Solid Waste Management Company”.

There are still the problems with illegal dumpsites.

However, local authorities closed down 9 illegal dumpsites with the help of local population.
Figure 22 - Cleaning-up of illegal dumpsites Management of medical waste that is coming from medical facilities and clinics has been greatly improved during the past years.

But the problem remains with the medical waste from household that goes to landfills or illegally into the environment.

Thus, due to the fact that Mestia municipality has a good tourism potential rural development has to consider and plan for addressing the potential negative impacts of increased amount of waste generation.

3.10.
3.10.

Animal Waste From the 2014 Georgian legislation sets high standards for the care of animals (including agricultural farms).

With the Governmental resolution #722 “On approval of the Business Operator Recognition Rules” the Business Operator subjected to food business or animal origin processing must be the subject to recognition in accordance with the Food/Animal Health, Veterinary and Plan Protection Code”.

A healthy animal is an important component of food safety.
At any stage, the stress factor for the animal (including slaughter vehicles, methods of slaughter, etc.)

ultimately determines the quality of the meat.

Adherence to primary meat processing standards is one of the key stages of food safety management.

For this, it is important to have the proper infrastructure - slaughterhouses.

Animals for sale must be slaughtered at slaughter, only pigs, sheep, poultry (not cattle) can be slaughtered for their own use on the farm.
There are about 100 animal slaughterhouses throughout Georgia, which are gradually implementing a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP).

For example: In Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti region there are 9 slaughterhouses, In Imereti – 12 for cattle and 2 for chicken, In Racha-Lechkhumi region there are 3 slaughterhouses.

81 In order to safeguard consumer interests and ensure safe meat, it is important to control the entire production chain - from farm to table.
In order for meat and meat products placed on the consumers market to be safe, animal and poultry slaughterhouses must comply with the legislation and maximally maintain sanitary and hygienic status.

Animal slaughter houses must be away from settlements, communal and industrial buildings.

For construction, a dry, slightly sloping area should be selected for draining rainwater.
When selecting the plot, infrastructure (roads) and communications (electricity, water supply, and sewage) must be taken into account.

The main prerequisite for finding traceable and harmless meat in the consumer market is slaughter with the supervision of a state veterinarian.
National Food Agency (NFA) under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture controls the whole process and according to them, the number of animals slaughtered by veterinary supervision is increased every year.38 3.11.

Areas of Historic Contamination with Arsenic Waste Historic pollution with accumulated arsenic waste39 in Tsana village (Lentekhi Municipality) and in Village Uravi (Ambrolauri Municipality) is still to be addressed.
These are the locations with the deposits of arsenic containing waste from the operation of an arsenic extraction and enrichment facilities.

During 1933-1944, 2 arsenic and one chemical factory were functioning in the village Uravi and the areas surrounding it.

Arsenic was extracted from north of Uravi in subalpine and alpine Kadjiani deposits.

Over the years arsenic extraction places have been covered by industrial wastes and ruins of old buildings.
This whole area is contaminated with arsenic and its ash.

In order to solve the problem Government of Georgia with the help of Government of Netherlands co- financed the project “Arsenic Containing Mining waste in Georgia” and developed the action plan for existed hazardous wastes safe disposal.

In addition, it is planned to build 2 sarcophaguses for arsenic containing waste (Uravi 1 and Uravi 3) and for Soil and inert waste contaminated with Arsenic also 2 sarcophaguses (Uravi 1,3,4).
In Lentekhi, in the gorge of the river Tskenistskali 3 sites of waste disposal are identified: (i) The first (Tsana 1) is located 5 km away from the village Mele (Dzugareshi); (ii) the second site (Tsana 2) is 0.5 km away from the first site (here wastes are abandoned in metal barrels under the open air, which partly is covered with shrubs and soil); and (ii) the third site (Tsana 3) 20 km away from Tsana 1 site (near Koruldashi) next to origins of river Tskenistskali.
Extreme hydro-meteorological event on 27.09.2013 caused flooding of Tskhenistskali River and the change of the riverbed, which in its turn caused damage to the former metallurgical plant’s dam in Lentekhi and subsequent leakage of arsenic waste material stored in steel barrels on the site (Tsana 1).

As a result, 8-10 pieces of damaged arsenic containing barrels fell into the river and created danger of water pollution.
Additional provisional resistance dam was built and the river Tskhenistskali was returned to its natural riverbed in order to avoid additional risks in case of extreme weather events.

Furthermore, bank fortification works have been planned alongside the mentioned river 38 Personal communication with the Marika Bokuchava, Veterinary expert, 25.10.2019 39Inventory and Assessment of Hazardous Waste Hotspots in Georgia: Prioritization of Risks and Actions.

82 area.
82 area.

The situation for the moment is stabilized and laboratory tests confirmed that concentration of harmful substances in both the river and reservoirs did not exceed the permissible limit.

Nevertheless, the risk of pollution of the Tskhenistskali and Rioni rivers, which are part of the Black Sea basin, as well as the drinking water supply, remains rather high.

3.12.
3.12.

Energy Sector Main directions of the state energy policy approved by Georgian parliament set two key directions among others: • Diversification of energy provision through diversification of sources of provision of oil, electricity, and natural gas and effective utilization of local energy sources; • Utilization of renewables for addressing Climate Change and provision of clean energy.40 Electricity consumption is growing faster than generation in Georgia.
Consumption has grown at a 5% CAGR over the past six years to 12.6 TWh in 2018, while generation increased at a 3.8% CAGR to 12.1 TWh.

The hike in electricity demand has resulted in higher net imports, which grew 13% y-o-y in 2018 to 0.9 TWh.
Lack of water resources decreased generation to 6.2 TWh in 1H 2019, down by 2.1% y-o-y, leading to increased net imports of 0.4 TWh, up by 185% in the same period.41 The hydro resources of Georgia are not equally distributed – 72% of them are located in western Georgia and 28% in Eastern Georgia.

The key rivers having hydro energy importance are Enguri, Rioni and Mtkvari.
Majority of the existing hydro power plants (HPP) are located in these river basins.42 Methodology of calculation of ecological flow has not been approved by Government of Georgia yet, the general practices are to calculate 10% of water discharge as ecological flow.

Main arteries of water in Imereti region are the river Rioni and the river Kvirila.
There are 5 Hydro Power Plants currently in the region: Rionhesi, Gumathesi, Vartsikhehesi, Dzevrulhesi and Shaorihesi, generating 1400-1500 million kwh annually43.

According to the deputy-mayor of Sachkhere municipality, a study has been carried out on potential of wind energy development in Sachkhere municipality.

Organization of 7 wind farms is planned on the territory of Korbouli village.

The project is being implemented by “Unlimited Energy” Ltd.
The land for the project has been privatized by the company.44In Racha-Lechkhumi Lower Svaneti region there are two reservoirs: Shaori reservoir with the 90 million m3 (among them useful 87 million m3) regulating seasonal water flow for Shaori HPP, and Lajanuri reservoir with water volume of 20 million m3 (useful 17 million m3), providing water to Lajanuri HPP.45 The majority of energy of Georgia is generated in the Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region.
Svaneti has become important region for development 40 Resolution of Georgian parliament N3758-IIს on approval of the main directions of the state energy policy, June 24, 2015 41 Energy sector overview – charging forward, TBC Capital, July 2019 42Energy Sector development strategy of Georgia 2016-2025 – electricity; (DRAFT) 43Decree of Georgian government N1287 on approval of a regional development strategy for Imereti region, 2016-2021, 01 July 2016 44Personal communication with the deputy-Mayor of Sachkhere municipality, Mr. Otar Omiadze, 19.06.2019 45Decree of Georgian government N1374 on approval of a regional development strategy for Racha-Lechkhumi Lower Svaneti region, 2014-2021, 19 September 2013 83 of hydro energy.
According to the Ministry of Economy, there are several MoUs signed on construction of HPPs in Svaneti.46 All three project regions are fully provided with electricity.

The Natural Gas sector is one of the dynamically developing sectors, especially along with the gasification process in country.

Almost 100% of demand on natural gas is met with the imported resources, only 0.5% is provided from local resources.
In 2016 the use of natural gas was as follows: households 39%, commercial use - 38%, thermal power stations- 23%.47 The data on gasification and gas provision in the GRETA target municipalities is provided in table below.
Table 10 -Gasification and gas consumption in the GRETA target municipalities (as per 2016)48 Municipality Households Supplied with Gas Chiatura Sachkhere Tkibuli Ambrolauri Oni Lentekhi Tsageri Mestia 6,092 17,451 904 742 - - - - N of consumer households of Natural Gas 30-50 <30 1,009 2,252 1,733 8,305 90 430 42 427 - - - - - - - - >50 1,531 3,116 161 73 - - - - Georgia’s energy strategy (draft) provides general information on other energy sources in Georgia49: • Georgia has a significant potential of wind energy.
High mountainous regions, southern Georgia and southern part of the Black Sea region are the most favourable areas.

The total duration of workable wind speed varies from 1400 to 7100 hours annually.

However, the wind potential has not been fully used.

• Due to the geographic location, there is quite high and effective radiation in Georgia.

In most of the regions of the country total duration of sunlight equals to 1900-2200 hours annually (10-15% in winter, 30-35% in summer).
• Biomass is a key energy source in Georgia, especially considering the forest coverage.

33% of forests are of medium age, while 35% are old forests.

About 44% of forests are located on 30° and above slopes, which created difficulties to cut trees.

It has to be emphasized that only 15-20% of total annual increment can be utilized for energy purposes.

Based on some assumptions, energy potential of Georgian forests amounts 0.8 billion kWh.
46Decree of Georgian government N1372 on approval of a regional development strategy for Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region, 2014-2021.18 September 2013 47Energy Sector development strategy of Georgia 2017-2026 – Natural gas; (DRAFT) 48 CENN “Assessment of firewood consumption and firewood production in Georgia” ADC/ENPI East FLEG II, 2016 49Energy Sector development strategy of Georgia 2016-2025 – electricity; (DRAFT) 84 In order to obtain detailed information on energy potential (including in target municipalities) additional studies are necessary.
In 2016 a survey related to firewood consumption and firewood production in Georgia has been carried out.

The survey provides overall picture on energy consumption in Georgia.

According to the survey, firewood is the main source of heating in Georgia - its share as a fuel source ranges from 75-96% by region.

The amount of firewood legally provided to the population of Georgia has decreased to a critical point.
Presently, the National Forestry Agency (following the NFA) allocates approximately 600,000 m firewood annually.

3 of The project aimed at defining the need of heating sources in Georgia, and the share of firewood in total energy consumption.

For this, one of the key objectives of the survey was to determine the number of wintering households, especially taking into consideration internal migration patterns from rural to urban areas during the winter period.
For this, the data on electricity consumption from the energy-companies was used: based on information from energy distribution companies, a total of 832,052 households were registered as energy consumers.

However, the number of households consuming over 3 GEL per month of electricity (wintering households) was only 577,695.

This number includes households consuming firewood as a source for heating, as well as households using gas and nutshell for heating.
The number of wintering households in target municipalities of GRETA project was as follows (for 2016): - Imereti: Chiatura – 13,429; Tkibuli -9,455; Sachkhere – 10,894; - Mestia – 682 (all registered households consumed electricity for heating); - Racha-Lechkhumi-Lower Svaneti: Ambrolauri – 4,952; Oni – 2,479; Tsageri-Lentekhi – 5,565;50 In order to calculate current data on energy need, the detailed survey of target municipalities has to take place.
The National Forestry Agency provided the data on the provision of local municipalities with firewood: Table 11 - Firewood Provision in target municipalities: N Municipality Chiatura Sachkhere Tkibuli Ambrolauri Oni Tsageri Lentekhi Mestia households (m3) Budgetary organizations (m3) CENN “Assessment of firewood consumption and firewood production in Georgia” ADC/ENPI East FLEG II, 2016 85 4.
DRR and Climate Change 4.1.

Geology and DRR The territory of Chiatura municipality includes the Upper Imereti plateau and its north-western part called Chiatura Structural Plateau located at 600-700m.a.s.l.

Plateau is constructed by slightly dislocated mezzo- Cenozoic sedimentary rocks, embedded limestones, carbonate mergels, manganese-containing sandstones, limestone sandstones and inter-layers of manganese.
The volcanic basaltic lacolite-extrusion of Quaternary age also forms cone hills within the plateau.

Among the micro formations of the plateau karst forms should be mentioned - the caves, Sinkholes, Polie (villages: Mgvimevi, Darkveti, Nigozeti, Sveri, MAndaeti, Gundaeti, Shukruti et.

al), different size landslide forms, often distinctly circled (in the village of Makhaturi Area), which is covered by Miocenic 20-25mm and 3-4km long limestones.
The geomorphology and genesis of the 40 m high "Katskhi Pillar" should be emphasized, with two churches built in V-VI centuries on the flat surface of the pillar.

Katskhi column is the seismic-tectonic block displaced in the tectonic fracture zone of the "RganiZegani”, which is then processed by denudation.

The surface of the Chiatura Plateau Relief is especially modified by the technological processes of mountain-processing quarries.
Due to this, more than 70% of landslide- gravitational processes and debris flow originated in the transformed area of the plateau are associated with anthropogenic factors.

The risks to the population and infrastructure in the Chiatura municipality are related to landslide- gravitational phenomena, rockfall, rock avalanche, river bank erosion, flooding, and technogenic debris/mudflow events, which are mainly related to human technological activities (especially, in the areas of mining-quarry processing).
In the information bulletins prepared by the Department of Geology of the National Environmental Agency, 43(70%) out of 61 settlements of Chiatura municipality are in the geological disaster zone - 11% in the high-risk zone, and 15% in the medium risk zone.

The biggest threat to Chiatura is "Sashevardno rock” and its adjacent streets (Rustaveli Street and etc.
), where periodically the processes of the rockfall/rock avalanche have their negative consequences.51 Sachkhere municipality belongs to the central part of Upper Imereti Plateau and includes upper and middle territories of the riv.

Kvirila and the riv.

Dzirula basins, with very moderately mild climate and vegetation of deciduous forest and secondary meadows.

The relief is quite noticeable plateau, which is fragmented by the rivers Kvirila and Dzirulavalley and their tributaries.
The relief of this part of the Imereti Plateau by its geological aggression is influenced by the tectonic structure and relieving exogenous processes, and is characterized by vale-terraced and mountain-raising and complicated by landslide events that characterize the low-middle mountain zone in the ridge of the Racha Ridge.
Territory is constructed by Neogene marine molasse (clays, sandstones, conglomerates, limestone sandstones), the 51 Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Gaprindashvili G., et.
al - Informational bulletin: Condition of development of geological processes in Georgia, results of activation and danger of risk- summarizing geological report (Imereti Region, Chiatura Municipality), Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, National Environmental Agency, Department of Geology, Tbilisi (2011-2019); 86 Oligocene-lower Miocene (carbonate and gypsum clays, conglomerates layers, Quarz-arcozics and stones), Upper Jurassic Laguna continental facies (gypsum clays, argillites, sandstones, breccia conglomerates, limestone dolomites stacks), middle Jurasic igneous suite and Palaeozoic crystalline bedrocks.
Within the municipality there are also cones hill of the volcanic origin.

Upper part of riv.

Kvirila is produced in the substrate of the lower Cretaceous carbonate sediments.

All these sediments are very complicated with tectonic faults and are characterized by distinguishing characteristics of one of the denunciations-erosion processes.

Depression zone of riv.

Kvirila is filled with strong alluvial sediments of the Quaternary age.
Sachkhere municipality is characterized with multi-spectral natural geodynamic processes, but the population and infrastructure facilities can pose a particularly dangerous with respect to the different processing landslides and river bank erosion and related floods, partly constantly updated gravitational rock-falls and small-scale debris flow processes.
Periodical blow up of such processes not only cause the huge economic losses, but sometimes people (sometimes whole villages) are forced to move to a new place of residence.

According to the information bulletins developed by the National Environment Agency, 75% of Sachkhere populated areas are in the hazard zone, 11% in high and 35% in average hazard zones.52 Tkibuli municipality is located at the foothills of the north of Imereti.
Geomorphologically predominantly occupies the hill zone of the inner Okriba ridge, whose geological structure dominates the Baiose porphyrician structure, built on the density-gravitational processes of the various rocks that form high- steep and rocky shapes.

More gentle relief characterizes the magmatic teshenite rocks (so-called 'Kursebi Teshenite”) that are widely distributed in the village Kursebi and adjacent territories.
The turbulent space is distinguished by the mild morphology and landslide shapes of the terrain, built by middle Jurassic Batian lacustrine sediments, presented with grauvakian sandstones, clay-shales, argilites, clays, tuffs, sandy limestone, conglomerates and the layers of coal layers.

Akhalsopheli Karst relief is located in the southern part of the Tkibuli, which is a tectonic relief – “Polie”.

Currently Tkibuli reservoir is located in this area.
The interior of the inner square is surrounded by the carbonate sediments of the Jurassic and the Cretaceous suite.

Nakerala asymmetric ridge, with a high voltage rocky skull that is complicated by the large volume and tecto-seismogravitational landslides (DzirovanaTkibuli, Tavshavi – right part of riv.

Lekhidariet.al).

By the risk to the population and infrastructure objects of Geological Hazards Tkibuli Municipality is in average risk area.
Geological disasters dominantly are threats from landslides, which are developed in hilly-hillock zone, built by middle and surface laguna formation sediments, disposed to landslide-prone- erosion processes.

The surrounding volcanogenic carbonate rocks built on a slope, the terrain surfaces, are complicated with constantly updated gravitational processes and rock-avalanche.
According to the information provided by the National Environmental Agency, 33 settlements and their infrastructure are in the geological disaster hazard (70%).

Out of these 3 (6%) are in high and 11 (23%) in average risk.

All 52Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Gaprindashvili G., et.
al - Informational bulletin: Condition of development of geological processes in Georgia, results of activation and danger of risk- summarizing geological report (Imereti Region, Sachkhere Municipality), Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, National Environmental Agency, Department of Geology, Tbilisi (2011-2019); 87 these indicate that despite the fact that the dynamic regime of landslide processes has occurred in individual years, the whole municipality remains in the medium risk zone of the geological disaster.53 Ambrolauri Municipality occupies territories in middle part of the Rioni Basin.
The area is characterized by very tense tectonic conditions.

The tectonic movements, which are still going on, have laid down the seismicity of the territories.

The epicentre of the earthquake in the region is located within the study area.

Earthquakes facilitate the development of dangerous geodynamic processes in the study area.
It is a temporary contributing factor for large and small size landslides and rock fall/rock avalanches.54 Ambrolauri municipality is a high geodynamic potential that is due to: large inclination of slopes (25-400 and sometimes more), with frequency of river network, with a large depth of erosive intersection, 5-20 m and sometimes more quaternary sediments.

This leads to the frequency of the development of dangerous geological processes and their scope.
Nearly all of the dangerous geological processes characterized by mountain regions are characterized by more or less spread in the territory of Ambrolauri municipality, including the highest damage: landslides, debris/mudflows, rocks and erosive processes.

According to the data of 2018 totally 69% of settlements of Ambrolauri municipality are located in the risk zone of the geological disaster out of which 11 (16%) are in a high risk, and 25 (36%) in average risk zone55.
The relief of Oni municipality is mountainous and is characterized by great diversity.

The southern slopes of the Caucasus Range and the Lechkhumi Range belong to the mountainous alpine and subalpine landscape and the elevated parts of the Racha Range are subalpine landscapes.

Hypsometricaly low area occupies the riv.

Rioni and its tributaries.


The northern mountainous area of the area is characterized by glacial-nival and erosive-glacial relief, which is strongly fragmented, with a depth of erosive intrusion exceeding 1000 m, inclination of slopes 40-600.

Absolute height of the main ridge of the Caucasus and Shoda-Kedela reaches 3500-4000.

The northern part of the region includes erosional - denudational relief of high mountainous and deep gorges on the substrate of the Jurassic system sediments.
Denudational relief of medium mountain range with predominant development of erosive and landslide processes is common in the central and southern part of the region.

It represents the immediate orientation of the Racha-Lechkhumi syncline depression.

This type of relief is developed on the Carbonate rock substrate of upper Jurassic, Cretaceous and Tertiary age.

In the region there is a wide range of reliefs and modern active landslides.

This kind of relief is developed on the riv.


Rioni, Jejora and their tributaries.

53Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Gaprindashvili G., et.
al - Informational bulletin: Condition of development of geological processes in Georgia, results of activation and danger of risk- summarizing geological report (Imereti Region, Tkibuli Municipality), Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, National Environmental Agency, Department of Geology, Tbilisi (2011-2019); 54Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Kurtsikidze O., Gaprindashvili G., - Geological Report envisaged by the Project on “Development of climate resilient flood and flash flood and geological disaster management practices for Rioni river basin” (Ambrolauri municipality), Adaptation Fund, UNDP, 2014; 55Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Gaprindashvili G., et.
al - Informational bulletin: Condition of development of geological processes in Georgia, results of activation and danger of risk- summarizing geological report (Racha-Lechkhum-Lower Svaneti Region, Ambrolauri Municipality), Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, National Environmental Agency, Department of Geology, Tbilisi (2011-2019); 88 The central and southern part of the area, which belongs to the median zone, is characterized by vertical erosive divisions within the range of 300-600 m. Slope inclinations are 30-450.
The relief of the medium- sized part together with erosive processes carries the trace of karst processes.

Karst relief developed on the substrate of the carbonate rocks of the Cretaceous and Tertiary age.

In the area of carbonate sediments spread in the region tertiary age, karst formations are formed in the form of caves and karst sinkholes.
The karstic formations developed on the carbonate substrate of the lower Cretaceous age range are extensive in the extreme east part of the northern slope of the Racha Ridge.56 Upper Racha - Oni municipality relief is a high geodynamic potential that is responsible for: with the steep slopes (30-450) and sometimes even with hydrographic network frequency; With a large depth of erosive intrusion, high sensitivity to rocks, geological processes and climatic-meteorological factors, with large capacity of quaternary sediments (8-25 m) and others.
This leads to the development of large scale dangerous geological processes.

Natural disasters that threaten the population, destroy agricultural land, infrastructural facilities need particular attention in the municipality, such as landslides and gravitational processes (rockfalls, rock avalanches), mudflows, water erosion, flash floods, floods and snow avalanches.

The economic damage caused by periodic activation of these processes is colossal, and the most commonly human fatalities.
During the 20th century, several villages were destroyed as a result of periodic activation of natural disasters and more than 100 people were killed.

According to the data of 2018, 71% of Oni municipality settlements are in the risk zone of the geological disaster, 16 (25%) in High risk zones and 22 (34%) in average risk zone.57 Lentekhi municipality is located on the southern slopes of the Caucasus Range and is one of the highest mountain regions in Georgia.
The region is bordered by Lechkhumi Ridge, Egrisi ridge in the southwest, Kodori Ridge to the west and the main watershed of the Caucasus in the north.

The main hydrographic unit of Lentekhi municipality is riv.

Tskhenistskali.

In Lentekhi, it joins the riv.

Kheledula and Laskadura, after which the river Tskhenistskali comes from Lower Svaneti.
Then it is known by the name of the Rtskhmeluri Gorge, which connects the Lower Svaneti and Tsageri villages, it has a submeraldic direction and continues from Lentekhi to Tsageri around 16km.

The Lentekhi municipality is bounded by Svaneti and Lechkhumi ridges and includes zones from highland to mountainous Alpine-Nival, its relief is characterized by typical mountain-gorges, intensely fragmented by riv.
Tskhenistskali tributaries, deeply cut narrow gorges, the upper part of which is typical glacier look and their lower part is troge-erosion.

Riv.
Tskhenistskali Basin and its tributaries have been developed in intensely stratified and tectonically high lower Jurassic shale suite, Middle Jurassic volcanogenic and 56 Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Kurtsikidze O., Gaprindashvili G., - Geological Report envisaged by the Project on “Development of climate resilient flood and flash flood and geological disaster management practices for Rioni river basin” (Oni municipality), Adaptation Fund, UNDP, 2014; 57Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Gaprindashvili G., et.
al - Informational bulletin: Condition of development of geological processes in Georgia, results of activation and danger of risk- summarizing geological report (Imereti Region, Oni municipality Municipality), Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, National Environmental Agency, Department of Geology, Tbilisi (2011-2019); 89 Cretaceous carbotanic rocks, which are strongly different from their firmness, resistance to erosion- denudation and gravitational processes.58 In Lentekhi municipality Almost, all of the dangerous geological processes are distributed: erosive, landslide, rock avalanche and Debris/mudflows.
Dangerous geological processes in the region, the areas of their distribution, character and dynamic peculiarities in itself coincide with certain geological- geomorphological conditions.

In addition to the natural conditions, which determine the development of dangerous geological processes, anthropogenic factors are becoming increasingly important: civil and industrial construction, exploitation of forests and others.
The main factor in the creation and activation of processes is the dominance of high-sensitivity rocks with high sensitivity, high energy potential of relief, strong pressing of climatic and time-consuming climatic factors, human activities and earthquakes.
According to the Informational Bulletin developed by Department of Geology of the National Environmental Agency, out of 60 settlements, 48 settlements (69%) are in geological hazard risk zone, from here 16% is in high-risk zone and 36% is in medium hazard risk zone.59 Tsageri municipality is located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus.

The western boundary of the municipality runs along the eastern slopes of the Askhi massive, southern border – riv.
Rioni Gorge, East - Villages Sairme, KvedaChkvishi, Tabori and Gendushi on the watershed ridge, and the northern border in the lower slope of the Lechkhumi ridge.

The complex geological structure and tectonics, climate, and human economic activity create the Lechkhumi terrain and the geomorphological peculiarities.
Based on the tectonic regime, geological structure of the rocks of the lithological and structural characteristics and denudation processes, the following have been geological and geomorphological areas and terrain types: Letchkhumi ridge high and medium terrain type, developed in the middle Jurassic Porphyritic sediments, Erosive-Karst medium mountain relief of Askhi and Khvamli massifs developed Limestone substrates of Cretaceous and upper Jurassic age; Erosive-Accumulative relief of Zubi-Okureshi district; Racha-Lechkhumi Syncline area, with erosive-accumulative relief developed on Tertiary age substrate.
Tsageri municipality is one of the first in the country due to the loss of natural geological processes and the damage inflicted for infrastructural objects.

Here are the following dangerous geological processes developed: landslides, debris/mudflows, rockfalls, rock avalanches, river bank erosion, karst and Suffosion processes60.
58Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Kurtsikidze O., Gaprindashvili G., - Geological Report envisaged by the Project on “Development of climate resilient flood and flash flood and geological disaster management practices for Rioni river basin” (Lentekhi municipality), Adaptation Fund, UNDP, 2014; 59Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Gaprindashvili G., et.
al - Informational bulletin: Condition of development of geological processes in Georgia, results of activation and danger of risk- summarizing geological report (Racha-Lechkhumi-Lower Svaneti Region, Lentekhi Municipality), Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, National Environmental Agency, Department of Geology, Tbilisi (2011-2019); 60Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Kurtsikidze O., Gaprindashvili G., - Geological Report envisaged by the Project on “Development of climate resilient flood and flash flood and geological disaster management practices for Rioni river basin” (Tsageri municipality), Adaptation Fund, UNDP, 2014; 90 The development and activation of natural geological processes in Tsageri municipality has always been in the historical period.
During the observation period, 8-12 years cycle of extreme activation of processes is observed.

The frequency of activation of processes has been violated and their extreme exposure is almost every year.

One of the main reasons for this is the anthropogenic impact on the geological environment alongside the relief complexity, geological structures and climatic peculiarities.
According to the data of 2018, 92% of the settlements of Tsageri municipality are under geological disaster risk zone, out of which 24 (41%) are in a high-risk zone and 21 (36%) in average risk zone61.

Mestia municipality geographically occupies the highest mountain range of Central Caucasus.

It is located in the Upper Enguri Basin.

Almost entire territory (96%) is situated higher than 1000 m above sea level.
The altitude of the 65.8% of Mestia municipality’s territory is more than 2000 m above sea level.

Mestia municipality is outstanding among Georgian regions in terms of geological processes.

This is determined by the riv.


Enguri watershed basin - a strong fragmented relief with a complex geological structure, climatic-meteorological conditions and the growing magnitude of anthropogenic impact on the geological environment.62 The territory of Mestia municipality is characterized with high risk of natural disasters.
The most dangerous types of disasters are the debris/mudflows and associated flash floods, landslides and snow avalanches, which can create an emergency situation in every period of the year.

As for the rock avalanches and rock falls, more than 60% of the entire territory, including motor roads, is in hazard risk zones.

65% of all settlements are located in the geological hazard zones.

Among them 49%63 are located at medium and high-risk zones.
Mestia municipality is an area of frequent extreme activation of natural geological processes, accompanied by destruction / damage of infrastructural facilities, degradation and destruction of agricultural lands, human fatalities and large number of eco-migrants.

Over the last decade of the 20th century, activation of background disaster processes was observed almost every year.

Extreme trends of landslide-debris/mudflows and snow avalanches are associated with climatic events.
The population and infrastructure of Mestia Municipality are constantly experiencing periodic geological disasters, including debris/mudflows and associated flash floods and inundation, landslides and snow 61Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Gaprindashvili G., et.
al - Informational bulletin: Condition of development of geological processes in Georgia, results of activation and danger of risk- summarizing geological report (Racha-Lechkhumi-Lower Svaneti Region, Tsageri Municipality), Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, National Environmental Agency, Department of Geology, Tbilisi (2011-2019); 62 National Environmental Agency - Geological Reports about Landslide, Debris/mudflow, rockfall hazard assessment in Mestia Municipality (2015), Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection, National Environmental Agency, Department of Geology, SDC, Tbilisi, 2015 63 Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Gaprindashvili G., et.
al - Informational bulletin: Condition of development of geological processes in Georgia, results of activation and danger of risk- summarizing geological report (Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti Region, Mestia Municipality), Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, National Environmental Agency, Department of Geology, Tbilisi (2011-2019); 91 avalanches linked also with global climate change.

To mitigate the negative consequences caused by them it is necessary to enhance geological monitoring.
The following settlements are under the risk of geological hazards: Chvabiani, Tsaldasho, Zhabeshi, Upper Luha, Doli, Ieli, Latali, Mulakhi, Becho, Etseri, where the following types of prophylactic measures can be done - strengthening the coastline with gabions, boulders, surface water regulation, arrangement of drainage channels, construction of slope protective walls, phyto-melioration fastening with deep-fruiting system.
The “ShaviGhele” area on Zugdidi-Mestia road is permanently deformed by landslide/debris flow processes.

It is a deep and complex tectoseismogenic landslide and application of fundamental measures on it do not give a substantial results/outcome.

Therefore, it is needed to find alternatives at this location (e.g.

bridge, tunnel).
bridge, tunnel).

There are periodic hazards of mudflow processes in: Mestia, Lakhamula, Zhabeshi, Chvabiani, Cholashi, Zhamushi, Ieli, Marghi, Nakra, Latali, Mulakhi, Adishi, Lenjeri, Becho, Pari, Tsanashi, Ushkhvanari etc.

The following measures are usually planned in such cases: cleaning and deepening gorges in some locations, arranging coastal protective measures, arrangement mudflow conductor, construction of bare berths and more.

92 4.2.
92 4.2.

Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Measures Climate Change Impacts and Risks Organic agriculture and climate change.

Agricultural sector is closely associated with climate change.

The agricultural sector of Georgia, as the source of greenhouse gases, includes the following four subcategories: 1. animal enteric fermentation (including sheep breeding); 2. management of organic fertilizers (manure); 3. agricultural soils; and 4. field burning of agricultural residues.
In 2013 emissions from agriculture amounted to 2.732 Gg CO2 equivalent, accounting for 16% of national GHG country emissions64.

GHG emissions from the subcategory of enteric fermentation (livestock breeding, including sheep breeding) accounted for 49% GHG emissions from the agricultural sector, while GHG emissions from the subcategory of agricultural soils – about 40%.
Organic agriculture has a potential to reduce emission of GHG from this sector, increase carbon storage capacity of soils and reduce the area of degraded soils.65 Current and expected impacts of climate change on the agricultural sector in Georgia are shown mainly as: • Change of the vegetation periods of plants; • Shifting of Agri-climatic zones; • The necessity of the introduction of climate change resilient species and the reduction of productivity of current crops (due to increased droughts, strong winds, irregular precipitation, hail, heat waves and evapotranspiration); Increased areas of irrigated lands and increased demand on irrigation water; • • Decreased productivity of agricultural lands and increased degradation of soils, which often are accelerated by extreme climate events (drought or abundant and intensive rainfall) occurring due to climate change and associated natural disasters (landslides, mudflows, floods, flash floods, erosion etc.
); Increased impact of pests and diseases on agricultural productivity (e.g.

brown marmorated stink bug); Increased harvest losses due to frequent extreme climate events (hail, frost, etc.).

• • Expected impact of climate change on beekeeping is still being debated, especially among researchers.

Although there are a number of key challenges to be faced by beekeepers as a result of climate change.

Beekeepers relocate their traditional beehives to different climate zones on a seasonal basis.
However, current and expected climate change, namely, earlier onset of spring and reduced flowering season, may complicate sustainable beekeeping management.

As a result of frequent extreme climate events, considerable portion of bee families may be lost.
64Georgia’s Third National Communication to the UNFCCC, 2015 65 Organic Farming and Climate Change, 2008 93 Sustainable development of mountain tourism and climate change: According to the Third National Communication of Georgia to UNFCCC, due to global warming tourism climate conditions have been changed in the three regions of Georgia (Adjara, Kakheti, Upper Svaneti).

The assessment has been carried out using Tourism Climate Index (TCI).
TCI and its change have been studied based on the analysis of the data of Mestia meteorological station.

TCI values were calculated for the period of 1961-2010.

Only summer tourism has been evaluated, since TCI parameters are not sufficient for the evaluation of winter tourism climate conditions.
TCI calculation demonstrated that in so called “middle zone” of Upper Svaneti June, July, August and September had “very good” TCI values, May – “good”, April and October had “pleasant”, March and November – “marginal”, while winter months December, January and February – “unfavourable”.

For the assessment of ski tourism climate conditions different indices and parameters shall be used.
Table below provides information on impacts of Climate Change on project activities: Table 12 -Impact of climate change on project activities Ecotourism Organic agriculture Climate change parameter Extreme air temperatures Abundant precipitation Mean air temperature Mean precipitation Winds Drought Air humidity Atmospheric pressure Hail Thunderstorm Soil humidity Note: red – high, orange – medium, yellow – low, green – no impact Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Measures Mountain tourism The assessment of the impact of climate change on mountain tourism and planning relevant measures are especially important for the regions with tourist-recreational potential.
Among target municipalities, Oni and Mestia municipalities are distinguished for high vulnerability to climate change, while other municipalities are characterized by low vulnerability66.

66 The Georgian Road Map on Climate Change Adaptation, developed by National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG) with the financial assistance of USAID 94 Vulnerability of mountain tourism to climate parameters has been assessed.
Specifically, according to „Assessment of climate response in Georgia to global warming”67 the sector has been identified as highly vulnerable to extreme air temperatures (strong frosts and heats), abundant precipitation and associated floods and mudflows (damage of relevant infrastructure), as well as snow cover, the parameters of which play an important role in operation of ski resorts.
The sector is characterized by medium vulnerability to mean air temperatures and precipitation, air humidity and pressure (impact on health), wind, cloudiness, droughts, while by low vulnerability – to hail and thunderstorm.

The sector is resilient only to soil humidity; however, this factor also affects provision of tourists and visitors with local agricultural products.
The Georgian Road Map on Climate Change Adaptation, developed by National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG) with the financial assistance of USAID describes different levels of vulnerability of tourism activity to climate change in various municipalities of Georgia.
According to the report, in our case, only two municipalities – Oni and Mestia among the municipalities of selected three regions are distinguished for high vulnerability to climate change; other municipalities are characterized by the low level of vulnerability.
Within the framework of the Georgia’s Third National Communication to the UNFCCC, Upper Svaneti Adaptation Strategy has been prepared, which considers the implementation of the following measures in support of mountain tourism: • Local weather forecast services should be established, which will have the potential to provide information on a timely manner and ensure the safety of tourists.
Local meteorological service should have information about risks which are associated with winter tourism (e.g., on snow cover, anticipated avalanches, increasing temperature and humidity, etc.

); • Climate Change induced risks on touristic routes, must be examined to the maximum extent; • Local knowledge and experience should be considered in the risk assessment process; • Safety rules for the movement on the tourist routes must be developed.
They should be available for tourists upon arrival in hotels and tourist service centres; • Establishment of the special medical service and equipping it with the modern equipment in order to enable its prompt arrival to the scene of accident and provision of the assistance if required; • Protection of historical monuments which are attractive for tourists from the negative impact of climate change and preservation of local identity.
The Table below contains main actions and indicators ensuring sustainable development of mountain tourism on the background of climate change: 67B.
Beritashvili, N. Kapanadze, I. Chogovadze; Tbilisi, 2010 95 Table 13 - Climate change adaptation measures and performance indicators for mountain tourism Key actions ensuring sustainable development of mountain tourism on the background of climate change Establishing the monitoring network and effective early warning system (through modification of the existing ones) Implementation of systematic preventive measures in geological hazard prone areas that threaten infrastructure and tourist facilities Effective response to natural processes Training national experts (monument protection specialists and restorers) in modern methods of assessing the vulnerability of monuments to climate change and their adaptation, which should be considered during the restoration.
Permanent monitoring of climate change and its negative impact on tourism and implementation of studies with involvement of different scientific sectors (climatology, biogeography, hydrology, geomorphology, tourism geography).

Consideration and supporting alternative forms of mountain tourism in the process of tourism sector development and planning.
Indicators Early warning systems are established for the population residing in the high-risk areas and major infrastructural facilities (mainly on roads) located in the hazard prone areas Preventive measures are implemented on a regular basis: the population (local authorities and communities) is provided with information on expected hazards and recommendations on preventive measures in a timely manner; geological monitoring studies are being implemented.
– Adequately equipped rescue teams staffed with professionals are established in the regions (one in each) and provided with regular trainings; – Volunteers, as a reserve force in the activities directed at the elimination and minimization of the impact of natural disasters are organized.

Training module is developed and training for the relevant personnel is carried out.
– Climate observation systems are restored in the regions; – Applied researches are supported; – The experience of developed countries is taken into account.

– The international experience, including the experience of the Alpine region is taken into account; – Action plan is developed.

96 Organic Agriculture The Georgian Road Map on Climate Change Adaptation68 describes the impact of climate change on agricultural crops considering moisture change by municipalities for the period of 2071-2100.
An aggregated index of moisture change impact has been calculated taking into account the sensitivity index and two exposition indicators –– temperature increase in summer months and precipitation change in the same period.

Temperature increase is found by comparing the absolute temperature increment of summer months with the average perennial temperature value of summer months of the relative baseline period.
Hence, even where the absolute temperature increment is the same, the temperature increase impact for each region and municipality will be different.

The precipitation change indicator is defined as the ratio of moisture change resulting from the precipitation change against the rate of water to be applied to the agricultural crop during vegetation period during the baseline period.

The average value of climate change impact, considering the moisture change for Georgia will equal 3.94.
By selected region, the impact measurements are as follows: Imereti 3.74 (Sachkhere 4.81), Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti 2.69 (Mestia 1.70), Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti 3.8 (Ambrolauri 4.27, Lentekhi 2.54 and Oni 3.7).

Therefore, in those municipalities where the impact index exceeds 3.5, the water application rate should be increased to compensate for the precipitation variability.

In other municipalities, water shall be applied whenever needed.
Based on the above mentioned, the adaptation measures and performance indicators related to organic agriculture have been elaborated (see table below).
68National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG), 2016 97 Table 14 - Climate change adaptation measures and performance indicators for organic agriculture Action Development of hydrometeorological service and network for planning seasonal farming activities or improvement of agricultural insurance packages Study of the condition - inventory of soils under agricultural crops taking into account climate change Implementation of specific agrotechnical measures and programs for improvement of soil fertility Capacity development of agricultural extension services in climate change adaptation (including climate resilient crops) measures and modern climate-smart agricultural technologies (raised bed, mulching, using drip irrigation, no-till and mini-till technologies for the soil processing, using modern, climate resistant varieties, sustainable yield intensification etc.)
Indicators • Hydrometeorological service is developed; • Climate change forecasts are improved.

Soils are studied and their condition is determined.
Action plan of agrotechnical measures and programs is developed at the municipal level • The programs for regular retraining of the personnel of agricultural extension services are developed and implemented; • Physical infrastructure of these services is improved; • The process of personnel retraining is ensured Assessment of the impact of climate change on soil degradation (acidification or salination).
• Special studies are undertaken to determine changes in soil fertility; • Measures for improvement of soil fertility are developed.

Rehabilitation/maintenance of windbreaks to protect soils from erosion A document regulating the windbreaks-related issues is developed.
Modernization of amelioration systems • The area covered by amelioration services is expanded; • Water-air regime required for the growth and development of plants is established in • Provision of irrigation water is improved; excess water is removed from flooded and swamped territories; Designation of a structural unit to be responsible for climate change adaptation measures at the municipal level soils.
The structural unit shall ensure communication between national and local authorities on climate change related issues and contribute to the implementation of tasks specified by the Organic Law on the Bodies of Local Self-Governance in the field of agricultural development which will help local authorities in handling climate change induced problems and institutional development.

98 5.
98 5.

Assessment of Environmental Risks and Impacts of the Project Implementation The Environment Impact and Risk Associated with the development of sustainable mountain tourism in the Target Regions Ecotourism is driven by the need to sustain biodiversity, reduce poverty and generate income for communities in rural and remote areas.

However, the movement of people, capital, goods and services has the potential to cause different types of ecosystem changes.
Tourism, especially nature tourism, is closely linked to biodiversity and the attractions created by a rich and varied environment.

The quality of the environment, both natural and man-made, is essential to tourism.

However, tourism's relationship with the environment is complex and involves many activities that can have adverse environmental effects.
• Environmental impacts of tourism development in the target areas at the global level will contribute to: – Climate change: Tourism involves the movement of people from their actual locations to other destinations by air or road transport, which contributes to the increase of GHG concentrations in the atmosphere.

Passenger jets with international travellers are the growing source of greenhouse gas emissions.
– Emission of ODSs (Ozone Depleting Substances): In general, the direct impacts of tourism industry start with the construction of new infrastructure and continue during daily management and operations.

Considering the scales of the project, this impact will be insignificant.
• At the local level, the negative impacts of tourism are mainly related to increased pressure and consumption of natural resources: – Fresh water: The tourism industry generally overuses water resources for hotels, swimming pools, sports areas and personal use of water by tourists.

This can result in water shortages and degradation of water supplies, as well as generating a greater volume of waste water.
Although the issue of water scarcity is not of a particular concern in the target regions, this can contribute to the depletion of the fresh water resources and pollution of surface and ground waters with untreated waste waters.

In the locations where the water comes from wells, over pumping can cause saline intrusion into groundwater.

– Forest resources can suffer from the negative impacts of tourism in the form of deforestation caused by fuel wood collection.
High demand can be placed upon these resources to meet the expectations of tourists for proper heating, hot water, etc.

Ski resorts and infrastructure may also be a cause of deforestation.

A good mitigation measure is to make widespread use of solar thermal energy applications to cover the demand for hot water, heating etc.
Potential impact may also be caused on non-timber forest resources in case of unsustainable collection by locals and tourists; 99 – – Tourism can create great pressure on local resources like energy, food, and other raw materials that may already be in short supply.

Greater extraction and transport of these resources exacerbates physical impacts associated with their exploitation.

Increased pressure of land resources can cause (or facilitate) soil erosion.
Land degradation and change of landscapes: Increased construction of tourism and recreational facilities has increased pressure on local resources, ecosystem functionality and on scenic landscapes.

Direct impact on natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable, in the provision of tourist facilities can be caused by the use of land for accommodation and other infrastructure provision, and the use of building materials.
Local landscape, scenic view and authentic character of the villages may be impacted in case of changing traditional architecture and using of non-traditional construction materials.

Increased transportation and movement of people, adversely affects the local air quality and increases noise and vibration levels of the surrounding natural environment providing habitat for various wildlife species.
Loss or migration of biodiversity due to disturbance (noise, vibration, movement of people and transport, loss of habitat, hunting, poaching).

Loss of biodiversity is usually associated with excessive use of land resources, when impacts on vegetation, wildlife, mountain and water resources exceed their carrying capacity.

This loss of biodiversity in fact means loss of tourism potential.
– – – - - Introduction of invasive species: tourists and suppliers can bring in species (insects, wild and cultivated plants and diseases) that are not native to the local environment and that can cause disruption and even destruction of ecosystems.69 Increased demand for local dairy products can be associated with the increase of uncontrolled overgrazing of the pastures; or burning the pasture lands to increase productivity (despite the fact that this practice has adverse impacts on the soil and is prohibited by the law).
• The negative impacts of tourism related to Protected areas: – – Littering in the nature, inaccurately disposed waste and pollution around waste containers due to increased amount of waste generation; Increased number of visitors increases the risk of the forest fires, which can affect local biodiversity and destroy infrastructure.

Negative impacts of the forest fires are multiple starting from destruction of biodiversity, migration of wildlife.
Statistically, only 5% of forest fires are caused by natural processes, the greater majority of the – 95% are due to human negligence.

– Disturbance and migration of wildlife due to increased number of visitors and their movement in the habitats can happen if the group of tourists are not distributed in different touristic routes.
69 Official webpage of the “Sustainable tourism gateway” http://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/st-documents.html 100 • The negative impacts of tourism related to Waste generation and management: – The increase number of tourists (and their service providers) results in increase of amount of domestic waste produced in the region.

The issues related to waste management and minimization has to be considered for further planning by the local governments.
– Only a small part of the local population uses the environment friendly technologies and considers negative consequences of their activity on the environment.

There are no touristic business service providers in the target region currently using the standard of international system of ecological management recognized by the state (ISO14000).
– Most of the threats to the natural environment are related to the development of tourism infrastructure - construction of roads, guesthouses, and various buildings required for tourist services.

– – – The project may contribute to the increased construction of different kinds of hotels/guesthouses leads and increased amount of inert and construction waste.

According to the legislation, waste producer is responsible for the proper management of generated waste.
There is no officially allocated landfill for inert waste disposal.

This type of waste is often illegally disposed directly in environment or at the municipal landfill together with the other types of waste.

Increased number of tourists will generate more waste including hazardous waste such as: batteries removed from electric devices, cell phones, laptops, children’s toys, shaving equipment’s etc.

Unfortunately, this hazardous waste is disposed on landfills or in environment.
Chemicals inside batteries vary depending on type but include cadmium, mercury, lead, nickel, lithium etc.

As the battery exterior corrodes, those chemicals leach into the soil and make their way into our water supply.

There are cases when landfill fires are caused by batteries burning in the ground.

Increased tourism will boost quantity of luminescence lamps that currently are widely used instead of traditional light bulbs.
Luminescence lamps contain mercury; accidental breaking them and inhaling it can lead to health risks (such as inflammation of the lungs, kidney damage and other diseases).

When fluorescent lamp breaks the level of mercury vapor from it turns to liquid droplets that may stick to hard surface and can be easily inhaled.

When those bulbs are not properly recycled and end to landfills it can cause significant negative effects on environment and human health.
It is persistent environmental pollutant with bioaccumulation in ecosystems.

– Due to increased number of people, in areas with high concentrations of touristic activities, parks, forests, and cultural sites, proper waste disposal will be the very important.

In mountainous areas tourists often leave their garbage.

It should be ensured that there are sufficient number of waste collection containers and disposal facilities to cover increased demand for waste management services.
Increased number of tourists will increase demand and production of agricultural goods locally through conventional practices, which involves usage of chemicals and pesticides and is linked with contamination of air, soil and water.

A widely used practice of putting pesticide containers into the household waste containers or throwing them away directly into the environment is also a huge problem.
– 101 – Growing agricultural production leads to increase the volume of biodegradable organic vegetal residues, which can also create an environmental threat of fire when decomposing in landfills and emitting methane.

The increase amount of the methane emission will contribute to the greenhouse gases emissions.
• Development of tourism sector in the target regions can create a risk of the environmental pollution: - - - - Increased amount of the waste from touristic facilities (including those providing food and beverage) can create sources of pollution from illegal damping sites in the forests or near the water bodies.

Increased number of tourists and touristic facilities can lead to increased usage of bottled water instead of drinking water from natural sources, hence – increased plastic waste.
Generally, tourists tend to use more bottled water as they might not trust or question the quality of local drinking water source.

As currently the separate collection and recycling practices are not in place, improper treated plastic bottle waste can contribute to environmental pollution.

The same can be mentioned in relation to plastic packaging for the lunch boxes, which local guesthouses offer to take with for the excursions.
Increase amount of the waste waters generated from touristic services and lack of water treatment facilities can cause pollution of surface and ground waters (and soil).

Expected impact of the GRETA project’s ecotourism activities on water and sanitation in the targeted regions largely depends on the scope and success of implementation of these activities.

The targeted locations differ in terms of access and availability to water resources and sewage systems.
Therefore, expected impact can be fully estimated only after specific activities in each targeted location will be known and approved.

Increase demand and production of local agricultural products can increase amount of chemicals (pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers) from agricultural land and discharge of polluted waters into rivers and other water bodies affecting fish fauna.
102 Table 15 Environmental Impact and Risks Related to the Development of Mountain Tourism and Increasing Number of Tourists in the Target Regions # Potential Impacts and Risks Recommendations on Environmental Safeguards / Mitigation Measures Changing natural landscapes and destruction of habitat due to new constructions for creating new touristic facilities 1.
Likelihood: Moderate to low Significance: High Reversibility & duration: Irreversible / Permanent Disturbance and /or migration of wildlife from their habitat due to too many visitors (noise, vibration, movement) 2.

Likelihood: Moderate to low Significance: High Reversibility & duration: during touristic seasons • Identification of sensitive areas that are likely to be affected by such new developments.
• Facilitating elaboration and approval of local development plans (Master Plans) that will regulate new constructions and delineate boundaries of settlements.

• Support in planning and implementation of protection actions, including support in the process of designation and management of the planned protected areas.

Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 2 Monitoring required: Yes • Identification highly sensitive areas – local biodiversity hotspots and species.
• Training tourist service providers and guides on how to instruct the tourists and plan the tours.

• Support in planning and implementation of mitigation measures, such as granting protection status, including designation and management of the planned protected areas.

• Awareness raising activities for kids on environment protection, conservation.
Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 2 Monitoring required: Yes • Identification fire risk areas; • Support awareness raising activities among touristic service providers and guides, and tourists on fire related issues; 3.

Increased risk of the forest fire caused by human negligence • Support relevant state institutions (forest management institution, emergency services) in planning and implementation of fire prevention and firefighting measures.
Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 2 Monitoring required: Yes 103 # Potential Impacts and Risks Recommendations on Environmental Safeguards / Mitigation Measures Increased use of forest resources, particularly firewood, by the tourist service providers for heating and cooking purposes.

• Support introduction and usage of alternative heating sources by tourism service suppliers, e.g.

introduction of solar thermal applications for water and room heating.
• Assess the energy efficiency needs of the project beneficiaries and provide support in meeting • Assess the need of heating sources for the project beneficiaries and study alternatives for heating.

4.

Likelihood: Moderate to high Significance: High Reversibility & duration: during touristic season and increased cold seasons Increased pollution of local air with dust and toxic emissions from intensive use of road transportation 5.
Likelihood: Moderate to low Significance: Moderate Reversibility & duration: during touristic seasons Increased emissions of GHG from air and road transportation means used by the tourists and their service providers energy efficiency standard.

• Considering the specifications of the project locations, assess the best practices of the alternative energy sources for heating and cooking and energy efficiency (e.g.

Swedish heating systems, energy efficiency tools, roof-top water heaters, etc.)
Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 4 Monitoring required: Yes • Identify the areas at the high risk of air pollution Support touristic services not connected to local transportation by motor vehicles, e.g.

mountain trekking, climbing, biking, horse tours, kayaking, speleological tourism • Support target areas in planning and introducing nature-friendly transportation means.

• Encourage car sharing.

• Raise awareness of kids on pollution related issues.
Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 4 Monitoring required: Yes • Encourage car sharing for local movement.

• Support target areas in planning and introducing nature-friendly transportation means.

6.
6.

Likelihood: Moderate to low Significance: Moderate to low Reversibility & duration: during touristic seasons Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 5 Monitoring required: Yes 104 # Potential Impacts and Risks Recommendations on Environmental Safeguards / Mitigation Measures Increased generation of waste: • Increased amount of municipal solid waste generated by increased number of tourists and their service providers (including the amount of hazardous waste e.g.
luminescence lamps containing mercury, batteries from electric devices, cell phones, laptops, children’s toys, shaving equipment etc.).

• Increased amount of plastic bottles and plastic packaging.

• Increased littering near areas with high concentrations of tourist activities (national parks, forests and cultural areas).

7.
7.

• Increased amount of inert waste from construction and refurbishing activities and disposal of such waste at municipal landfills or directly in environment due to the absence of special permissible landfills (especially in Mestia).

Likelihood: High Significance: High Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact during touristic seasons • Capacity development of tourist service providers in waste management.
Training and instruction of the respective personnel in waste management practices and procedures.

• Supporting local authorities of the target municipalities in organization of waste management, including recycling, waste production prevention, circular economy, improvement of packaging of local products sold to tourists, especially around tourist hubs.

• Support target municipalities in implementation and Enforcement of Municipal Waste Management Action Plans (2018-2022) and waste monitoring programs.
• Encourage guesthouse owners to conduct laboratory testing of the drinking water from natural sources and of tap water and to make the results of the tests (certificates) available to the tourists.

• Indicate drinking water sources on the tracking maps and making them available for tourists.

• Provide multi-use water containers to be filled from tap or from natural sources.

• Provide portable lunches in biodegradable packaging instead of plastic packaging.
• Encourage separate collection of plastic bottles on the premises and research the ways of their re-use or recycling locally.

• Incentive the use of water purifying devices and water filters for drinking water purposes with use of reusable bottles (metal bottles could be branded and sold to tourists for instance) • Conduct risk assessments of waste management in mountain areas, including potential risk for downstream areas from both large and small-scale waste dumping.
• Support establishment of household hazardous waste collection facility in each target municipality and safe recycling of household hazardous waste by a permitted waste handler or an authorized recycling facility.

• Support establishment of take-back programs (e.g.

containers and packaging, while selling new lamps businesses will have to take back and recycle used ones).

• Support activities on separation of solid waste materials into hazardous, non-hazardous and reusable waste streams.
• Support municipalities in accurate collection of hazardous waste and sending to a licensed operator for proper treatment (recycling and re-usage operations, responsibility of commercial waste generators).

105 # Potential Impacts and Risks Recommendations on Environmental Safeguards / Mitigation Measures • Promotion of more environmentally friendly rechargeable Li-ion batteries.
• Assess the situation regarding inert waste disposal opportunities (especially, in Mestia) and identify location for waste disposal.

Support storing the inert waste temporarily on site, in secure facilities.

Collection and disposal of all construction waste at designated location.
• Assess and support waste-to-energy opportunities especially from organic waste, agricultural residues and sanitation/waste water and faecal sludges • Undertake awareness raising activities in schools regarding waste generation and management.
Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 3 Monitoring required: Yes Increased generation of waste waters from tourist service providers and their facilities and their discharge into the rivers and streams without any treatment and pollution of soil and waters (potentially also affecting fish fauna).

8.

• Capacity development of the local authorities and tourist service providers on management of waste waters from guest houses and hotel facilities.
• Supporting design, planning and implementation of the waste water treatment facilities in the target regions.

• Assess and support waste-to-energy opportunities including sanitation/waste water sludges Likelihood: High Significance: High Reversibility & duration: Irreversible impact during touristic seasons Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 3 Monitoring required: Yes 9.
Increased pressure on land resources from more intensive agricultural activities targeted to satisfy the demands for local agricultural produce (including application of chemicals to soil, illegally burning the agricultural land to increase its productivity, overgrazing the pastures) • Capacity development of local farmers through training and awareness raising on sustainable use of land resources, avoidance of application of chemicals in agriculture, plot rotation and sustainable pasture and soil management.
• Assess and support waste-to-energy opportunities especially from organic waste and agricultural residues Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 3 Monitoring required: No 106 The Environment Impact Associated with the Development of Organic Agriculture in the Target Regions Organic agriculture aims to produce food while establishing an ecological balance to prevent loss soil fertility or pest problems.
Organic agriculture takes a preventive and pro-active ameliorative approach instead of treating problems after they emerge.

The crop rotations, inter-cropping, symbiotic associations, cover crops, organic fertilizers, integrated pest management, soil conservation and minimum tillage are central to organic practices.

These practices encourage soil fauna and flora, improve soil formation and structure and play an important role in soil erosion control.
Organic agriculture practices are beneficial for climate change adaptation since it preserves and restores soil organic matter, soil structure and water holding capacity, and therefore enables to maintain productivity in the event of drought, irregular rainfall events, with floods and rising temperatures.

Organic agricultural practices increase the nutrient and water retention capacity of soils through high organic matter content and soil cover.
As a result, nutrients and water are used more effectively for agricultural production and less water is needed; Organic agriculture increases biodiversity, by using trees and diverse crops, intercropping and crop rotations.
Enhanced biodiversity reduces pest outbreaks, the severity of plant and animal diseases, thereby increasing the production of high-quality agricultural produce; Organic agriculture is well adapted to local circumstances as it encourages the use of local knowledge and adaptive learning techniques.

The pollution of groundwater with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is mainly caused by agricultural activities.
Unsustainable intensification of the agricultural activities causes the increase of pesticides’ and synthetic fertilisers’ use.

The application of the insecticides and fungicides has negative effects on species diversity.

Broad-spectrum insecticides can cause population declines of beneficial insects such as bees, spiders, or beetles.

Many of these species play an important role in the food production as pollinators or as natural enemies of pest insects.
In organic agriculture, those are replaced by organic fertilizers and mechanical measures against pests or use of greater biodiversity, enhancing soil structure and water infiltration.

Well managed organic systems with better nutrient retentive abilities, greatly reduce the risk of groundwater pollution.

Organic agriculture contributes to mitigating the greenhouse effect and global warming through its ability to sequester carbon in the soil and through the potential application of waste-to-energy (e.g.
biogas from residues and organic waste) and circular economy approaches.

Many management practices used by organic agriculture (e.g.

minimum tillage, returning crop residues to the soil, the use of cover crops and rotations, and the greater integration of nitrogen-fixing legumes), increase the return of carbon to the soil, raising productivity and favouring carbon storage.
GHG emissions from Georgia’s agriculture sector are associated with the following four categories: (i) digestive fermentation from animal farming (including sheep breeding); (ii) use of inorganic fertilizers; (iii) emissions from agricultural lands; (iv) emissions from burning agricultural wastes in the fields.
In 2013, the share of agriculture sector to total GHG emissions of Georgia was 16% (out of them 49 % from digestive fermentation and 40% - from agricultural lands).70 Organic agriculture has a potential to reduce GHG from this sector, to increase the carbon sink and sequestration and reduce areas with land degradation.
70 Georgia’s Third National Communication to the UNFCCC, 2015 107 Over the past decades, adverse social and environmental effects have increased the need for a more sustainable production system.

One strategy for such long-term production with minimal effects on the environment is conversion from conventional to organic agriculture practices.
From the environmental perspective, organic agriculture can save energy, preserve biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and sustain the environment, especially in the long run.

In addition, it can enhance soil fertility and feed nutrients to the soil.

Under an organic system, farmers must make efficient use of locally available resources.
The specifics on the planned activities of the project are as follows: Beekeeping: Bees provide numerous benefits to the natural environment and have a critical role in its sustainability.

Bees play crucial roles for the pollination of many cultivated crops and for maintaining biodiversity in of non-cultivated areas.

Usually a honeybee can visit between 50 to1 000 flowers in one trip, which takes between 30 minutes to 4 hours.
A colony with 25 000 forager bees, each making 10 trips a day, is able to pollinate 250 million flowers.

Bee can fly over wide areas and thus provide environmental monitoring for such areas.
They are biological indicator as it can indicate environment degradation based on several factors (i) bee has a body that is covered in hairs, which makes it particularly suitable to hold materials and substances they come in contact with; toxic and pollutant residues can be found in bee products and in their bodies; (ii) bee is highly sensitive to most plant protection products and have high mortality rates when in contact with pesticides.
Beekeeping is important not for only agriculture and honey production, it does not fit easily into the specific sector as an activity.

The impact of beekeeping is important for rural development as it covers forestry, horticulture, agriculture, the natural environment, animal husbandry and entomology without fitting precisely into any one of these sectors.

For example, pollination is an important part of horticulture, the beekeeping itself is often considered as an animal production.
Similar for classification of bee products because honey is a food, yet beeswax is listed amongst non-food waxes and oils.

Beekeeping requires good sanitation in order to avoid spread of infection.

Honey bee colonies are subject to infection or infestation by a range of pests and diseases.

These include insects, mites, fungi, viruses, and bacteria.
Honey bees are social insects and are at risk of epidemics, so it is essential that beekeepers not only recognize the signs of such pests and diseases, but also know how to reduce their impact in colonies, apiaries and the locality.

A key factor in preventing the spread of infection is good sanitation and hygiene.
Vegetable production as a relatively small-scale production of fruit and vegetable is especially important for the project’s target regions as the farm sizes in the proposed areas is quite small compared to the countries average.

Most market gardens grow and supply fresh produce through the local growing season.

Unlike large scale farms, they generally have a wide range of crops and are less industrially intensive, i.e.
crops are picked or harvested using manual labour, with gardening rather than intensive farming techniques.

108 The small-scale gardening enables the households to use climate smart technologies such as conservational agriculture, organic soil cover, raised bed technologies etc.

without big investment and pressure on the environment Collection of the wild berries from the forest is widely spread in almost all regions in Georgia especially in the project’s areas, in the target municipalities.
However, unsustainable harvesting practice can sometimes lead to the over-harvesting of the products.

The development of the collection of wild berries has to be based on the sustainable manner and the users should be aware of the basic guidelines while harvesting non-timber products in the forest.

Tea production: Since it is an intensive monoculture, tea cultivation has environmental impacts.

Tea plantations suffer from various pests and diseases, which are often tackled with chemical pesticides.
Application of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers create environmental hazards.

Meanwhile, insecticides often eliminate the fauna of a vast tract of land.

Soil degradation is an additional concern because the constant use of fertilizers and herbicides compound soil erosion.

Apart from those issues, chemical runoff into bodies can pollute groundwater.

Finally, during tea manufacturing, fossil fuel is used to dry the processed leaves, which also increases environmental pollution.
Hence, the alternative, eco-friendly, non- chemical pest and disease management strategies are recommended.

Sustainable tea cultivation can restore the productivity and sustainability of soil as well as plants.

Sheep farming: The interaction of livestock with ecosystems is complex and the level of impact depends on several factors such as location, feeding practice, management practices etc.
The livestock sector can harm water quality through the release of nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients, pathogens and other substances into waterways and groundwater, mainly from manure in intensive livestock operations.

From the other side, livestock can be successfully used for weed control and therefore contribute to the decrease of water pollution by herbicides.

The fossil energy that would otherwise be used for making and spreading herbicides is also saved.
The production of sheep is usually extensive but the problem in Georgia while sheep farming is related to the unsustainable grazing practice, caused by several factors.

Current situation of ownership and control is conflicting.

Due to the lack of proper registration of state-owned pastures (i.e.
borders and surfaces are not defined, land is not mapped, the lack of documentation and demarcation) the leasing of pastures, particularly mountain pastures, which are often used informally and free of charge by local or nomadic herders is problematic.

Village pastures include unfenced land in and around a village.

Cows are left to freely pasture these areas during the daytime.

Sometimes, a shepherd is responsible to guard the cows and leads them towards the areas with best forage.
Pasturing is self-regulated among local and nomadic pasture users, meaning that shepherds are free to lead their herds to locations with best grass growth.

All regions of Georgia use continuous grazing system, where the pasture is not divided into sub-pastures or paddocks.

Livestock are allowed access to all the pasture area at any given time.
Continuous grazing often creates overgrazed areas, causing replacement of the original vegetation by unpalatable or grazing- resistant species and leading to lower species diversity.

109 Despite the decrease in herds, the condition of the pastures has not been improved.

Overgrazing by sheep, goats and cattle is occurring at all altitudes in 30% of the sub-alpine and alpine pastures, as well as in 50% of the steppe and semi-desert ecosystems in the southeast of the Kura River basin.
The regulation of the rotational grazing and introducing management plan could even improve the plant population and avoid overgrazing.

Sheep farming requires proper sanitary-hygienic control measures in order to avoid spread of zoonotic diseases.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) initiatives can plausibly contribute to control of zoonotic disease given the knowledge about pathogen transmission cycles, through provision of sanitation infrastructure that safely removes human and animal faecal waste from the human environment, provision of clean water sources, and improvement of hygiene practices at the community and household level.
The knowledge and compliance with the rules on the proper sanitary practices at all stages of animal farming, including usage of only licensed slaughter houses is imperative.

Zoonotic pathogens have complex life cycles that commonly include different phases in human hosts, animal hosts and the environment before completion.

Overlooking one or more of these three elements facilitates the perpetuation of the cycle, and with it, re-infection.
Production of natural colorants: Dyes derived from natural sources have emerged as an important alternative to synthetic dyes.

Consider its impact on the environment.

Natural dyes have less environmental impact compared to synthetic dyes.

Thus, the sustainability should be taken into account, since natural dye sources are renewable.

however, it still can be an issue for natural dyes because producing them requires vast areas of land or using non timber resources from forest.
• Positive effects of organic agriculture on the biodiversity include: - Species diversity: Organically farmed areas have on average 30% more species and 50% more individuals, than non-organic ones.

In particular, birds, predatory species, spiders, soil dwelling organisms and field flora benefit most from the organic management.

Pests and indifferent organisms occur in similar quantities on the organic and non-organic areas.

The difference is observed in arable and horticultural lands in the lowlands.
- Rare and endangered species: To preserve a rare and endangered fauna species on the organic farms, additional strategies, such as adapted species protection programmes might be necessary.

Rare plant species and ground beetles are proved to be in higher diversity and density on organic farms.

- Semi-natural lands are higher in organic areas then in non-organic ones, which create favourable condition for preserving biodiversity.
- The organic agriculture standards and practices enhance not only biodiversity, but strengthen natural cycles and improve environmental performance that in its turn increases the sustainability of organic farms.

• Organic Agriculture and Protected Areas: – Healthy and competitive agriculture needs a healthy environment and natural resources as provided by Protected Areas.

Organic and eco-sustainable farming is particularly suited to farms situated within the protected areas.
Such farms are not polluted from external sources.

Besides, protection from the predatory birds and insects is crucially important for the protection of plants.

110 – PAs guarantee such protection by the presence of wild areas providing a natural habitat for those species.

Moreover, organic agriculture does not harm local ecosystems because it does not use pesticides and promotes biodiversity.

It is scientifically proved that there is a need to expand and develop multifunctional farming in such areas.
This will generate income and create employment opportunities, stability and social cohesion, whilst promoting the maintenance and extension of farming practices which preserve and increase landscape and biological diversity and expand the number of recognized local products (and in some cases certified products, especially if organic).
• Impact of organic agriculture on conservation of water resources – Organic agricultural practices will keep the water supplies clean by preventing pollution from pesticides and toxic fertilizers.

Organic agriculture will help to conserve water resources as organic farmers, tend to spend time amending soil correctly and using mulch - both of which help conserve water.
– Among the planned agricultural activities of the project, vegetable production and sheep-farming can have the most significant consequences in terms of water and sanitation.

– Vegetable Production and organic gardening has much to offer in terms of water quality and the management of water holding capacity, as it contributes to the preservation and restoration of water quality, protecting downstream users and water habitats that are rich in biodiversity.
Farmers have no knowledge and incentives to undertake measures that prevent pesticides from escaping to water sources, thus environmental costs of pesticide pollution are still mainly transferred to the population and the society.

Organic standards prohibit the application of synthetic pesticides to protect water bodies.
Although the use of manure and slurry still poses risks to water pollution, organic agriculture has not only significantly reduced its nitrate leaching rates, but research shows that organic agriculture systems have the potential to continue to reduce leaching through sophisticated crop rotations, the use of green manures and the maintenance of catch and cover crops71.
Crop varieties with different root architecture could be another means to maintain and improve soil structure and enhance water infiltration.

• Impacts of organic agricultural practices on soil of the target municipalities Organic agriculture also demonstrates effective water conservation capabilities.

Specifically, organic agriculture impacts positively on soil structure and enhances the water-holding capacity and hence availability of water.
Increased humus content, for instance, allows the soil to absorb more water during periods of heavy rainfall, reducing the runoff of surface water and soil erosion72.

Greater holding capacity means that the soil can then supply plants with sufficient amounts of water in extreme droughts.

71Thorup-Kristensen, K. (2007).

Effect of crop management practices on the sustainability and environmental impact of organic and low input food production systems.
3rd QLIF Congress: Improving Sustainability in Organic and Low Input Food Production Systems, University of Hohenheim, Germany, March 20-23, 2007.

72Zeiger, M.; Fohrer, N. (2009).

Impact of organic farming systems on runoff formation processes - A long-term sequential rainfall experiment.

Soil and Tillage Research, 102 (1), 45-54 111 Moreover, organically-managed crops have demonstrated their superior performance during such events, recording higher yields than their conventional counterparts73.
– management practices used by organic agriculture such as minimum tillage, organic soil cover, returning crop residues to the soil, the use of rotations, and the integration of nitrogen-fixing legumes increase the return of carbon to the soil, raising productivity and favouring carbon storage; – Introducing above mention practice will improve soil composition and structure and prevent soil erosion control and will improve soil fertility; – The project activities can encourage and motivate farmers in the target areas to use uncultivated agricultural plots; and promote changing the land use structure.
The positive environmental impacts resulting from promotion of the organic agriculture activities of the GRETA project can be enhanced and replicated in the other regions of Georgia.

• As mentioned in the baseline assessment, the target regions are mainly characterized with small scale farming systems.

Considering the specifications, farm sizes and farming practice in the target regions, there is a possibility to develop permaculture.
Development of the permaculture will contribute not only for the agricultural development but also introducing such systems and practice will contribute to the rural development by bringing communities together, by optimal using local resources and branding the regions.

Negative impacts of organic agriculture include: Due to the fact that in Georgia there is a lack of experience and knowledge in the organic agriculture, incorrect actions could cause some negative effects.
In addition, transformation from conventional farming to organic will possibly create practical barriers for small holder farmers.

Taking into account existing situation in the target regions, following can be summarized: Carbon footprint of incorrect composting: if done incorrectly with insufficient aeration, the breakdown of organic matter within the composting processes could be a source of methane release into the atmosphere with potent greenhouse effect.
Practical Barriers to Implementing No-till Farming - The best approach to building soil quality is minimizing soil disturbance combined with the use of cover crops.

Such farming systems have multiple environmental advantages, particularly with respect to limiting erosion and nutrient movement into water.

Organic growers frequently do plant cover crops, but without effective herbicides, they tend to rely on tillage for weed control.

Difficulties Implementing Optimized Fertilization.


Supply of the nutrients through the drip irrigation system requires water-soluble forms of the nutrients.

It is difficult and more expensive to do for the natural fertilizer sources allowed in organic.

73Rodale Institute (2011).

The Farming Systems Trial: Celebrating 30 years.

Kutztown, Pennsylvania Pimentel, D.; Hepperly, P.; Hanson, J.; Douds, D.; Seidel, R. (2005).
Environmental, Energetic, and Economic Comparisons of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems.

BioScience, 55 (7), 573-582.

112 The possible problem with organic agriculture is that it uses more land than conventional farming in the short term.

In the short term, yields of organic crops are lower than those for conventional.

The shortfall is driven by limited pesticide options, difficulties in meeting peak fertilizer demand.
However, the above mentioned is more general description of what negative impacts organic agriculture may cause.

Due to the lack of information on target sites within the municipalities and planned projects, we were not allowed to carry out assessment at local level.

Due to this, specific assessment is necessary after identifying specific project activities.
113 Table 16 Environmental Impact and Risks Related to the Development of Organic agriculture in the Target Regions # Potential Impacts and Risks Recommendations on Environmental Safeguards / Mitigation Measures 1.

Possible change of land use or increase of agricultural land areas due to development of organic agriculture, which uses more land compared to conventional farming.
Likelihood: Moderate to low Significance: Low to negligible Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact Increased number of biodegradable/ vegetal residues due to growing agricultural activities.

Increased methane emissions from increased number of vegetal residues and manure, when decomposing at landfills or environment 2.
Likelihood: High to moderate Significance: Moderate Reversibility & duration: During touristic seasons The project team should promote organic agriculture and support it replication in other location.

Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 3 Monitoring required: Yes • Support activities related to minimization and disposal of biodegradable waste at the landfills (National Waste Management Strategy 2016-2030) and therefore, contribute to decrease of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Support households-beneficiaries in composting of organic materials.

• Support introduction of biogas technology as a clean source of energy which will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere and produce valuable by-products for fertilization purposes.

Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 3 Monitoring required: Yes Bee keeping may have negative impact on native bees • Prior agreement with the beneficiaries to plant native flowers and to facilitate nesting sites 3.
Likelihood: High Significance: High Reversibility & duration: Irreversible impact during touristic seasons for native species by leaving dead branches and bare dirt accessible.

• Awareness raising about the importance of native bee species.

• Avoid overpopulation of one area with too many honey bees.
Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 2 Monitoring required: Yes 114 # Potential Impacts and Risks Recommendations on Environmental Safeguards / Mitigation Measures More intensive sheep-farming and livestock sector can harm water quality through the release of nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients, pathogens and other substances into waterways and groundwater, mainly from manure.

Overgrazing74 can have negative impact on land.
Likelihood: Moderate to low Significance: Moderate to low Reversibility & duration: Permanent risk after increase of activities Increased risk of spread of zoonotic diseases due to more intensive animal farming activities Likelihood: Low Significance: Low Reversibility & duration: Permanent risk after increase of activities Natural colorants industry (prepared from wild plants and lichens) can have a considerable impact on the environment - natural dyestuffs require large quantities of water for dyeing, and about 80 % of the dyestuffs stay on the fabric, while the rest go down the drain.
4.

5.

6.

• Support planning and implementation of activities to develop capacities on sanitary standards of animal farming including those related to manure management.

• Support rotational grazing and introducing of pasture management plan.

Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 3 Monitoring required: No • Support planning and implementation of activities to develop capacities of local actors on undertaking proper sanitary control measures.
• Application of One Health approach to controlling zoonotic transmission will be required, considering animals, people and the environment in a comprehensive approach to public health; Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 3 Monitoring required: Yes Mitigation measures will be required in case of supporting the large-scale industrial activities related to natural colorants.
Timeframe: During project implementation Urgency: 3 Monitoring required: Yes 74 Organic Marketing Study, AMG, GRETA, 2019 115 6.
Current Socio-Economic Conditions Demographics Gender ratio of household members inquired in target municipalities is somewhat similar, while age structure of family members is distributed as follows: 23% is represented by population aged 65 and above, 16% is comprised of citizens within 55-64 age range, 13% - representatives of 25-34 age group, 12% - 35-44 year-old citizens, while number of 7-18 year-old citizens is 13%.
It is worth mentioning that groups of 0-6 (7%) and 19-24 (4%) age categories are represented in small quantities.

Economic Conditions 72% of population living in target regions is not employed.

Employment level does not differ significantly by regions, the majority of population claims not to be employed: Imereti – 72%, Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti – 71%, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 76%.
As reported by focus group participants, major part of population is self-employed in the fields of both tourism and agriculture.

Those self-employed in agriculture declare that this activity is mostly for their own consumption, however, some of the products are being sold, including services related to local tourism – supplying guesthouses and shops with products.
In general, when studying financial condition of population, it turned out that almost half of inquired respondents (47%), do not have enough money to buy food, situation is even more severe in Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi, where 49% and 47% respectively reported on such condition, only 16% of respondents inquired in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti reported on not having enough money to buy food75.

Average monthly income of households including all sources of income is 704 GEL.
The highest monthly average income is reported in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti (754 GEL) followed by Imereti (725 GEL).

While average monthly income of households living in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti is 644 GEL76.

As declared by 57% of inquired respondents, they have only one source of income, as for first range of sources, this mostly includes pension and other social allowance (70%), as well as salary from public sector (33%) and salary from private sector (27%).
According to 89% of respondents, their main sources of income are not seasonal.

43% of respondents have a loan or credit, number of such respondents is higher in Imereti and Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (45%-40% respectively), while number of such respondents is 28% in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti.

Total average amount of credit is 6966 GEL.
75 This is a respondent-based assessment and does not have connection with the social allowance 76 According to Geostat, income per household in Samegrelo Upper Svaneti is GEL 949 and GEL 1028 in Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti region, Geostat, regional statistics source: https://www.geostat.ge/regions/# 116 Business Activity Considering socio-economic condition, it is worth noting that self-employment and private business is relatively better developed in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti compared to other regions.
General financial situation is better in this region, including in terms of average monthly income, but amount of credit is higher too which is presumably connected to paying capacity and better environment for business.

Results of quantitative research also confirm that Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti is more developed than other regions in terms of doing business.
Major part of population living in three regions: Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti, Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti is not involved in any kind of production or business (94%).

Only 7% plans on expanding the existing business or starting a new one.
Despite this, business is the most developed in Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti and 29% of those citizens who are involved in production or business is a resident of Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti, in addition, index of expanding or starting a new business is exceptionally high in this region compared to other regions.

Imereti (3%) is the least active in terms of business and production.

64% of businesses operating in three regions are registered.

Major portion of them are individual entrepreneurs (45%).
The most popular type of business is shop / market (2%).

It is worth mentioning that segment of tourism business such as renting out rooms / guesthouse is the most developed in Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti region (18%).

Main consumers of the existing business / production are local residents (97%).

Foreign consumers are mostly prevalent in case of businesses that operate in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (63%).
Number of men (27%) managing the existing businesses is almost two times higher than number of female managers (12%).

However, average number of permanently employed women (35) is higher than average number of permanently employed men in various businesses (25).

In addition, number of women employed on seasonal jobs is slightly (10) but still higher than number of seasonally employed men (7).
As noted by focus group participants, in general, guesthouse business is managed by women, mostly women are employed in service field, it was also noted that women are willing to take more risks when starting a new business than men.

Interview with Eco Tourism Association also confirmed that women are active in this field, as mostly housewives are involved in this business, even in terms of agritourism holding the ration between female and males would be 60/40.
Tourism related Services None of the respondents inquired in scopes of the quantitative study mentioned offering Guiding services to the tourists.

In Georgia no laws or regulations regulate the Guides activities.

Anyone can call themselves a guide, even when the certificate is provided the issuer should be a trusted entity, as certificates can be also issued by many entities.
It is entirely up to tourist to choose who they would prefer to guide them during their tour, whether this will be a person without specific knowledge of the standards or the first 117 aid skills.

The mountain guide is the highest qualification as per Mountain Guides Association as it requires number of skills and knowledge.

It should be also mentioned, that this activity requires good physical conditions and is mostly considered as male activity.
As evaluated by focus group participants, tourism and agriculture fields have perspective but they need to be supported, which ultimately implies financial support.

Focus group participants often point out the example of Mestia where the state assisted development of tourism, promoted it and as a result of this, young people returned to the municipality, they now have a source of income and new opportunities emerged.
Farming and Organic Agriculture Speaking of starting a new business, tourism is the most popular, in some cases tourism activity is related to agriculture which is perceived to be a supporting field of tourism.

It is worth mentioning that participants of focus groups in target municipalities rarely recall cases when any special chemicals or other means are used to produce agricultural products.

In terms of perception, locally harvested product is equal to organic product.
Tourists are highly interested in local products; however, no one requires certificate of organic origin, respectively, relationship of a consumer and a supplier is based on the trust.

Regardless the fact, that part of focus group participants is confident in organic origin of local products, there are cases when locals feel doubtful in terms of compliance with standards.
Those who have dealt with certification or have heard from others, that their products did not comply with standards, believe that compliance with standards is not simple.

Certification process itself may last for years which requires additional finances and human as well as time resources apart from the labour required by the specific activity itself.
According to certification organization if a person decides to apply for certification, she/he should consider not only trivial things like avoiding pests, etc.

also all documentation including financial records should be well established.

In case of perennial crops, the valuation period can last up to 3 years and the fee depends on various things, e.g.

inspector fee (USD 120 per hour), transportation (USD 0.35).
Currently, 50-60% of applicants applying for certification are winemakers, although collection of wild species/herbs (Licorice, Nettle, Blackberry Leaves, Blueberry Leaves, Sea buckthorns, dog rose) can be considered as the most popular currently.

Certification of animal husbandry/livestock can be considered as one of the most difficult, as this is connected with feeding and nutrition, disease control, treatment, living conditions, etc.
Situation in terms of agriculture is as follows: 81% of respondents own / use land parcels, there is a slight difference on regional level and land is the most used in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti (89%), followed by Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti (84%) and Imereti (80%).

Average total number of owned / used land parcels is 2.5, while average area of owned / used land is 3062 square meters.
After fruit, the largest portion of inquired respondents harvest vegetables (71%), maize (67%), grapes (64%) and beans (51%).

Equal number of respondents living in three regions harvest vegetables, frequency of harvesting above-mentioned other crops, as well as amount of yield, differ by region.
118 Figure 23 – Harvested Crops and Cultures Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Fruit Maize Vegetables Grapes Beans Potato Hazelnut Walnut Do not harvest… Hard to answer N=220 N=222 N=58 N=500 Cases of using pesticides for cultivation of products were not reported in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti, inquired residents cultivate crops except for maize without using pesticides, in case of maize, 7% of respondents reported on using pesticides.
Speaking of fruit, only 1% of residents living in Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti use it, while portion of such respondents is 6% in Imereti.

Practice of using pesticides in case of vegetables and maize is relatively higher in these two regions, but the rate is particularly high in Imereti in case of potato (48%).

One third (36%) of respondents do not own any domestic animals.

Half of inquired respondents (50%) own poultry, 44% - cow, 14% - pig, while 6% own bees.
Frequency of naming other domestic animals is insignificant and does not exceed 1%, including sheep.

Frequency of owning poultry is the highest in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (54%), cows are mostly owned in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (56%).

More respondents have pig and bees in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti than in other two regions.
Access to Utilities As one of the sources of income in future is perceived to be guesthouses, it is important to analyse data related to utility services and use of these services.

Absolute majority of respondents (100%) are provided with electricity supply.

59% of respondents have natural gas supply, 34% - have gas tanks.
Gas is the most frequently used (80%) for cooking, however, differences by regions are significant – 89% and 70% of respondents living in Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti use gas for cooking, while only one fifth (21%) of respondents use this source for cooking in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.
In contrary, respondents living in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti most frequently use (74%) electricity for cooking, while frequency of using electricity is significantly lower in Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi and equals 7% and 25% respectively.

As for heating, the most frequently used source in all three regions is firewood and in total, 82% of inquired respondents reported on using this source.

22% of respondents use gas.


26% of respondents in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti use electricity 119 as a source of heating.

Electricity is free in target municipalities of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti and accordingly, this source is highly used there.
Table 17 -Sources of energy used for cooking and heating Electricity Gas Cooking Coal / charcoal Firewood Gas tank Electricity Gas Firewood Heating Imereti (N=275) 7% 89% 1% 32% 3% 2% 30% 74% Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (N=260) 25% 70% Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti (N=65) 74% 21% 0% 69% 9% 2% 4% 96% 0% 99% 0% 26% 0% 100% Total (N=600) 16% 80% 1% 45% 4% 3% 22% 82% Main source of drinking water is reported to be centralized water supply tap water from inside the house (28%), one fourth (25%) of inquired residents use spring water, 17% - tap water.
No significant differences have been reported by regions.
Figure 24 - Main source of drinking water Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Tap water inside the house (centralized water supply) Spring water Tap water inside the house Tap water in the yard 30% 28% 13% 8% 26% 20% 27% 21% 22% 18% 13% 16% Own well 11% Tap water in yard (centralized water supply) 3% Communal well 4% 5% 7% 1% 7% 28% 25% 17% 10% 9% 4% 3% N=600 One fourth (25%) of inquired respondents assess quality of water used for household purposes as bad, the quality is satisfactory for 27% and good for 38%.
In this case too, the highest level of disappointment was reported in Imereti region, where 42% of respondents described water as very bad/ bad, while level of dissatisfaction is 20% in Racha Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and 8% in Samegrelo.

120 39% of inquired respondents believe that turbidity of water during rain is a problem which is related to water, another problem related to water is supply of unfiltered of water.
As declared by focus group participants, residents of village type settlements have their own reservoir which supplies people with water by means of pipes, reservoir needs to be cleaned after water which is managed by residents with their own resources.

59% of inquired residents have pit latrine, 53% of them have flush toilet.

Pit latrine is more prevalent in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (71%).

69% of inquired respondents are not connected to sewage system.
85% of inquired respondents declare that they throw their waste on special designated areas and in trash cans, however, it is also worth mentioning that 13% of respondents throw their waste on self-arranged areas.

This practice is mostly prevalent in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (23%).

As it turns out during conversation with municipalities, all three municipalities have approved waste management plan and the respective agency, which is responsible for waste collection and management.
However, it is worth mentioning waste management vehicle removes waste only alongside asphalt roads of municipalities while secondary village roads do not have asphalt surface.

As noted by focus group participants, if a trash bin is located in the entrance of the village and a person lives at the other end of the village, he will not bring trash to the bin, but will throw it in the ravine or river.
Infrastructure Infrastructural underdevelopment has been named as a barrier for tourism by numerous respondents.

Infrastructure was mentioned in several aspects starting from accessibility of locations, lack of shelters and camping areas in high mountainous areas, equipment required for tourism activities.

Even though the hiking tracks are now available the tour operators see the problem of their maintenance.
Tour operator inquired in scopes the study mentioned that the number of the tourists in Mestia is rising from year to year and it is the fastest developing municipality out of all target municipalities, although it should be mentioned that it falls back in terms of infrastructure.

The tourists are requesting higher standards of the hotels than it is available on the market.
As the customers of the tour operator are mainly from Europe, the caring for the environment is their one of the top priorities, if the guesthouses and hotels do more harm to the environment in terms of sanitation, they refuse to use their services.

Mestia has a choice, even though not many can comply with the standards, whereas other regions physically have no choice and it is even harder to accommodate tourists there.
The same applies to restaurants, the operator has done some checks and only 3 out of 10 seemed to be in compliance with their standard.

One of the guesthouse owners while speaking of the comments and recommendations received from the tourists visiting him and whether these comments are being considered, mentioned that the tourists will come back any way, no need to invest more money.
On the other hand, tour operator is very attentive towards the requirements of its customers and thus limits the number of the offered hotels to minimum.

Considering the unstable attitude of the guesthouse owners towards the services, they had to quit using the services of some of them.

121 In winter time the tourism activity can be higher although it is currently impossible, since due to weather conditions the roads are often blocked.
Even though two airports in Mestia and Ambrolauri are operational, the tour operator does not consider them as a means of transportation.

The schedule of the flights is often unknown and the flights are being cancelled very often.

According to the Ecotourism Association, nor the infrastructure neither the locals in all target municipalities will be ready to serve increase number of the tourists, thus when speaking of the tourism development it should be tied to minimal infrastructural development as well.
Access to Vocational Education In terms of vocational education related to tourism and agriculture: currently, the vocational college located in Mestia Municipality does not offer any programs in agriculture, although there is a wish to initiate such programs.

The college territory provides an opportunity to have a practical teaching related to beekeeping in its own yard.
The college is also considering to start the dual programs and has already discussed the possibility of dual program with the local farmer starting up an animal farm.

Finding a land for various purposes seems to be problematic in Mestia Municipality.

The college wanted to establish a campus although land has its historical owners, government tried to negotiate this land although at the end they gave up in order to avoid the conflict with the locals.
The similar problem was faced by Mountain Resort Development Agency when initiating the adventurous tourism park project on Tetnuldi or Hatsvaldi, the land is owned by private owners and it is very difficult to acquire land currently.

In terms of tourism, the college has programs for cultural guides, cooks, restaurant and hotel management.

From September 2019 mountain guide program short and full will be available in the college as well.
Certified mountain guides course is also being offered by Mountain Guides Association and according to the college representative, the collaboration between these two is possible.

There is a very high demand on the graduates of the college, although according to the college representative the tourism in Mestia has developed very fast and the college was unable to catch up with the demand of the market.
Tourism related courses are interesting for all genders and the employability rate is very high among the graduates.

The college has been working with the small groups of people due to the quotas established from the Ministry of Education, although the quotas are expected to get higher from the new academic year.
The college director mentioned having a person with a disability, even though the person has graduated a field not related to tourism it should be mentioned that his integration levels into the society are very poor.

“Usually they are very difficult, he is always trying to defend himself and then his relations (with outside world) are complicated.

He always thought that he was bullied.” – College Tetnulidi, Director.
122 6.1 Needs, barriers, problems of vulnerable groups in the target regions Any efficient policy needs solid legislative basis to start with.

Gender equality and social inclusion policy is no exception.

In Georgia, these policies started with the adoption of the UN regulations, followed by the new national laws.

These new developments need to be harmonized with the already existing other relevant laws and regulations.
For example, in order to support development of gender equality for rural women, a policy should also consider necessary legislation on work, business and agriculture, which should address gender equality.
As the UN study showed, regional, agricultural and economic development policies lack gender perspective.77 Also, since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2006, necessary changes in the local legislation still await to be introduced.78 Georgia has adopted number of laws and regulations to address gender equality: the Law of Georgia on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination; the Law on Gender Equality; Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) - the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No.
100) and the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No.

111) (for legislative documents see web-site https://matsne.gov.ge/).

Chapter 14 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) calls states to consider problems of rural women and ensure their participation in agriculture.
Rural women should have the rights and opportunities to participate in public and decision-making processes, have access to land, bank loans, market, technologies, water supply, transport, communication, etc.79 The special report of the Gender Equality Council at the parliament of Georgia considered the law on Gender Equality too general.

It is recommended that the law should contain provisions on gender mainstreaming, gender budgeting and monitoring, including collection of the gender segregated data.
Up to now, the government of Georgia does not have an established approach to gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting, the corresponding training module for public servants does not exist.

Also, the law should contain provisions of work contracting, vacancy announcements (currently, being quite discriminatory), organizational policies, etc.

These regulations should address private sector as well.
The law should also abide employers (with certain number of employees) to work out internal gender equality plan and to report on it periodically.80 The Gender Equality Council National Action Plan 2018-2020, among others, envisages regulation of working relations in the chapter 2, specifically, it calls for introducing new model and respective legislative changes of parental leave and the new package of legislative amendments of the Labour Code of Georgia and the other laws.81 77 UN Women.

(2016).
(2016).

Gender Assessment of Agriculture and Local Development Systems.

78 EMC.

(2018).

Monitoring of the implementation of human rights-related strategies and action plans (2016-2018 years).

79 UN.

(1979).

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

80 Gender Equality Council of the Parliament.

(2018).

Gender Equality in Georgia: Barriers and Recommendations.

2018.

81 Gender Equality Council (2018).

Action plan.

2018-2020.


123 The national action plan for the Law on Gender Equality is now incorporated in the human rights action plan.
The Human Rights Action Plan of 2018-2020, envisages number of tasks: 1. harmonize Georgian legislation with the international work regulations; 2. conduct gender analysis of legislation; 3. appoint gender advisors in municipalities, 3.collect gender segregated data; 4. support women in small and micro entrepreneurship and agribusiness; 5.rise awareness on gender issues.82 There is a clear lack of synergy between gender equality policies, discussed above and the relevant work, agricultural and regional development policies, discussed below.
Strategy of Agriculture Development of Georgia 2015-2020, considers 7 directions, however, gender is mentioned in 2 directions only and envisages inclusion of women in economic activities and gender segregated data collection, in addition, these have not been realized yet.83 Strategy and corresponding action plans of “Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development Strategy of Georgia 2016-2020” states encouragement of women entrepreneurs as one of the priority goals, which might be considered as positive, albeit a very general provision lacking specific mechanisms.84 Similarly, National Forestry Concept of 2013, as well as Strategy and NAP of Biodiversity of 2014 call for equal involvement of women and men in decision making processes and support of women empowerment.85 As discussed in the Gender Equality Council report, 201886, the Social-economic Development Strategy of Georgia 2020 is gender blind.
As the recent Gender Equality Council’s report states, agricultural and regional development policies are not coordinated with gender equality policy.
For example, amendments to the Labour Code are needed according to the Law on Gender Equality and the Law on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (2014).87 In terms of the social inclusion of disadvantaged groups, Georgia has adopted number of international regulations: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), 2006; European Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities 1995, ratified in 2005, State strategy for civic equality and integration 2015-2020; Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO): the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No.
100) and the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No.
111); as well as the national laws and regulations: the Law of Georgia on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination; the Law of Georgia on Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities; the Law of the Development of High Mountainous Regions; the Law on Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories of Georgia; the Social-economic Development Strategy of Georgia 2020; the Ordinance of the Government of Georgia on the State Program for Professional Training and 82 Governments of Georgia.
(2018).

Human Rights Action Plan of 2018-2020.

83 Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia.

(2015).

Strategy of Agriculture development of Georgia.

84 Ministry Of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

(2016).

Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development Strategy of Georgia 2016-2020.

85 Georgian Government.

(2014).

On Approval of Georgia's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2014-2020.

86 Gender Equality Council of the Parliament.

(2018).
(2018).

Gender Equality in Georgia: Barriers and Recommendations.

2018.

87 UN women.

(2018).

Gender Analysis of the Labour Market Regulations in Armenia and Georgia.

124 Retraining and Qualification advancement of the Job Seekers; The Concept of Social Integration of Disabled Persons 2008 (for legislative documents see web-site https://matsne.gov.ge/).
The extensive list of the disadvantaged groups is provided in the Law of Georgia on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination, which is “intended to eliminate every form of discrimination and to ensure equal rights of every natural and legal persons under the legislation of Georgia, irrespective of race, skin colour, language, sex, age, citizenship, origin, place of birth or residence, property or social status, religion or belief, national, ethnic or social origin, profession, marital status, health, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, political or other opinions, or other characteristics”.88 Action Plans are very important documents to analyse the legislative framework as well as the government’s vision of how to realize a given policy.
Human Rights Action Plan 2018-2020 includes the following disadvantaged groups that need to be addressed especially.

These are: • Ethnic and religious minorities • Persons with special needs • IDPs89 This document states that the above listed groups should not be discriminated and should be given favourable conditions.
The provision 18.1.8 states that the existing legislation should be revised and discriminative texts erased, pointing once more to the need of coordination and harmonization of legislative documents.

Human Rights Action Plan of 2018-2020 Is the state’s most relevant document to address discrimination of people based on their disadvantageous positions.
It states that Georgia should work on creating equal conditions and discrimination free environment for vulnerable persons, such as: disabled persons, internally displaced, women, religious minorities, ethnic minorities.90 The Ordinance of the Government of Georgia on the State Program for Professional Training and Retraining and Qualification advancement of Job Seekers 2018, lists all GESI groups as those to be given priority in applying for the program.91 Needs of disabled are addressed in the Social-economic Development Strategy of Georgia 2020: "Besides economic efficiency, the Government's economic policies will be guided by principles of social security and social justice.
Reduction of unemployment and provision of dignified labour conditions of people, orientation towards quality and accessible education, health care and basic social welfare systems are tools for implementing those principles" p.4, and further states need for capacity development of "persons that face danger of discrimination in the labour market (handicapped people etc.)"

p.4092.

The 88 Parliament of Georgia (2014).

Law of Georgia on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination.
89 Governments of Georgia.

(2018).

Human Rights Action Plan of 2018-2020.

90 Governments of Georgia.

(2018).

Human Rights Action Plan of 2018-2020.

91 Government of Georgia.

(2018).

Ordinance of the Government of Georgia on State Program for Professional Training and Retraining and Qualification advancement of Job Seekers.

92 Government of Georgia.

(2014).

Social-economic Development Strategy of Georgia 2020.
125 same document addresses the poverty problem and states that it shall be addressed through all measures listed.

The Law on the Development of High Mountainous Regions established additional financial incentives for those residing in the high mountains, such as increased pension or salaries, as well as reduced maintenance costs and tax privileges established by the Tax Code of Georgia in relation to income tax and property tax.
“Business entities which, in accordance with the legislation of Georgia, have been granted the status of high mountainous settlement enterprise shall be exempt from taxes under the terms and rules defined by the Tax Code of Georgia”.93 The Law on Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories of Georgia also envisages financial support, albeit almost symbolic, as well as helps in other problems, including help in finding jobs according to their professions and qualifications.94 One of the main characteristics of the local Georgian context is low economic development of the country in general and rural areas, especially mountainous regions, specifically.
According to the World Bank report, 2017, 21.6% of population was poor and 8.3% lived in extreme poverty.95 Low income prevents rural population from even having ID cards as its 30 GEL fee is unaffordable.96 People living in rural areas are mostly involved in agriculture, but its income-generating level is low, it makes only 9% of GDP and mainly consists of subsistence agriculture.97 Respectively, rural population wishes to have jobs outside of the sector as these are considered as permanently bringing small, but regular income.
Agriculture does not provide this opportunity as the products are produced in small quantities mainly for household consumption and are not easy to sell, thus, can only bring small, unstable income.

In addition, the conditions for agriculture business development are restricted by the underdeveloped infrastructure, lack of access to irrigation water, land and land cultivation equipment and other necessary plant treatment products, sewage and garbage disposal systems.
These disproportionately affect women and girls, including lack of access to water in the buildings for household needs as well as for farming, for example, for cattle.98 Contextual interaction theory states that in order for a policy to be implemented, the actors or those who are implementing it need to have sufficient capacity - knowledge, expertise, resources and power.99; 100 Implementation of a gender equality policy unfolds on a symbolic level as the governmental, local governmental and non-governmental agencies lack capacity and expertise in understanding the role, aims 93 Parliament of Georgia.
(2015).

Law on the Development of High Mountainous Regions.

94 Parliament of Georgia.

(2014).

Law on Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories of Georgia.

95 World Bank.

(2017).

Country Poverty Brief, Europe and Central Asia, Georgia.

96 Gender Equality Council of the Parliament.

(2018).

Gender Equality in Georgia: Barriers and Recommendations.

2018.

97 National Statistics Office of Georgia.

(2016).

Gross Domestic Product of Georgia, 2016.

98 UN Women.

(2018).


Gender Assessment of Agriculture and Local Development Systems in Georgia.

99 Spratt, K. (2009).

Policy Implementation Barriers Analysis: Conceptual Framework and Pilot Test in Three Countries, Washington, DC: Futures Group, Health Policy Initiative.

100 Owens, K. (2008).

Understanding How Actors Influence Policy Implementation: A Comparative Study of Wetland Restorations in New Jersey, Oregon, The Netherlands and Finland, PH Diss., University of Twente.
126 and function of gender equality and need awareness raising.
The same problem exists regarding other vulnerable groups in the country, for example, still medical model of SEN persons operates in Georgia, while implementation of social model is long due.101; 102 Number of stakeholders, interest groups and the public defender point to this gap, however, according to experts, only now, with support of the UN agencies, the government plans to implement a social model, however, for only children under age of 18 and only after the model is considered successful, implement it for others.
The current situation can be characterized by a number of barriers disadvantaged groups face on their way to inclusion in rural policy, agriculture and business activities.

For people with special needs, the main barrier is un-adapted public spaces, accessible infrastructure and information, lack of mechanisms that enable these people to participate in public life.
Hence, lack of people with SEN employment and involvement in public activities, which is also underestimated as there is insufficient data on these people and their needs.
The existing data show that less than 5% of disabled persons used the opportunity to get employed offered by the state through the portal - www.worknet.gov.ge - became employed on a temporary basis in public organizations, private sector data is missing.103 The awareness of employers on disability issue is low; they only consider wheelchair users or visual impairments when asked about disabled.
In addition, they do not welcome hiring such people however, experiences of those who already have hired people with disabilities are quite positive (IPM, 2014b).104 Government initiated encouraging employers to hire people with disabilities through a special financial plan: the state covers 50% of a disabled person’s salary for the first 4 months of his/her employment (limit: up to 470 GEL).
Georgia has adopted ordinance №11105 on this issue, however, lack of data makes it almost impossible to evaluate the effect of this approach.106 These problems exist everywhere and while minor steps have been taken in Tbilisi, no changes are traced in regions.

The concept of reasonable accommodation should be considered by the national legislation first and then be implemented.107 There are two main waves of IDPs in Georgia from the 2 wars in 1992 and in 2008.
IDPs are accommodated either in special settlements, built for them by the government, or, in collective centres.

Collective centres that are unused public buildings since communist times in deteriorated conditions at present, like hospitals, factories, schools.

The living conditions are very bad including lack of space, sanitary facilities, 101 EMC.

(2014).

Guideline of implementation UN’s convention on people with disadvantages right (UNCRPD).

102 Ombudsman.

(2017).


Alternative report to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by Human Rights National Institute - the Public Defender of Georgia (Ombudsman).

103 EMC.

(2014).

Guideline of implementation UN’s convention on people with disadvantages right (UNCRPD).

104 IPM.

(2014b).

Survey on an employer attitude towards employment of people with disabilities/special educational needs.

105 Government of Georgia.

(2018).

Oridnance №11 106 EMC.

(2018).


Monitoring of the implementation of human rights-related strategies and action plans (2016-2018 years).

107 International Labor Organization.

(2013).

Inclusion of People with Disabilities in vocational training: A practical guide.

International Labor Office – Geneva.

127 no running water, etc.


Many IDP families are unemployed and under the poverty level, which does not allow them to improve their living conditions, in addition, they have difficulties with healthcare, education and integration into a local community108.
Human Rights Monitoring and Education Centre (EMC) regularly monitors situation in terms of rights of religious minorities for the last 10 years and its main findings stay unchanged: the government employs discriminatory policy where preference is given to the Orthodox Church, even on legislative level.

In 2014, a special agency on religious issues was established; however, it even strengthened the gaps between the Orthodox Christian and other religious institutions.
Problem of marginalization of religious minorities is much stronger in regions.

The Human Rights Protection Action Plan 2016-2017 contains a separate chapter that addresses problems of religious minorities; however, it was not grounded in research and did not include voices of religious minorities.
Hence, legislation still contains provisions that provide more favourable conditions to the Orthodox Church, including financing; religious minorities face problems when they want to have place for worship; many cases of religious discrimination remain unaddressed.109 All studies that look at the gender equality situation worldwide consider women’s double burden, e. i. household work that they perform over and above their employed or self-employed work, the work that is not paid and is not recognized as work per se.110 This brings additional complexity to the picture, as neither men nor women perceive household duties as work.
Women, who are responsible for taking care of children, are not looking for jobs until their children come of a certain age.

One of the barriers be lack of access to kindergartens, or day-care centres for children.

According to the UN Women agriculture study, some 30.8% of the population does not have access to a kindergarten.111 According to another UN Women study, women spend 45 hours a week on household activities, which is an equivalent of a full-time job.
In addition, “the burden of family care work is no smaller among employed women compared with either unemployed women or women outside the workforce”.

Women in rural areas spend even more, 56 hours at home, while men spend 15 hours a week for household activities.112 This unequal condition is strengthened by the perceptions of men and women who, see this as a natural thing and thus, do not seek for ways out.
According to the same study, women engage in agricultural work 80 days more than men do, but earn about 50% less than men do.

ILO report informs that women work three times more than men, “The majority of the care work worldwide is undertaken by unpaid carriers, mostly women and girls from socially disadvantaged groups.

Unpaid care work is a key factor in determining both whether women enter into and stay in employment and the quality of jobs they perform.”113 108 ACT, 2016.
Strengthening Capacity for Prevention and Response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Georgia.

109 EMC.

(2018).

Monitoring of the implementation of human rights-related strategies and action plans (2016-2018 years).

110 UN Women.

(2018).

Women’s Economic Inactivity and Engagement in the Informal Sector in Georgia.

111 UN Women.

(2018).

Gender Assessment of Agriculture and Local Development Systems in Georgia.

112 UN Women.

(2018).


Women’s Economic Inactivity and Engagement in the Informal Sector in Georgia.

113 International Labor Organization.

(2018).

Care work and care jobs for the future of decent work.

128 According to the Gender Equality Council report 2018, horizontal and vertical gender segregation is present into Georgia’s economy.
In horizontal segregation, women are occupied in less prestigious and correspondingly, less paid sectors, while in vertical segregation, women work at low paid positions.

This segregation leads to gender pay gap.

114 According to the National statistics office of Georgia, pay gap is one of the barriers, women earn 36% less than men in public sector 115 at the same time, women and men are equally engaged in informal sector, where they earn 40% less than in formal sector as this study found out.
According to the economic inactivity study, however, women are more engaged in informal sector, than men but with lower income116.
Based on the traditional understanding, according to which women are considered to stay home and look after family members, they are less engaged in paid work: 20% of women admitted that they do not work, because their husbands wanted them to stay home, while 2% of men brought up the same reason.117 Another important issue is access to land ownership, as, according to the traditional understanding, men are considered as almost sole heirs; while women are considered to marry into another family, therefore, land, house and other property belong to men.
Men possess 70% of land, while women - 30%.118 Women face barriers when applying for bank loan, as they have no possessions as guarantee.

Women can borrow from micro-financing organizations; however, their interest rate is higher.

Traditional gender role understanding affects inclusion of women into decision making processes locally, including local government, various advisory groups or community meetings.
Women are less informed about such meetings and are not called to them as this is considered as male sphere, therefore, women lack opportunities to provide their voice, and also, they lack opportunities to attend trainings carried out by local governments, extension services, TVETs and/or development organizations.119 The UN CEDAW committee feedback on the 4th and 5th reports of Georgia calls for support of rural women, to ensure that they have access to basic services, and equal opportunities to be involved in public life and decision-making processes.
It recommends to establish kindergartens in villages and monitor land ownership via gender segregated data.120 Some activities were undertaken on the way of the gender equality policy implementation in regions, gender budgeting and gender advisory groups among these.

These can be considered as a step forward, albeit with certain drawbacks.

114 Gender Equality Council of the Parliament.

(2018).

Gender Equality in Georgia: Barriers and Recommendations.

2018.

115 National statistics office of Georgia.


(2018).

Men and Women in Georgia.

116 UN Women.

(2018).

Women’s Economic Inactivity and Engagement in the Informal Sector in Georgia 117 UN Women.

(2018).

Women’s Economic Inactivity and Engagement in the Informal Sector in Georgia.

118 UN Women.

(2016).

Gender Assessment of Agriculture and Local Development Systems.

119 Gender Equality Council of the Parliament.

(2018).

Gender Equality in Georgia: Barriers and Recommendations.

2018.
2018.

120 CEDAW.

(2014).

Concluding observations on the combined fourth and fifth periodic reports of Georgia, CEDAW/C/GEO/CO/4- 5, 24 July 2014, para 33 129 Gender budgeting is one of the opportunities to involve women in decision making over the budgetary issues and bring in their own perspective on their income-generating activities that men do not see as they are to a smaller extent involved in executing these tasks.
The idea was introduced to local governments; however, it has not gained sufficient attention mainly resulting in minor additions to local budgets.

Therefore, development of gender budgeting approach might be one area of work of this and other similar projects.
The underdevelopment of this approach might be caused by lack of proper explanation or training of people at places, in addition, this is a difficult concept to grasp as it requires a systematic understanding of gender equality and barriers on its way.

I would recommend a perspective taking training at places to establish basis for understanding women’s perspective.

Gender Equality Council, 2018 recommends to require local governments to work out gender budgeting.
Gender advisory groups were created at local municipalities; however, this innovation is similarly underdeveloped, mainly because of the same reasons as above: lack of gender equality understating and only a superficial application of some ideas.
As advised by the Gender Equality Council report 2018, local governments should be carrying out analysis of their own programs through a gender equality perspective, what impact they have on men and women.121 This initiative is given a slow development, first from an initiative, it turned into a law in 2017 and the gender advisory groups are created at about 40 municipalities today (out of 79) and their expansion is envisaged in the Gender Advisory Council Action Plan.
However, no provision was made in the law regarding building capacity of these civil servants.

Disadvantaged groups are excluded from decision making, employability; also, they face barriers in accessing services.

The first and one of the most important barriers is access to information.
On the one hand, the relevant information is available through internet, but, on the other hand, some disadvantaged groups cannot use this service as, they cannot afford internet costs, or lack necessary literacy to be able to retrieve the information.

Poor people, especially in remote areas and mountain regions, IDPs, those of age and disabled – all face this problem.

Because of this, quite often, they are not informed about available trainings, special programs, etc.
This barrier has to be considered in realization of the current project activities and special measures introduced to reach out for these groups.

Even after managing to invite the representatives of vulnerable groups to participate in community meetings, local government meetings, where all relevant decisions are made, women, IDPs, or minorities lack self-confidence and quite often just sit in, without giving their voice.

A special effort is needed to encourage these people to express their opinion.
Sex-disaggregated data is only collected by the National Statistics Office, but not at places, by the local governments, the same concerns data on minorities, disabled, etc.

Gender equality information is insufficient, but, comparing to the other disadvantaged groups, in a better condition, for example, there is no data on barriers ethnic, or religious or sexual minorities face in obtaining jobs, grants, loans, etc.
Overall, issues of women’s and other vulnerable groups’ economic empowerment as well as equal opportunities lack strategic approach, followed by lack of legislation harmonization, gaps in coordination among different actors., as well as lack of systematic approach and full-fledged policy, including regular 121 Gender Equality Council of the Parliament.

(2018).

Gender Equality in Georgia: Barriers and Recommendations.

2018.

130 data collection on relevant indicators.


Regarding minorities, IDPs, people with disabilities etc.

determination of marginalized/vulnerability status, e.g.

according to age, ethnicity, minority, disability etc.

The current study collected data with the focus on gender, economically disadvantaged, IDPs, HHs with a person with a disability.
The table below provides distribution of vulnerable groups in the target regions as per 2019 Geostat, IDFI and Ministry of Internally displaced persons from the occupied territory: Table 18 -Sex, IDPs and minority group distribution in target regions in percentages Municipalities - o e r g e m a S ) a i t s e M ( i t e n a v S d n a i m u h k h c e L - Municipalities women/men 52/48 52.3/ 47.6 51.3/ 48.7 52.3/ 47.7 52.3/ 47.7 52.4/ 47.6 53/47 50.3/ 49.7 Religious minorities Ethnic minorities IDPs People with SEN Unemployme nt level 0.96 0.9 1 0.4 0.02 0.47 12.4 − − − 1.2 1.2 − − − 0.8 0.3 0.75 1 0.9 0.2 0.52 0.1 − − − 0.02 0.37 0.26 0.48 11.9 12.4 − − − 0.5 0.3 − − − i r e g a s T 53/47 i n O 53.3/ 46.7 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.8 − − − − − − Source: National Statistic Office of Georgia, 2019; The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), 2015; The Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, 2014 The table data shows that sex ratio is equal, percentage of poor population is quite high, while other marginalized groups constitute less than 1%.
Relatively small size of these groups creates additional barriers for them to bring their voice to decision making and to advocate for their rights.

In line with the traditional gender role distribution in a family, where women are responsible for the most of the household tasks, conditions of the everyday life affect women and girls stronger than men and boys.
For example, if families reside in high rise buildings with water supply shortage, mostly women carry heavy vessels with water for washing, cooking etc.

They have to do it several times a day and, in addition, many such buildings lack elevators.

The survey in the target regions found out water supply problems in Imereti region, 49% of its population listed water supply among the top 5 problems and only 36% of population reported having 24-hour water supply.
72% of Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti respondents reported having 24-hour water supply and 13% listed it among the top 5 problems in the region.

92% of Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti population reported having 24-hour water supply and 16% listed it among the top 5 problems in the region.

Problem of water quality is the most acute in Imereti region, with 42% 131 of population complaining about, 20% of population complains about in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and 8% - in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti.
Having tap water inside the house is reported by 45% of the respondents, among these: 43% of population in Imereti, 53% - in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and 39% - in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti.

This is the problem for women mostly, because they use water for house chores regularly.
The survey did not reveal statistically significant difference by sex in satisfaction with the water supply, however, a certain tendency can be traced - women are unhappier than men, thinking that water supply is always or sometimes bad.

Statistically significant difference, however, was found in the water quality assessment where more women assess it as bad than men: 40% versus 32%.
Poor economic conditions were listed among top 5 problems in all regions and in all regions problems of not enough income and unemployment are on the top three places in the list, while high interest rates for loans are among the top 5.

At the same time, the economic conditions in the studied three regions vary, with Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti being the most advanced and Imereti being the least developed.
In the Imereti region (municipalities of Sachkhere, Tkibuli and Chiatura), agricultural activities are main sources of income for a majority of families, tourism is less developed, unemployment is high, in addition, only about 20% of employed work according to their education, as estimated by the focus group participants.
Participants think that, overall men and women have equal chances for employment in their respective traditional fields- men are mostly employed at construction works outside of the region, elsewhere in Georgia as well as abroad, for example in Germany and Turkey.

Also, in Tkibuli and Chiatura, men work in mines.

The rest of the jobs, like schools, medical facilities, small shops, are mainly staffed by women.
At the same time, the income/salaries in construction and mining, according to the focus group representatives, are 2-3 times122 higher than in the other sectors, thus, women earn much less than men, however, this is not considered or recognized as gender pay gaps by the focus group participants.

In addition, women have not even thought about a possibility for their husbands to help them and/or do some traditionally women’s tasks, such as cleaning, ironing, washing, cooking.
Traditional views are that women should lay the table and even bring a glass of water to men in a family.

In terms of tourism, women are mainly involved in hotel services, fulfilling traditional gender roles, also, women serve as museum guides, however, such museums are very few and the salaries are very small.

Thus, a traditional horizontal segregation of gender roles is present.

In future, when tourism develops, more men would be employed as mountain guides or guides in natural parks.
Focus group representatives mentioned that quite lot women are employed as mountain guides as well.

Participants of focus group discussion in Lentekhi and Tsageri think that men have higher chances for employment not only on construction works, but in public services as well.
Women gather wild fruit in 122 Information on salaries of miners from official sources varies: according to the company: Georgian Manganezi, average salary for workers in mines is 900 GEL, Chiatura mine workers report that their highest salary is 800 GEL, while the lowest is 240 GEL.

Salaries in mines of Tkibuli vary from 700 to 900 GEL.

Salaries in kindergartens are around 200 GEL.


https://jam- news.net/%E1%83%AD%E1%83%98%E1%83%90%E1%83%97%E1%83%A3%E1%83%A0%E1%83%94%E1%83%9A- %E1%83%9B%E1%83%90%E1%83%A6%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%9D%E1%83%94%E1%83%9A%E1%83%94%E1 %83%91%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%AE%E1%83%94%E1%83%9A/?lang=ka; glovit-daighala http://liberali.ge/articles/view/37488/qalaqi-romelits- 132 forests, or work in orchards and get fruit and greens.
Incomes are generally low, some men get 25 GEL per day at constructions, but women get 10 GEL per day for hotel services, like cleaning, cooking, washing.

Salary in a library, which is filled up by women, is 70 GEL per month [woman, 49 years, Tsageri].

Tourism sector jobs are seasonal, which decreases annual income.

Recently, family hotel business has started in Ambrolauri and Oni, where more women than men are involved.
Average daily income for seasonal work is 30 GEL per day for men and 10 GEL per day for women.

Interview data with non-governmental representative in Ambrolauri also confirms horizontal segregation on job market: “the largest problem is public jobs, where women are on middle level at maximum, while men – on the top level” [woman, 55 years, Ambrolauri].

Women complain about working conditions, for example, business owners of restaurants, cafes, hotels, never pay for overtime work.
There are kindergartens in the region, however, they only accept children after 2 years of age, so, women have no other choice than stay home and look after them.

At the same time, parental leave is 6 months only, so, there is a clear gap between ages of 6 months of a baby until he/she gets 24 months old.

One of the respondents from Ambrolauri told her own story of losing the job even after the job training because she was pregnant.
Another problem in the health care, people in small towns and villages, even in the regional centres have to visit doctors far away from their homes, for example, there is no maternity department in Oni, no specialist to carry diagnostic examination via ultrasound.

The respondents think that lack of medical services might be an obstacle for tourist business as well.
In the region of Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti (municipality of Mestia), the overall economic situation is different from the other regions, as tourism business is developed, many households are involved in this business either directly, or through selling agriculture products; the same concerns focus group participants.

In addition, maintenance fees are covered from the country budget, so, electricity and water supplies are free for them.
It is not surprising, therefore, that employment in public sector is considered as less preferable because of low salaries.

These jobs are mainly filled by women: “a teacher’s salary is small, not sufficient for anything; no one could live on it, so I run a small business, rent out a room” [woman, 55 years, Mestia].

Relatively high paid public jobs are in small amount and hold by men, for example, police and security jobs are almost exclusively filled out by men and their salaries are much higher.
Hence, local men do not want to work on construction business for 30 GEL per day as they consider it too small income and prefer doing nothing, according to the focus group participants.

According to their assessment, regular employment is for about 30% of population, including both public and private sectors.

1000 GEL per month is considered a good salary, in addition, men working in woods earn even more and would not agree to work for even such high salary.
In contrast from the other regions, focus group participants think that women have higher chances to be employed as almost all of them are involved in tourist business, no matter what income.

Men are involved as mountain guides and transporting goods and people in cars as well as horse riding as entertainment for tourists.
Men are more involved in agriculture, than tourist business, the horizontal segregation is widespread here, men’s tasks are to take cattle to winter pastures and cut grass, which is mostly seasonal work, while women work all year.
However, focus group participant women admit that men’s work is more appreciated and “visible” than the same or even more effort of women: “it has always been like this, women’s work is invisible” [woman, 46 years, Mestia] “that is why we need to speak out and praise ourselves, still, nobody hears us “[woman, 40 years, Mestia].
133 Despite the described differences, horizontal and vertical segregation is clear in all target regions, as well as the gender pay gap, however, these are not recognized by locals, they perceive this situation as normal.

Women are free to use their income as they wish, unless they are victims of economic domestic violence, which, according to the recent data, is recognized by 9.6% of population in Georgia.
Traditional family responsibilities prevent women from work in all three regions - the main obstacle for women to work is small children, in some villages there is a problem of kindergartens, but “husbands do not forbid their wives to work, such thing does not take place here” [woman, 53 years, Mestia].
In Imereti, women admit that in some cases husbands forbid wives to work based on traditional views, “they are scared that women might do something wrong” [woman, 29 years Chiatura village, woman, 20 years, Sachkhere village], meaning that they might have an affair with their male colleagues.
Similar to Sachkhere, in some cases husbands or parents in law forbid wives to work based on traditional views, “in Tsageri, for example, a husband does not allow his wife to work at the hotel” [woman, 49 years, Tsageri].

Thus, young women have to stay home either because their husbands do not allow, which can be considered as economic form of domestic violence, or, because they have to look after small children.
There are public kindergartens in Sachkhere, so the minimum requirements are fulfilled, children stay there until 6 in the afternoon; however, the participants are not satisfied by the quality of service, especially education of children.

They think the way out would be opening private kindergartens.

12% of the respondents’ report selling their products.
Those women, who are actively involved in agriculture business, meaning that they produce more than is needed for household consumption and, correspondingly, sell these on the market, are less involved in corresponding trainings - in the Imereti region, women have not been involved in any trainings on agriculture activities, neither have they heard about these, at the same time, they are ready to take part in such trainings.
On the contrary, according to focus group participants, women in Mestia are usually informed about trainings by the local government representatives.

About 40% of the respondents own their houses or apartments and out of these, mainly men are the owners – 65%, while women – 31%.

Similarly, about 40% of the respondents’ own land plots, 32% are women and 68% are men.

This disproportional ownership becomes a serious obstacle for women if they want to get a loan, or if they divorce.
Men are traditionally considered as breadwinners and heads of their families.

This masculine tradition is so strong that husbands still maintain their dominant status even when their wives take over the breadwinner role.

In general, a man is a leader in a family [woman, 33 years, Oni; woman, Ambrolauri], 66% of the survey respondents name men as the heads of families.

At the same time, decisions are nowadays made jointly.
This advancement is seen in the survey data - about 60% of the respondents report that decisions are made jointly by husbands and wives, and in all types of family decisions - how to spend money, to get education, how to run business and agriculture related activities - in average, about 5% more wives are sole decision makers, than husbands.
These percentages are similar across the regions, with one exception of Mestia, where equal 26% of respondents think that decisions on agriculture related activities are done by either husbands or wives.

Overall, women in Mestia and Lentekhi municipalities, according to the individual as well as the focus group interviews, are more independent and active 134 nowadays.
According to the woman activist in Mestia, in the beginning of the tourist business development women were not allowed to work at hotels and cafes, but now they are.

These data point to the role of business/economic development play in gender stereotype change.

Overall, Mestia experience in tourist business can provide valuable information on power dynamics as well as other aspects of gender equality and social inclusion.

The decision-making power in all spheres of public life is different, however.
The power is predominantly on men’s side and they are not willing to withdraw.

In general, men are threatened by women’s empowerment, for example, power threat is the main obstacle for accepting of gender quotas (in public life) all over the world and in Georgia, particularly.

Therefore, this obstacle is more difficult to overcome.

Outside of family, women are involved in decision making at their jobs, if these are mainly staffed by women.
In the Tsageri school the only men is a director, the rest are women, correspondingly, they participate in decision making processes.

But, women are much less involved in local government decision making, for example, in discussions of budgets “I think that the one man only prepares budget document” [woman, 57 years, Tsageri] “women should be involved more in decisions on such a global issue, but here, only a couple of women are active, the rest is under shadow” [woman, 70 years, Lentekhi].
We, women want to contribute to decision making on budget, on main activities at places, however, men do not let us in” [woman, 40 years, Mestia, woman, 52 years, Mestia].

“Only men are present at such meetings, once I sneaked, and I was the only woman… This is a mountain law, women’s opinions are never asked” [woman, 53 years, Mestia,].
5% of the respondents’ report having a disabled person in their family, and situation of some is even harder as their family’s main source of income is pension and living allowance – 86.7% versus 61.6% of those who do not have disabled in their household.

Only 19.3% of those who have disabled in a family have income from private business, versus 31.5% of those who do not have disabled in their family.
Correspondingly, more of those who have a disabled in a household consider various living conditions as bad: Table 19 -Assessment of living conditions by households with disabled members Roads Public transportation Sewage system Waste management service communication Financial services Local government Recreation zones, sport facilities Entertainment theatre, theatres clubs, services, movie Having disabled in a family Do not have disabled in their family 18.8% 31.1% 14.0% 24.3%, 31.2% 45.0% 9.3% 17.2% 5.2% 13.4% 19.9% 34.5% 11.3% 19.4% 22.5% 37.5% 63.5% 33.7% These differences point to the fact that the listed services lack accessibility for disabled, ramps, for example, or hearing aids, etc.
The highest difference, about 30% is in case of entertainment facilities, most 135 probably, most of these buildings were built many years ago with no consideration of disabled and have not been remodelled according to the principle of reasonable accommodation since then.
Logically, enough, among the top 5 problems households with disabled list is health care - 76.4% versus 51.1% of those who do not have disabled in a family, as well as lack of income - 97.4% versus 85.2% of those, who do not have disabled in a family.
Poor people constitute 12% of the population, their source of income is almost exclusively living allowance, hence, they have insufficient money even for food - 67.5%, versus 43.6% of not poor, respectively, they think that their family does not feed adequately – 49.2%, versus 34.7% of not poor, does not pay taxes timely, or not at all – 13.9%, versus 4.5% not poor.

Fewer poor people have possessions - internet supply/Wi-Fi – 9.8% versus 26.2% of not poor, washing machine - 58.3%, versus 78.
9% of not poor; pc – 9.8%, versus 27.2% of not poor; refrigerator – 85.4%, versus 93.0% of not poor; car – 9.7%, versus 34.9% of not poor; no gas supply through pipes – 62.4% versus those who are not poor – 33.5%, and complain more about living conditions: Table 20 - Assessment of living conditions by poor households Walls and floors in bad condition Roof in bad condition No sewage high humidity No gas supply No heating Lack of space Poor/Beyond the poverty line Not poor 67.9% 48.7% 56.0% 59.0% 48.4% 19.2% 13.6% 40.2% 25.2% 40.6% 42.1% 29.4% 13.6% 9.1% Poor people, logically enough, use forest resources more than not poor, for hay – 17.9%, versus not poor – 9.9%; for firewood - 63.4% versus not poor - 50.0%; and for berries: 8.4% versus 5.8% of not poor.
Logically, enough, among the top 5 problems poor people list is unemployment - 75.8% versus 63.8% of not poor, as well as lack of income 94.5% versus 88.6% of those, who are not poor; housing – 53.2%, versus 23.8% of not poor; public transportation – 16.5%, versus 9.2% of those who are not poor.
About 3% of the respondents’ report having IDPs in their family and, they are unevenly distributed among the target regions; 10% in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti, 7% in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and only 1% in Imereti.
As expected, they want to change their residential place – 28.6%, versus 6.4% of those, who do not report having IDPs in their families; IDPs want to change this place to be closer to their relatives – 50.0% versus 27.8% of those who do not report having IDPs in their families; and to improve their living conditions – 20.0% versus 5.6% of those who do not report having IDPs in their families.
Families with IDPs live mostly in houses - 57.1%, the rest lives in apartments – 28.6%, hotel - 5.7% or hospital buildings – 2.9%.
Among the problems with living conditions, they name the following: 136 Table 21 -Problems with living conditions of households with IDPs Walls and floors in bad condition Roof in bad condition High humidity Lack of space Households with IDPs 51.4% 45.7% 51.4% 22.9% Households without IDPs 41.9% 29.2% 42.5% 7.8% IDP families, logically enough, use forest resources more than families without IDPs, for firewood - 74.3% versus families without IDPS - 58.8%; and for berries - 11.4% versus families without IDPs - 7.8%.
Households with disabled persons distrust government by 42.8% versus 33.6% of the households who do not have disabled persons, court - 37.4% versus 25.2% of the households who do not have disabled persons, non-governmental organizations - 36.4% versus 25.3% of the households who do not have disabled persons, and international organizations - 27.2% versus 19.2% of the households who do not have disabled persons.
Households with IDPs distrust government by 48.6% versus 35.8% of the households, who do not have IDPs.

Overall, families with disabled and IDPs trust government less, but trust international organizations and NGOs more than the rest of the population, it is possible that they receive support from these organizations more than from the government.
These data might be used in the future activities planned in the regions, for example, involve representatives of the most trusted institutions in campaigns, and other activities.

The following subchapter considers human resources in the target regions, those individuals and organizations, the project can rely on and cooperate with to fulfil the goals set.
6.2 Organizations, responsible for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion problems According to the Law on Gender Equality, chapter 13, gender equality councils at local governments are created in all municipalities of Georgia, the process was finished in 2018.

The next step for these newly established councils would have been development of action plans for years 2019-2020, however, we were able to obtain only 2 such plans from Tkibuli and Ambrolauri municipalities’ websites.
In addition, the ones provided lack financial support for the majority of planned activities that raises serious doubts on the possibility of realization of these activities.

The members of gender equality councils represent local government and municipality as well as local population.

The detailed information about the members of these councils is provided in the table below.

Contact information of one member of every council, who, is a secretary, is also provided, with the exception of Ambrolauri.
Besides the gender equality councils at local governments, there are gender equality officials in each municipality, at the mayor’s offices.
The table contains their information as well: 137 Table 22 - Gender equality councils and persons, responsible for gender equality issues in the target regions Gender Equality Council- Contact person Responsible person on gender equality issues at Mayor’s office Municipalities Mestia Ambrolauri Oni Tsageri Lentekhi Tkibuli Gender Equality Council- Member Numbers 12 17 22 16 9 25 Khatia Tsiklauri, 595089530; batildisi@gmail.com Bela Abaishvili Nino Jmukhadze, 59101 0338; onissakrebulo@gmail.com Marika Kopaliani, 598186424; kopaliani.marika@yahoo.com Irine Liparteliani, 599852668 Izolda Nemsadze, 599951280; izonemsadze@gmail.com 8 Chatura Ketevan Khvedelidze, 577017877 chiatura.mun@gmail.com; khvedelidze@yahoo.com Ia Kiparodze, 558364040; iakiparoidze@yahoo.com Source: Gender Information network of Sought Caucasus, 2019 Sachkhere 11 Khatia Tsiklauri, 595089530; batildisi@gmail.com Marika Dvali, 595534004; marikadvali@yahoo.com Magdana Maisuradze, 591010440; Magdaamaisuradze@gmail.com Makvala Kopaliani, 591956080; 599278968 Mediko Khvistiani, 599852 685; medo-555@mail.ru Inga Phartskhaladze, 595414730; inga.parcxaladze@mail.ru Eter Abesadze, 577017836; eabesadze7@gmail.com Leila Goshadze, 599100152; Goshadze1969@mail.ru The municipality representatives do not have exact information about gender equality councils’ activities, they know that the councils follow their planned activities.
The interviews with members of the gender equality councils admit that their functioning is limited and no specific programs are carried out, they have no budget and correspondingly, very limited resources.
The gender equality machinery at the national level is presented in the table below: Table 23 - Gender equality institutions on the national level State Institutions Chairperson/Minister Gender Equality Council of the Parliament of Georgia Tamar Chugoshvili, (32)2281126; tchugoshvili@parliament.ge Inter-agency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against Women and Domestic Violence Sopho Japaridze 138 State Institutions The Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia Social Service Agency Chairperson/Minister Ekaterine Tikadze, (32)2510026; info@moh.gov.ge George Tsotskolarui, 1505; info@ssa.gov.ge Also, on the regional level, at the governors’ administrations, there are officials responsible for gender equality and their corresponding information is provided below: Table 24 - Officials responsible for gender equality at the governors’ administrations in the target regions State Representative-Governor’s Administration Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Responsible person on gender equality issues Nana Kakachia, 591417715; nanakakachia@gmail.com Meri Revishvili, 599030465; meri.revishvili@imereti.gov.ge Ilia kenchadze, 599968975; tvitmmartveloba.rls@gmail.com Source: Gender Information network of Sought Caucasus, 2019 Overall, there is a lack of information about activities of each of these bodies and officials, as well as lack of information about coordination of their activities with each other within a region.
There is a clear lack of non-governmental organizations working on gender, women’s, or other vulnerable groups’ issues in the target regions; in addition, no activities can be traced through their websites, if any.

Trust in NGOs is reported by 49% of population in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, 35% - in Imereti and 37% - in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti.

Overall, non-governmental organizations representation in these regions can be assessed as extremely limited.
The tables below provide the information on these organizations, including relevant national level NGOs: Table 25 - Non-Governmental organisations on the national level Non-Governmental Organizations Anti-Violence Network of Georgia Women’s information Centre Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association Association of young Economists of Georgia Multinational Georgia Tolerance and Diversity Institute The Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center Tamta Mikeladze, (32)2223306; info@emc.org.ge Manager/Head Nato Shavlakadze, (322)950679; antiviolence@avng.ge Elene Ruseckaia, (32)2952934; office@ginsc.net Sulkhan Saladze, s.saladze@gyla.ge Kakha Daushvili, (32)2922839; kdaushvili@economists.ge Arnold Stepanyan, 595959565; info@pmmg.org.ge Eka Chitanava, (32)2912762; tdigeorgia@gmail.com Avtandil Jokhadze, (32)2355154; info@cipdd.org 139 Table 26 - Non-Governmental organisations in the target regions Municipalities Non-Governmental Organizations Manager/Head Mestia Women from Mountainous Regions Activist, former member of the above organization Rusudan Nakani, 599549142; ruso- nakani@rambler.ru Nargis Niguriani, 598342420 Anti-Violence Network of Georgia, Ambrolauri Nino Sokhadze, 551586207; nana.soxadze@yahoo.com Ambrolauri Self-government resource centre of Racha- Lechkhumi, lower Svaneti Nino Sokhadze, 551586207; nana.soxadze@yahoo.com Association - “Zekari” This organization works with teachers and might be a good liaison as well.
Developmental Fund of Tkhibuli Municipality Is active working with young generation Tkibuli Activist Manana Bochorishvili, 599930760; manana_b@list.ru Ketevan Gotsiridze, (0497)221372; 599247508; tdf_georgia@yahoo.com Luiza Laperadze, 599927133 luiza.laperadze@gmail.com Trust - Overall, about 60% of the respondents’ trust (strongly and partially) their local governments everywhere except in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti, where trust is expressed by about 40% of the respondents.
54% of the respondents’ trust court in Imereti region, 48% - in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and only 21% - in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti.

Trust in police is reported by 70% of the respondents in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, 75% - in Imereti and 80% - in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti.

Trust in church is reported by 98% of the respondents in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, 94% - in Imereti and 84% in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti.
Trust in media is reported by 74% of the respondents in Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, 70% - in Imereti and 38% - in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti, Trust in NGOs is reported by 49% of the respondents in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, 35% - in Imereti and 37% in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti, and international organizations are trusted by 55% of the respondents in Imereti region, 53% - in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and 33% - in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti.
The survey revealed some statistically meaningful gender differences in trust of different institutions – more women distrust political parties and the government, while more men distrust the parliament, local government, media and non-governmental organizations: • 53.4% of women distrust political parties versus 33.6% of men • 44.8% of women distrust the government versus - 34.8% of men; • 22% of men distrust media versus 14% of women; • 37% of men - distrust non-governmental organizations versus 27% of women; men -.
140 • 48% of men distrust the Parliament versus 36% of women; • 36%of men distrust local government versus 24% of women.

Despite the limited capacity and power of non-governmental organizations in the target regions, it is still advisable to involve them in the project - ask their advice at the minimum and, at the maximum, involve them in the project activities as well as use their resource in reaching out for vulnerable population – women, girls, disabled, poor, IDPs.
For example, Ambrolauri NGO - Self-government resource centre of Racha-Lechkhumi, lower Svaneti - has experience of work with women, disabled, former prisoners not only in Ambrolauri and its villages, but in 3 other municipalities – Lentekhi, Oni, Tsageri.

The only one NGO in Mestia is inactive, therefore, no NGO alliance should be expected here.

Instead, women activists might be involved.

141 7.
141 7.

Assessment of Gender and Social Risks and Impacts of the Project Implementation The findings about gender equality and social inclusion conditions in the target regions coincide with the overall picture in the country as presented in the inception report.

The data obtained after the inception report enabled us to see the situation in more details and focused on the target regions.
As a result, the following main risks were identified and addressed in the tables 25 and 26 as well as in the recommendations.
Table 25 deals with the specific needs, access to resources and services, access to information, control of assets, participation in decision-making, capabilities and decision-making powers of marginalized and vulnerable population in the target regions: Table 27 -Needs, barriers and accessibility of the vulnerable groups in the target regions Specific needs Access to resources and services Access to information Control of assets Women and girls equal opportunities, advocate for their own rights.
Limited access to jobs, income or access to low paid jobs mainly, lack of kindergartens; water supply problems, especially in Imereti; low access to birth giving facilities at places.

Low access to information on trainings, except Mestia Unequal.

Land, as well as houses are mostly owned by men, this creates additional barriers for getting loans.

Women have less opportunity to influence decision IDPs income generating opportunities, social protection scheme limited access to housing, income.
Poor income generating opportunities, social protection scheme limited access to housing, public transportation, jobs, income, food, internet, home appliances Disabled Reasonable accommodation – special arrangement of environment, transportation, special health care needs.

limited access to roads, transportation, jobs, income, health care, communication, financial, entertainment, sports facilities and services Low access to information on trainings, business opportunities.
Low access to housing, income generating activities which lead to over usage of forest products; less opportunity to influence decision Low access to information on trainings, business opportunities.

Low access to information on trainings, business opportunities.
Low access to ownership, housing, income generating activities which lead to over usage of forest products; less opportunity to influence decision Low access to income generating activities; less opportunity to influence decision making on community level.

142 Poor IDPs Disabled making on community level.

making on community level.

____ ____123 ____ ____ ____ ____ Women and girls making on community level.

Women are victims of economic domestic violence, except Mestia.
Low on village, community, local government level, closer to equal in a family.

The project activities, as well as its sustainable outcomes should not be creating any additional risks of natural disasters, which, itself is high.

Increase of tourist amount might create need for additional health care measures.
Limited access to jobs, income Limited access to jobs, income ____ Limited access to jobs, income Participation in decision- making and decision- making powers Assessment of poten tial health, security or safety risks of local communities due to potentially increased traffic and transportation (pollution) as well as vulnerability to landslides, other natural catastrophes or extreme weather conditions; The risk of potential exclusion from benefits deriving from the utilization of cultural heritages The table below provides the main existing risks for marginalized and vulnerable people in the scope of the foreseen intervention (different vulnerable groups share most of the potential risks.
Exclusive risks are provided separately): 123 Information is missing; however, we might as well assume that these vulnerable groups are also underrepresented 143 Table 28 - Impact and Risks Related to the Development of Mountain Tourism, Increasing Number of Tourists and Organic agriculture in the Target Regions # Potential Impacts and Risks Recommendations on Social Safeguards / Mitigation Measures Equal access to information about new opportunities, trainings, etc.

1.
1.

Likelihood: high Significance: high ✓ Plan special outreach measures in close cooperation with local government and NGOs, local activists, find out where and when to reach these groups and provide the needed information.

✓ Use local TV companies for spread of information ✓ Provide trainings for local population, including vulnerable groups about the possible new opportunities created by the project activities and outcomes.
Timeframe: At the planning stage of the project Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact Urgency: 5 Providing voice in decision making, especially on local budget, village development programs and plans, environment protection, etc.

2.

Likelihood: high Significance: high Monitoring required: Yes.

The project assigns this responsibility to the implementation group member, who regularly informs the team.

✓ Plan special outreach measures in close cooperation with local government and NGOs.
✓ Make a project representative be present at such meetings/ facilitate such meetings to encourage these people in expressing their opinion.

✓ Provide training/awareness rising for decision makers.

Timeframe: At the planning stage of the project Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact Urgency: 5 Equal Access to new jobs - women have less opportunities due to vertical and horizontal segregation; lack of kindergartens; time spent on home activities, economic form of domestic violence.
Poor, disabled have fewer opportunities due to lack of chances to get educated and/or properly trained to be fit for jobs.

3.

Likelihood: high Significance: high Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact Monitoring required: Yes.

The project assigns this responsibility to the implementation group member, who regularly informs the team.
✓ Provide training/awareness rising for business owners on issues such as equal pay, work conditions, overtime remuneration, help with children, flexible working hours, etc.

✓ Provide information/awareness rising for local governments on the need for kindergartens ✓ Provide skills trainings for vulnerable groups Timeframe: At the planning stage of the project Urgency: 5 Monitoring required: Yes.

The project assigns this responsibility to the implementation group member, who regularly informs the team.
144 # Potential Impacts and Risks Recommendations on Social Safeguards / Mitigation Measures Emerging competition within communities that might impede business development Likelihood: moderate Significance: high 4.

✓ Provide trainings for local population, including vulnerable groups about the possible new opportunities for cooperation within communities; for example, a small hotel would need to purchase milk and dairy products from local farms, etc.
; Timeframe: during the project realization Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact Urgency: 5 Monitoring required: Yes.

The project assigns this responsibility to the implementation group member, who regularly informs the team.

Increase in non-registered Business Activity /Compliance with national regulations ✓ Provide training/awareness rising for business owners ✓ Provide skills trainings for vulnerable groups Likelihood: high 5.
Significance: high Timeframe: At the planning stage of the project Urgency: 5 Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact Monitoring required: Yes.

The project assigns this responsibility to the implementation group member, who regularly informs the team.

Equal access to land, house ownership, getting loans – this problem is the most acute for women, but it also persists with poor and IDPs.

6.
6.

Likelihood: high Significance: high Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact ✓ Provide training/awareness rising ✓ Work on special loan schemes for vulnerable population Timeframe: At the planning stage of the project Urgency: 5 Monitoring required: Yes.

The project assigns this responsibility to the implementation group member, who regularly informs the team.
Access to health care services and safe roads ✓ Supporting strengthening capacities of local services to monitor increased traffic and transportation (pollution) safety norms and standards on the roads and on the constructions.

✓ Providing first aid trainings for local population 7.

Likelihood: moderate Significance: High Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact Exclusion from use of cultural heritage, loss of cultural identity, cultural values - for 8.
Timeframe: during the project realization Urgency: 5 ✓ Monitoring required: Yes.

The project assigns this responsibility to the implementation group member, who regularly informs the team.
✓ take special measures for spread of information to reach out for vulnerable population ✓ Work out special mechanism/scheme of involving vulnerable population in cooperation with local governments 145 # Potential Impacts and Risks Recommendations on Social Safeguards / Mitigation Measures disabled, poor - due to lack of access to transportation and information, low income.
Likelihood: High Significance: High ✓ ensure inclusion of the local population in tourism product development to consider the local knowledge, transform the values into products Timeframe: At the planning stage of the project Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact Urgency: 5 Monitoring required: Yes.

The project assigns this responsibility to the implementation group member, who regularly informs the team.
The local governments do not apply the GRB policies ✓ cooperate with the international and local organizations which work on this issue ✓ cooperate with local government representatives/members of Likelihood: high Significance: high gender equality councils ✓ provide trainings on GRB 9.

Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact Timeframe: At the planning stage of the project Urgency: 5 Monitoring required: Yes.
The project assigns this responsibility to the implementation group member, who regularly informs the team.

✓ Take special measures to support vulnerable groups – provide trainings, free internet access Timeframe: At the planning stage of the project Urgency: 5 ✓ Monitoring required: Yes.

The project assigns this responsibility to the implementation group member, who regularly informs the team.
Low chances for income generating offered by the project activities - The IDP and poor population, who have bad housing conditions, cannot afford rent out for tourists and attract corresponding income, and poor population will be limited in advertising for their potential products through internet 10.

Likelihood: High Significance: High Reversibility & duration: Reversible impact 146 8.
Environmental (including climate action), Gender and Social Impacts and Risks Management and Sustainability Plan The chapter below includes integrated compilation of the findings and recommendations of the activities to be implemented and monitored by the GRETA project in order to avoid, mitigate and sustainably manage the environmental (including climate action), gender and social impacts and risks that might result from the project activities in the targeted municipalities of Georgia.
The recommendations are based on the conducted baseline studies and on the EIA, CCRA, GIA and SIA and include proposed mitigation measures and sustainability opportunities to be implemented and monitored during the project realization period.

The established indicators are proposed to be used for monitoring purposes and are being measured against the baseline situation and the relevant targets.
Ways of defining and verifying of those indicators are also suggested, as well as the responsible party identified.

Recommended actions are presented according to the components where possible impact is to be expected.

Further, the actions are categorized based on the two directions of the project: Sustainable Mountain Tourism, and Organic Agriculture.

As some impacts could be expected from the both directions, those mitigation measures are given in combined recommendations.
In addition, the actions aiming at enhancement of the sustainability opportunities are also recommended.
The components include: water quality, water supply, wastewater, solid waste, plastic waste, littering, hazardous waste, inert waste, land use, pasture land, soil nutrient content and pollution, protected areas, non-timber forest resources, timber resources, spread of zoonotic diseases, biodiversity and wildlife, environmental pollution, forest fires, natural landscapes and habitats, climate change and GHG emissions, social inclusion of the vulnerable groups of population, fair distribution of project’s benefits, compliance with national regulations.
Taking into consideration proposed actions, some changes in the project logical framework and progress monitoring scheme might become necessary in order to ensure that GRETA is implemented according to the all applicable ADA environmental, gender and social standards.
8.1 Recommended actions to avoid or mitigate possible negative impacts and to enhance sustainability opportunities by GRETA project Climate Change related actions – Sustainable Mountain Tourism Among target municipalities of GRETA project, Oni and Mestia municipalities are distinguished for high vulnerability to climate change, while other municipalities are characterized by low vulnerability.
Vulnerability assessment of the mountain tourism to climate parameters in Georgia has identified that the sector is highly vulnerable to extreme air temperatures (strong frosts and heats), abundant precipitation and associated floods and mudflows (damage of relevant infrastructure), as well as snow cover, the parameters of which play an important role in operation of ski resorts.
The sector is characterized by medium vulnerability to mean air temperatures and precipitation, air humidity and pressure (impact on health), wind, cloudiness, droughts, while by low vulnerability – to hail and thunderstorm.
It is recommended that the project contribute to the following specific climate change 147 vulnerability and adaptation measures during implementing activities related to development of the sustainable mountain tourism especially in Oni and Mestia municipalities: • Supporting strengthening capacities of local meteorological services and establishment of the local weather forecast and early warning services for timely provision of information on expected hazards and recommendations on preventive measures.
The information shall also include communication about risks associated with winter tourism (e.g., on snow cover, anticipated avalanches, increasing temperature and humidity, etc.)
and be available to the population residing in the high-risk areas and major infrastructural facilities (mainly on roads) located in the hazard prone areas; • Examination of the climate change induced risks on touristic routes, and ensuring inclusion of the local population for considering local knowledge and experience in the risk assessment process; • Development of the safety rules for the movement on the tourist routes, and made available for tourists upon arrival in hotels and tourist service centres.
Relevant trainings for touristic guides should be conducted; • Strengthening capacities of the rescue services and establishment of the well-equipped special medical service to enable prompt arrival to the scene of accident and provision of the required assistance.
Establishment of the adequately equipped rescue teams staffed with professionals are established in the regions (one in each) and provision of regular trainings; Organization of volunteers, as a reserve force in the activities directed at the elimination and minimization of the impact of natural disasters; • Supporting continuous monitoring of climate change and its negative impact on tourism and considering results by supporting alternative forms of mountain tourism in the process of tourism sector development and planning.
The international experience, including the experience of the Alpine region could be considered.

Climate Change related actions – Organic Agriculture The agricultural sector of Georgia is closely associated with climate change.

The following subcategories are being identified as the source of greenhouse gases: Animal enteric fermentation (including sheep breeding), management of organic fertilizers (manure), agricultural soils, and field burning of agricultural residues.
In 2013 emissions from agriculture amounted to 2.732 Gg CO2equivalent, accounting for 16% of national GHG country emissions.

Organic agriculture has a potential to reduce emission of GHG from this sector, increase carbon storage capacity of soils and reduce the area of degraded soils.
Current and expected impacts of climate change on the agricultural sector in Georgia are shown mainly as: Change of the vegetation periods of plants, shifting of agro-climatic zones, the reduction of productivity of current crops and the necessity of the introduction of climate change resilient species, increased areas of irrigated lands and increased demand on irrigation water, decreased productivity of agricultural lands and increased degradation of soils, increased impact of pests and diseases on agricultural productivity (e.g.
brown marmorated stink bug), and increased harvest losses due to frequent extreme climate events.
148 The impact of climate change on agricultural crops considering moisture change by municipalities has been evaluated and aggregated index of moisture change impact has been calculated taking into account the sensitivity index and two exposition indicators –– temperature increase in summer months and precipitation change in the same period for each of the targeted municipalities (see relevant chapter of the EGSIA-RMSP report).
It is recommended that the project contribute to the following specific climate change vulnerability and adaptation measures when implementing activities related to development of the organic agriculture: • Development of hydrometeorological service and network for planning seasonal farming activities or improvement of agricultural insurance packages; • Conducting inventory and conditions of soils under agricultural crops taking into account climate change, undertaking special studies to determine changes in soil fertility and recommending measures for improvement of soil fertility; • Supporting municipalities in developing, planning and implementing specific agrotechnical measures and programs for improvement of soil fertility; • Developing Capacity of agricultural extension services in climate change adaptation (including climate resilient crops) measures and modern climate-smart agricultural technologies (raised bed, mulching, using drip irrigation, no-till and mini-till technologies for the soil processing, using modern, high-yield crop varieties etc.)
by developing and implementing programs for regular retraining of the personnel of agricultural extension services and improvement of physical infrastructure of these services; Water resources related actions - Sustainable Mountain Tourism The tourism industry generally overuses water resources for hotels, swimming pools, sports areas and personal use of water by tourists.

This can result in water shortages and degradation of water supplies.
Although the issue of water scarcity is not of a particular concern in the target regions, this can contribute to the depletion of the fresh water resources.

In the locations where the water comes from wells, over pumping can cause saline intrusion into groundwater.

Increased amount of the wastewaters generated from touristic services and lack of water treatment facilities can cause pollution of surface and ground waters, and soil also potentially affecting fish fauna.
Expected impact of the GRETA project’s tourism activities on water and sanitation in the targeted regions largely depend on the scope and exact location.

The targeted municipalities differ in terms of access and availability to water resources and sewage systems.

Therefore, the proposed mitigation actions need to be specified when specific activities in each targeted location will be known and approved.
• Capacity building of the local authorities and tourist service providers on management of waste waters from guest houses and hotel facilities; • Supporting design, planning and implementation of the wastewater treatment facilities in the target regions; • Supporting waste-to-energy opportunities including sanitation/waste water sludge.
149 Water resources related actions – Organic Agriculture Intensification of the agricultural activities causes the increase of pesticides’ and synthetic fertilisers’ use, which leads to pollution of groundwater.

In organic agriculture, those are replaced by organic fertilizers and mechanical measures against pests or use of greater biodiversity, enhancing soil structure and water infiltration.
Well managed organic systems with better nutrient retentive abilities, greatly reduce the risk of groundwater pollution.

Still, increased number of biodegradable/ vegetal residues due to growing agricultural activities as well as increased use of manure and slurry in organic agriculture might have an adverse impact on the quality of fresh water resources.
More intensive sheep-farming and livestock sector can harm water quality through the release of nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients, pathogens and other substances into waterways and groundwater, mainly from manure.
The following actions could be recommended: • Support households-beneficiaries in composting of organic materials; • Support introduction of biogas technology as a clean source of energy which will also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere and produce valuable by-products for fertilization purposes.

• Support planning and implementation of activities to develop capacities on sanitary standards of animal farming including those related to manure management.
Waste management related actions - Sustainable Mountain Tourism Only a small part of the local population uses the environment friendly technologies and considers negative consequences of their activity on the environment.

There are no touristic business service providers in the target region currently using the standard of international system of ecological management recognized by the state (ISO14000).
Increased amount of the waste from touristic facilities (including those providing food and beverage) can create sources of pollution from illegal damping sites in the forests or near the water bodies.

Due to increased number of people, in areas with high concentrations of touristic activities improper waste disposal and littering might increase.
More waste generated by tourists includes hazardous waste such as: batteries removed from electric devices, cell phones, laptops, children’s toys, shaving equipment’s etc.

Unfortunately, this hazardous waste is disposed on landfills or in environment.

The quantity of waste luminescence lamps that currently are widely used instead of traditional light bulbs will also increase.
Luminescence lamps contain mercury and when not properly recycled and end to landfills, it can cause significant negative effects on environment and human health.

It is persistent environmental pollutant with bioaccumulation in ecosystems.

Increased number of tourists and touristic facilities can lead to increased usage of bottled water, hence – increased plastic waste.

Generally, tourists tend to use more bottled water as they might not trust or question the quality of local drinking water source.
As currently the separate collection and recycling practices are not in place, improper treated plastic bottle waste can contribute to environmental pollution.

The same can be mentioned in relation to plastic packaging for the lunch boxes, which local guesthouses offer to take with for the excursions.

150 The project may also contribute to the increased amount of inert and construction waste.
As there is no officially allocated landfill for inert waste disposal, this type of waste is often illegally disposed directly in environment or at the municipal landfill together with the other types of waste.

The following actions are recommended for reducing negative impact related to waste management: • Encouraging touristic business service providers in the target region to use the standard of international system of ecological management recognized by the Georgia (ISO14000).
• Capacity building of tourist service providers in waste management.
Training and instructions of the respective personnel in waste management practices and procedures; • Awareness rising campaigns and trainings for general public, including for small children on the importance of proper waste management and disposal; • Supporting local authorities of the target municipalities in organization of proper waste management, including separate collection, recycling, waste production prevention, circular economy, improvement of packaging of local products sold to tourists, especially around tourist hubs; • Support target municipalities in implementation and Enforcement of Municipal Waste Management Action Plans (2018-2022) and waste monitoring programs; • Encourage guesthouse owners to conduct laboratory testing of the drinking water from natural sources and of tap water and to make the results of the tests (certificates) available to the tourists, indicate drinking water sources on the tracking maps and making them available for tourists, provide multi-use water containers to be filled from tap or from natural sources, provide portable lunches in biodegradable packaging instead of plastic packaging; • Encourage separate collection of plastic bottles on the premises and research the ways of their re-use or recycling locally; • Conduct risk assessments of current waste management in mountain areas, including potential risk for downstream areas from both large and small-scale waste dumping; • Support establishment of household hazardous waste collection facility in each target municipality and safe recycling of household hazardous waste by a permitted waste handler or an authorized recycling facility; • Support establishment of take-back programs (e.g.
containers and packaging, while selling new lamps businesses will have to take back and recycle used ones); • Support activities on separation of solid waste materials into hazardous, non-hazardous and reusable waste streams; • Promotion of more environmentally friendly rechargeable Li-ion batteries; • Assess the situation regarding inert waste disposal opportunities (especially, in Mestia) and identify location for waste disposal.

Support storing the inert waste temporarily on site, in secure facilities.
Collection and disposal of all construction waste at designated location.

Forest resources related actions – Sustainable Mountain Tourism and Organic Agriculture Forest resources can suffer from the negative impacts of tourism in the form of forest degradation and deforestation caused by increased fuel wood collection.

High demand can be placed upon timber and fuel 151 wood for construction of touristic facilities and for providing tourists for proper heating, hot water, cooking, etc.
Ski resorts and infrastructure may also be a cause of deforestation.

Potential impact may be caused on non-timber forest resources in case of unsustainable collection by locals and tourists.

Collection of the wild berries from the forest is widely spread in almost all regions in Georgia especially in the project’s areas, in the target municipalities.

However, unsustainable harvesting practice can sometimes lead to the over-harvesting of the products.
Production of natural colorants could also create pressure on the local forest resources as it requires vast areas of land and uses non- timber resources from forest.

More presence of people in forest might aggravate risk of the forest fire caused by human negligence.

Statistically, only 5% of forest fires are caused by natural processes, the greater majority of the – 95% are due to human negligence.
The following mitigation actions are proposed: • Assessment of the energy demand for heating and cooking by project beneficiaries and generally by the tourist service providers in the target municipalities and studying alternatives to fuel wood; • Support introduction and usage of alternative heating sources by tourism service suppliers, e.g.
introduction of solar thermal applications for water and room heating in guesthouses and other facilities; • Assess the energy efficiency needs of the project beneficiaries and provide support in meeting energy efficiency standard; • Development of the collection of wild berries has to be based on the sustainable manner and the users should be aware of the basic guidelines while harvesting non-timber products in the forest.
Identification fire risk areas; • • Support awareness raising activities among touristic service providers and guides, and tourists on fire related issues; • Support relevant state institutions (forest management institution, emergency services) in planning and implementation of fire prevention and firefighting measures.
Biodiversity and Protected Areas related actions – Sustainable Mountain Tourism and Organic Agriculture Generally, organic agriculture is characterized by having more positive effects on the biodiversity compared with the conventional, non-organic agricultural production.

Organically farmed areas have on average 30% more species and 50% more individuals, than non-organic ones.
In particular, birds, predatory species, spiders, soil dwelling organisms and field flora benefit most from the organic management.

Rare and endangered plant species and ground beetles are also proved to be in higher diversity and density on organic farms.

However, to preserve a rare and endangered fauna species on the organic farms, additional strategies, such as adapted species protection programmes might be necessary.
Semi-natural lands are higher in organic areas then in non-organic ones, which create favourable condition for preserving biodiversity.

Organic and eco-sustainable farming is particularly suited to farms situated within the protected areas.

Such farms are not polluted from external sources.

Besides, protection from the predatory birds and insects is crucially important for the protection of plants.
PAs guarantee such 152 protection by the presence of wild areas providing a natural habitat for those species.

Organic agriculture does not harm local ecosystems because it does not use pesticides and promotes biodiversity.
Development of multifunctional farming in such areas has a potential to generate income and create employment opportunities, stability and social cohesion, whilst promoting the maintenance and extension of farming practices which preserve and increase landscape and biological diversity and expand the number of recognized local products.

Negative impacts from the development of the organic agriculture might include increased risk of spread of zoonotic diseases from animal farming activities.
Wildlife reservoirs can help perpetuate infective cycles within local livestock.

This poses a great challenge for zoonotic disease control in pastoral communities due to the difficulty of limiting direct and indirect interaction between wildlife and livestock species.

The vulnerability to this factor is increased in Georgia by using the shepherd dogs, and non-existence of electric fences.

Intensified bee keeping may have negative impact on native bees.
Negative impacts on biodiversity and protected areas from the activities related to the development of sustainable mountain tourism might include disturbance and migration of wildlife due to increased number of visitors and their movement in the habitats (noise, vibration, movement); Littering in the nature, inaccurately disposed waste and pollution around waste containers due to increased amount of waste generation; The following actions are recommended: • Support planning and implementation of activities to develop capacities of local actors on undertaking proper sanitary control measures; • Provide information to the beneficiaries on existing regulations in agricultural sector, including food safety and proper sanitation, e.g.
requirement to use only licensed slaughter houses; • Application of One Health approach to controlling zoonotic transmission will be required, considering animals, people and the environment in a comprehensive approach to public health; • Prior agreement with the beneficiaries to plant native flowers and to facilitate nesting sites for native bee species by leaving dead branches and bare dirt accessible; • Awareness raising about the importance of native bee species; • Avoid overpopulation of one area with too many honeybees; • Identification highly sensitive areas – local biodiversity hotspots and species in order to avoid or limit presence of tourists in such areas; • Training tourist service providers and guides on how to instruct the tourists and plan the tours; • Support in planning and implementation of mitigation measures, such as granting protection status, including designation and management of the planned protected areas.
Preservation of Local Landscape Actions – Sustainable Mountain Tourism Local landscape, scenic views and authentic character of the villages may be impacted in case of changing traditional architecture and using of non-traditional construction materials by constructions for creating 153 new touristic facilities.
The following actions might be implemented to avoid negative changes in local landscape: • • Facilitating elaboration and approval of local development plans (Master Plans) that will regulate Identification of sensitive areas that are likely to be affected by such new developments; new constructions and delineate boundaries of settlements; • Conducting awareness raising on the importance of preserving authentic architecture; • Support in planning and implementation of protection actions, including support in the process of designation and management of the planned protected areas.
Soil Protection Actions –Organic Agriculture Generally, organic agriculture impacts positively on soil structure and enhances the water-holding capacity and hence availability of water.

Increased humus content, for instance, allows the soil to absorb more water during periods of heavy rainfall, reducing the runoff of surface water and soil erosion.

Greater holding capacity means that the soil can then supply plants with sufficient amounts of water in extreme droughts.
Possible introduction of permaculture agriculture might further enhance benefits by supporting optimal using of local resources and promoting positive, environmentally friendly image of the region.
The following actions are recommended for enhancement sustainability opportunities offered by organic agricultural practices: • Supporting application of the management practices used by organic agriculture such as minimum tillage, organic soil cover, returning crop residues to the soil, the use of rotations, and the integration of nitrogen-fixing legumes in order increase the return of carbon to the soil, raising productivity and favouring carbon storage; • Capacity building of local farmers through training and awareness raising on sustainable use of land resources, avoidance of application of chemicals in agriculture, plot rotation and sustainable pasture and soil management.
• Assess and support waste-to-energy opportunities especially from organic waste and agricultural • residues; In cooperation with relevant educational and research institutions support studies on assessment of opportunities of introducing permaculture in Georgia, and providing general information to project beneficiaries; • The project activities can encourage and motivate farmers in the target areas to use uncultivated agricultural plots, which are currently abandoned; • The positive environmental impacts resulting from promotion of the organic agriculture activities of the GRETA project can be enhanced and replicated in the other regions of Georgia.
The negative impact of the agricultural development on soil can be associated with the increase of uncontrolled overgrazing of the pastures, and resulting degradation of pastureland; The unsustainable grazing practice, that are widespread in Georgia is caused by several factors: (1) Current situation of ownership and control is conflicting.

Due to the lack of proper registration of state-owned pastures (i.e.
154 borders and surfaces are not defined, land is not mapped, the lack of documentation and demarcation) the leasing of pastures, particularly mountain pastures, which are often used informally and free of charge by local or nomadic herders is problematic.

(2) Pasturing is self-regulated among local and nomadic pasture users, meaning that shepherds are free to lead their herds to locations with best grass growth.
(3) All regions of Georgia use continuous grazing system, where the pasture is not divided into sub- pastures or paddocks.

Livestock are allowed access to all the pasture area at any given time.

Continuous grazing often creates overgrazed areas, causing replacement of the original vegetation by unpalatable or grazing-resistant species and leading to lower species diversity.
The following mitigation measures migt be implemented by the project: • Capacity building of local farmers through training and awareness rising on sustainable use of land resources, sustainable pasture and soil management; • Support rotational grazing and development of pasture management plans; • Calculating the carrying capacity of the pastures for project locations and using it for development of the pasture management plans.
Actions related to Social and Gender impacts and opportunities – Sustainable Mountain Tourism and Organic Agriculture Development of mountain tourism and increasing number of tourists in the target regions as well as development of agriculture, including organic agriculture, would lead to development of different businesses linked to hospitality – hotels, recreational and entertainment facilities, museums, cultural heritage sites and correspondingly, increased employment rates of local population, who will be involved in agricultural, construction, marketing, maintenance and service activities.
These, should lead to increased income of local population which, in turn, might lead to such potential benefits as improved housing, health care, education.

At the same time, vulnerable population that faces barriers caused by their special conditions, risk to underuse the above described opportunities and enjoy corresponding benefits to a lesser extent.

All types of marginalized population face a risk to be excluded from being employed, trained/educated, and informed about new developments.
In addition, the disabled population faces barriers with transportation, accessibility of various buildings and facilities, communication.

The IDP and poor population, who have bad housing conditions, cannot afford rent out for tourists and attract corresponding income, and poor population will be limited in advertising for their potential products, especially, through internet.

Women, especially those with small children, will not be available for existing job and training opportunities.
Considering that women and vulnerable groups do not recognize and admit structural inequality problems and thus, do not advocate for their rights, the project leaders should address special measures to involve these groups as beneficiaries.
The following actions are proposed to mitigate existing risks for marginalized and vulnerable people in the scope of the foreseen intervention: • Establish cooperation with local government representatives/members of gender equality councils who should be actively involved in the project activities as well as encouraged to use 155 GRB principles in program budgets (provide trainings on GRB if needed), to reach out for vulnerable population, facilitate their participation in decision making; work on opening more kindergartens, improving water supply, etc.
; • Encourage local government representatives/members of gender equality councils to collect full relevant data, segregated by gender, as well as all types of marginalized groups, including information on ethnic and religious minorities.
These data are necessary for creating a baseline to be able to evaluate impacts of future interventions; • Establish cooperation with international (UN WOMEN, for example) and local organizations which work on GRB to learn and use their experience of implementing gender equality principles in program budgets; • Provide project relevant skills trainings (including cross-cutting skills, such as advocacy) for representatives of vulnerable groups; • Provide training/awareness rising for business owners on issues such as equal pay, work conditions, overtime remuneration, help with children, flexible working hours, etc.
• For ensuring equal participation in the decision-making, plan special outreach measures in close local government and NGOs and facilitate meetings to encourage cooperation with representatives of marginalized and vulnerable groups to express their opinion; In order to provide equal access to information about new opportunities, trainings, etc.
in close cooperation with local government, NGOs and local activists plan special outreach measures for representatives of vulnerable groups and for women who have to stay home and look after their small children.
Use local TV companies for spread of information; • • Encourage project beneficiaries to facilitate as much as possible access to all types of jobs for women; • Provide trainings for local population, including vulnerable groups about the possible new opportunities created by the project activities and outcomes, as well as new opportunities for cooperation within communities, for example, a small hotel would need to purchase milk and dairy products from local farms, etc.
; • Encourage project beneficiaries to offer new jobs to the representatives of the vulnerable groups and to avoid risk of offering them low paid jobs; • Cooperate with international and local organizations, both governmental and nongovernmental, including research institutions, to plan experimental and/or quasi-experimental evaluation studies of future intervention programs.

Such studies are quite frequent in developing countries, however, almost non-existent in Georgia.
Detailed analysis of Mestia situation might be used as a case study by focusing on the questions like: what has changed after development of tourism in terms of business, income, education, etc.

Have the conditions, accessibility of vulnerable groups improved since?

• Provide trainings for the staff of international and local organizations involved in the project activities on needs of women and other vulnerable groups, structural inequality in the country.
156 8.2 Indicators for measuring potential environmental, gender and social risks and impacts and for monitoring the effectiveness of their mitigation measures Identification of the measurable and realistic indicators are of the crucial importance for assessing the anticipated impacts from the project’s activities, as well as for monitoring of the results of the adverse impacts’ mitigation measures.
For each component, were the likelihood of the potential unfavourable impact caused by GRETA activities was determined during the environmental, gender, and social impact analyses, the Indicators were identified.

The proposed indicators are advised to be used for measuring such risks and impacts as well as for monitoring the effectiveness of their mitigation measures to be implemented by the project.
There will be need to further refine many of the recommended indicators as the precise location, nature and scale of the specific activities of the project intervention became known.

For some components, were the specific, reliable data was non-existent, additional studies will be required in order to establish the specific baseline.
Table 29- List of Indicators for measuring environmental, gender and social risks and impacts and their mitigation measures (by components) Indicator/measuring unit Quality of drinking water in the project areas - assessed against national drinking water standards Quality of water used for irrigation - assessed against national irrigation water standards Level of pollution with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides Component Water quality Potential impact/risk Increased number of biodegradable/ vegetal residues due to growing agricultural activities, increased use of manure and slurry in organic agriculture Increased risk of spread of zoonotic diseases due to more intensive animal farming activities More intensive sheep-farming and livestock sector can harm water quality through the release of nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients, pathogens and other substances into waterways and groundwater, mainly from manure Water supply Increased number of users Increased demand on water by tourist service providers Number of households connected to central water supply system Increased use of water resources by touristic infrastructure Increased use of water resources by organic agricultural activities 157 Component Waste water Solid Waste Potential impact/risk Increased generation of waste waters from tourist service providers and their facilities and their discharge into the rivers and streams More solid waste generated by increased number of tourists and their service providers Indicator/measuring unit Number of households connected to sewage system Number of households with septic tanks/pits Amount of solid waste generated within the municipality (m3) Waste generated per household/municipality/project specific area (m3) Plastic waste generated within project sites (m3) and % from total waste Number of households using the municipal collection service increased Usage of plastic bottles increased by tourists who avoid drinking tap water or water from natural sources Number of plastic bottles and plastic packaging (lunch boxes) used by the tourists Unsustainable disposal of waste plastic bottles and plastic packaging and littering increased Increased amount of hazardous waste e.g.
luminescence lamps containing mercury, batteries from electric devices, cell phones, laptops, children’s toys, shaving equipment etc.)
Increased littering near areas with high concentrations of tourist activities (national parks, forests and cultural areas) Increased amount of inert waste from construction and refurbishing activities and waste disposal at municipal landfills or directly in environment due to the absence of special permissible landfills (especially in Mestia) Number of plastic bottles collected separately and recycled Amount of hazardous waste (kg) State of littering along roadsides and near tourist activities areas Number of the illegal dumping sites of construction materials 158 Component Land use Potential impact/risk Possible change of land use or increase of agricultural land areas due to development of organic agriculture, which uses more land compared to conventional farming Indicator/measuring unit Forest cover (ha) Area of agricultural land (ha) Cultivated Agricultural (ha) Pastures (ha) Pasture land Increased pressure on land resources from more intensive sheep farming might lead to deterioration and overgrazing of the pastures Number of sheep per m2 Condition of the pasture lands in the project area Soil nutrient content and pollution Protected Areas Non-timber forest resources Timber resources Increased pressure on soil productivity from more intensive agricultural activities targeted to satisfy increased demands for local products Visitation of Tsutskhvati Cave Natural Monument reached unsustainable numbers Unsustainable harvest of medicinal plants, wild fruits, berries and mushrooms Increased pressure on timber
 resources for heating and cooking by increased number of tourist service providers Representatives from vulnerable groups might have non-equal access to information about new opportunities, trainings, etc Representatives of vulnerable groups might less participate in decision making process Potential exclusion and non-equal access to new and well-paid jobs for women and other vulnerable groups of population Social inclusion of the vulnerable groups of population Fair distribution of project’s benefits Compliance with national regulations Level of nutrients in soil in project specific sites Level of soil pollution from agriculture Number of tourists visiting Tsutskhvati Cave Natural Monument measured against carrying capacity of the cave Amount of harvested medicinal plants, wild fruits, berries and mushrooms measured against carrying capacity of the forest in project areas Usage of firewood for cooking and heating purposes (m3) and % from total energy for cooking and heating Usage of solar hot water heating systems by the project beneficiaries, and amount of firewood that could have been used for heating in absence of such systems (m3) Number of persons from vulnerable groups of population receiving information, participated in the trainings, engaged in the project activities Number of women and representatives from vulnerable groups of population giving equal access to new and well-paid jobs Increase in non-registered Business Activity Number of non-registered
 businesses in project locations 159 8.3 Monitoring Scheme for the Collection and Determination of the Indicators to be Compared Against the Targets The proposed monitoring scheme uses identified indicators that are being measured against their respective baseline and targets.
Specific indicators are provided for monitoring results of the proposed mitigation measures recommended by EGSIA Study.

For each indicator, the measurement unit and the means of verification have been proposed and the respective targets to be measured against baseline have been determined.
The monitoring scheme also proposes responsible party for collection and verification of the indicators and suggests the timeline for conducting of the monitoring activities as before, during and after project implementation.

The indicators have been prioritized in terms of importance to be monitored.

The top 10 indicators are color-coded in red.


Table 30 – Monitoring Scheme 160 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Before, during and after implementation Means of verification and responsible party Laboratory analyses conducted in project locations.
Local municipalities and project team locally also project beneficiaries Needs to be evaluated for the project specific locations Enhanced quality of water, decreased level of pollution with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides Support households- beneficiaries in composting of organic materials; Support introduction of biogas technology as a clean source of energy; Support planning and implementation of activities to develop capacities on sanitary standards of animal farming including those related to manure management.
Quality of drinking water in the project areas - assessed against national drinking water standards Quality of water used for irrigation - assessed against national irrigation water standards Level of pollution with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides Increased number of biodegradable/ vegetal residues due to growing agricultural activities, increased use of manure and slurry in organic agriculture Increased risk of spread of zoonotic diseases due to more intensive animal farming activities More intensive sheep-farming and livestock sector can harm water quality through the release of nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients, pathogens and other substances into waterways and groundwater, mainly from manure Increased number of users Increased demand on water by tourist service providers Increased use of water resources by touristic infrastructure Cooperate with the municipalities on calculation of available water supply against projected demand.
Assist in provision of adequate assess to water resources Number of households connected to central water supply system and having access to the sufficient water supply Data available from the baseline chapter Number of households connected to central water supply system increased GWP local offices and respective municipalities.
Project team During and after implementation 161 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Increased use of water resources by organic agricultural activities Increased generation of waste waters from tourist service providers and their facilities and their discharge into the rivers and streams More solid waste generated by increased number of tourists and their service providers Capacity building of the local authorities and tourist service providers on management of waste waters from guest houses and hotel facilities; Supporting design, planning and implementation of the wastewater treatment facilities in the target regions; Encouraging touristic business service providers in the target region to use the standard of international system of ecological management recognized by the Georgia (ISO14000); Capacity building of tourist service providers in waste management.
Training and instructions of the Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Information provided by municipalities.
Before and after implementation Respective municipalities and project team To be counted by project Available in the baseline chapter (per municipalities) Number of households connected to sewage system Number of households with septic tanks/pits Number of households connected to sewage system increased Number of households with septic tanks/pits increased Amount of solid waste generated within the municipality (m3); Available in the baseline chapter (per municipalities) Available in the baseline chapter (on regional level) Waste generated per household/municip ality/project specific area (m3); The increased amount of solid waste is managed sustainably Decreased amount of solid waste generated per household Waste management plans by municipalities; Respective municipality Before and after implementation Before and after implementation 162 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Usage of plastic bottles increased by tourists who avoid drinking tap water or water from natural sources respective personnel in waste management practices and procedures; Support target municipalities in implementation and Enforcement of Municipal Waste Management Action Plans (2018-2022) and waste monitoring programs; Encourage guesthouse owners to conduct laboratory testing of the drinking water from natural sources and of tap water and to make the results of the tests (certificates) available to the tourists, indicate drinking water sources on the tracking maps and making them available for tourists, provide multi-use water containers to be filled from tap or from Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities During implementation Amount of solid waste generated by project beneficiaries (m3); Needs to be calculated by project Decreased amount of solid waste generated per household Project Calculations by project staff and beneficiaries Municipalities and calculations by project Before and after implementation Calculations by project staff and beneficiaries Before, during and after implementation Official data is available from the municipalities but needs to be checked for verification of real accessibility of the collection services Need to be projected based on the number of tourists and widespread practices in project specific locations Number of households using the municipal collection service.
Plastic waste generated within project sites (m3) and % from total waste Number of plastic bottles and plastic packaging (lunch boxes) used by the tourists Number of households using the municipal collection service increased Decreased amount of waste plastic bottles and packaging Amount and % of plastic waste from total solid waste generated by project beneficiaries decreased measured against average in the municipality 163 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities natural sources, provide portable lunches in biodegradable packaging instead of plastic packaging; Unsustainable disposal of waste plastic bottles and plastic packaging and littering increased Encourage separate collection of plastic bottles on the premises and research the ways of their re-use or recycling locally; Number of plastic bottles collected separately and recycled Evaluation by the project staff Increased amount of waste plastic bottles separately collected and recycled by project beneficiaries Increased amount of hazardous waste e.g.
luminescence lamps containing mercury, batteries from electric devices, cell phones, laptops, children’s toys, shaving equipment etc.)
Support establishment of household hazardous waste collection facility in each target municipality and safe recycling of household hazardous waste by a permitted waste handler or an Amount of hazardous waste (kg) Studies need to be conducted for the establishment of baseline in project location Amount of hazardous wastes disposed on landfills / environment is decreased Before, during and after implementation Before and after implementation Studies of waste composition in specific locations to be conducted Municipal waste management plans and calculations by the project Existing situation and trends should be studied by the project staff Respective municipality and project team 164 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities authorized recycling facility; Support establishment of take-back programs (e.g.
containers and packaging, while selling new lamps businesses will have to take back and recycle used ones); Support activities on separation of solid waste materials into hazardous, non-hazardous and reusable waste streams; Promotion of more environmentally friendly rechargeable Li-ion batteries; Supporting local authorities of the target municipalities in organization of proper waste management, including separate collection, recycling, waste production prevention, circular economy, improvement of packaging of local products sold to Increased littering near areas with high concentrations of tourist activities (national parks, forests and cultural areas) State of littering along roadsides and near tourist activities areas Littering near areas with high concentrations of tourist activities decreased Studies in project locations; Project Before, during and after implementation 165 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Increased amount of inert waste from construction and refurbishing activities and waste disposal at municipal landfills or directly in environment due to the absence of special permissible landfills (especially in Mestia) tourists, especially around tourist hubs; Conduct risk assessments of current waste management in mountain areas, including potential risk for downstream areas from both large and small- scale waste dumping; Assess the situation regarding inert waste disposal opportunities (especially, in Mestia) and identify location for waste disposal.
Support storing the inert waste temporarily on site, in secure facilities.
Collection and disposal of all construction waste at designated location Number of the illegal dumping sites of construction materials Number of illegal construction waste dumping sites within project location needs to be calculated for the baseline Before and after implementation Number of illegal construction waste dumping sites within project location needs to be calculated; Project staff Number of inert wastes disposed on landfills/ environment is decreased; Municipal Waste Management plans address issue of illegal dumping sites and littering 166 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Forest cover (ha) Area of agricultural land (ha) Cultivated Agricultural (ha) Pastures (ha) Available in the baseline chapter (per municipalities) Land use change avoided Historic land use pattern safeguarded National Statistics Office of Georgia Geostat, National Statistics Office of Georgia.
Project team Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Before and after implementation Possible change of land use or increase of agricultural land areas due to development of organic agriculture, which uses more land compared to conventional farming Increased pressure on land resources from more intensive sheep farming might lead to deterioration and overgrazing of the pastures Identification of sensitive areas that are likely to be affected by such new developments; Facilitating elaboration and approval of local development plans (Master Plans) that will regulate new constructions and delineate boundaries of settlements; Conducting awareness raising on the importance of preserving authentic architecture; Support in planning and implementation of protection actions, including support in the process of designation and management of the planned protected areas.
Capacity building of local farmers through training and awareness rising on sustainable use of land resources, sustainable Number of sheep per m2; Condition of the pasture lands in the project area Data needs to be collected for specific project locations Number of sheep per m2 corresponds to the sustainable pattern of grazing Information- consultation centres of the municipalities (MEPA) and Before and After implementation 167 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities (carrying capacity of the pastures) Pasture land degradation avoided; general conditions of pastures enhanced Deterioration of Soil conditions avoided, level of soil pollution decreased respected municipalities/ Project team, beneficiaries and respective municipalities Carrying capacity of the pastures needs to be established for project locations/Project Laboratory analyses of soil conditions in specific project locations Municipalities, project team Before implementation Before and after implementation Level of nutrients in soil in project specific sites Level of soil pollution from agriculture General information on soil composition is available, but data needs to be collected for specific project locations Increased pressure on soil productivity from more intensive agricultural activities targeted to satisfy increased demands for local products pasture and soil management; Support rotational grazing and development of pasture management plans; Calculating the carrying capacity of the pastures for project locations and using it for development of the pasture management plans.
Supporting application of the management practices used by organic agriculture such as minimum tillage, organic soil cover, returning crop residues to the soil, the use of rotations, and the integration of nitrogen- fixing legumes in order increase the return of carbon to the soil, raising productivity and favouring carbon storage; Capacity building of local farmers through training and awareness rising on 168 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Visitation of Tsutskhvati Cave Natural Monument reached unsustainable numbers Unsustainable harvest of medicinal plants, wild fruits, berries and mushrooms sustainable use of land resources, avoidance of application of chemicals in agriculture, plot rotation and sustainable pasture and soil management.
Training tourist service providers and guides on how to instruct the tourists and plan the tours; Supporting in calculation carrying capacity of the cave for sustainable use Support in establishment of sustainable quotas; Capacity building and awareness rising campaigns for project beneficiaries.
Increased pressure on timber resources for heating and cooking by increased number of tourist service providers Assessment of the energy demand for heating and cooking by project beneficiaries and generally by the tourist service providers in the target Number of tourists visiting Tsutskhvati Cave Natural Monument measured against carrying capacity of the cave Amount of harvested medicinal plants, wild fruits, berries and mushrooms measured against carrying capacity of the forest in project areas Usage of firewood for cooking and heating purposes (m3) and % from total energy for Carrying capacity needs to be calculated baseline information on the number of visitors available from APA Carrying capacity needs to be calculated Data available in the baseline chapter.
Specific info needs to be collected for the project locations General data is available.
Specific data on project location needs to be collected for the baseline Number of tourists visiting Tsutskhvati Cave Natural Monument corresponds carrying capacity of the cave Quota for sustainable use of non-timber resources established and enforced Before and after implementation Information on number of visitors available from APA/ APA, Project team Data needs to be collected by the project/Project, NFA Before and during implementation Amount of firewood for cooking and heating purposes (m3) and % from total energy for Specific data on project location needs to be collected /Project team Before, during and after implementation 169 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities municipalities and studying alternatives to fuel wood; Support introduction and usage of alternative heating sources by tourism service suppliers, e.g.
introduction of solar thermal applications for water and room heating in guesthouses and other facilities; Assess the energy efficiency needs of the project beneficiaries and provide support in meeting energy efficiency standard.

In order to provide equal access to information about new opportunities, trainings, etc.
in close cooperation with local government, NGOs and local activists plan special outreach measures for representatives of vulnerable groups and for women who have to stay Representatives of vulnerable groups might have non-equal assess to information about new opportunities, trainings, etc Representatives of vulnerable groups might less participate in decision making process cooking and heating decreased cooking and heating Usage of solar hot water heating systems by the project beneficiaries, and amount of firewood that could have been used for heating in absence of such systems (m3) Number of persons from vulnerable groups of population receiving information, participated in the trainings, engaged in the project activities Results of ACT survey shows unequal assess Results of ACT survey shows unequal participation in decision making Representatives from vulnerable groups of population are given equal access to information and equal opportunities to be engaged in project activities Relevant/segrega ted data needs to be collected by project staff at all stages of project implementation/ Project team During implementation During implementation 170 Potential impact/risk Mitigation action Indicator/measurin g unit Baseline Target Potential exclusion and non- equal access to new and well- paid jobs for women and other vulnerable groups of population Increase in non-registered Business Activity home and look after their small children.
Use local TV companies for spread of information; Provide skills trainings for representatives of vulnerable groups; Encourage local government representatives/members of gender equality councils to collect full relevant data, segregated by gender, as well as all types of marginalized groups, including information on ethnic and religious minorities.
Provide training/awareness rising for business owners on issues such as equal pay, work conditions, overtime remuneration, help with children, flexible working hours, etc.
Means of verification and responsible party Timeline for conducting the monitoring activities Before and during implementation Relevant/segrega ted data needs to be collected by project staff /Project team and to make decisions Number of women and representatives from vulnerable groups of population giving equal access to new and well-paid jobs General information from GeoStat on the gender wage gap in Georgia Specific information for baseline needs to be collected by the project Number of women and representatives from vulnerable groups of population giving equal access to new and well- paid jobs increased Number of non- registered businesses in project locations Number of non- registered businesses in the project locations decreased To be calculated in order to set a baseline GeoStat provides information only on registered businesses To be calculated by the project /Project team Before and after implementation 171 Bibliography Climate: • The Georgian Road Map on Climate Change Adaptation, USAID/NALAG 2016 • Upper Svaneti Adaptation Strategy to the Climate Change, 2014 • Georgia’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC, 2010 • Georgia’s Third National Communication to the UNFCCC, 2015 • ORGANIC FARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE, 2008 DRR • Tsereteli E., Gaprindashvili M., Kvaratskheli Z., Gaprindashvili G., et.
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2017 (The study was commissioned by the OSCE in the framework of the Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative Project “Inventory and Assessment of Hazardous Waste Hotspots in Armenia and Georgia”); • Kutaisi Municipal Waste Management Plan 2018-2022; • Lentekhi Municipality Municipal Waste Management Plan 2018-2022; • Mestia Municipality Municipal Waste Management Plan 2018-2022; • National Waste Management Strategy (2016-2030) and National Waste Management Action Plan (2016-2020); • Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Region Development Strategy 2014-2021; • Sachkhere Municipality Municipal Waste Management Plan 2018-2022; • Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Region Development Strategy 2014-2021; • Tsageri Municipal Waste Management Plan 2018-2022; • Tsalenjikha Municipality Municipal Waste Management Plan 2018-2022.
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Newsletter #28 of the Academy of Agriculture.


Scietific paper by Nana Goginashvili, PhD in Agriculture.

• Resolution of the Government of Georgia on Creation and Management of Imereti Caves Protected Areas.
Energy sector • Resolution of Georgian parliament N3758-IIსon approval of the main directions of the state energy policy, June 24, 2015 • Energy Sector development strategy of Georgia 2016-2025 – electricity; (DRAFT) • Energy Sector development strategy of Georgia 2017-2026 – Natural gas; (DRAFT) • Decree of Georgian government N1287 on approval of a regional development strategy for Imereti region, 2016-2021, 01 July 2016 • Decree of Georgian government N1374 on approval of a regional development strategy for Racha-Lechkhumi Lower Svaneti region, 2014-2021, 19 September 2013 • Decree of Georgian government N1372 on approval of a regional development strategy for Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region, 2014-2021.18 September 2013 • Energy sector overview – charging forward, TBC Capital, July 2019 • CENN “Assessment of firewood consumption and firewood production in Georgia” ADC/ENPI East FLEG II, 2016 176 ENVIRONMENTAL, GENDER AND SOCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS, RISK MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY PLAN (EGSIA & RMSP) OF GREEN MOUNTAIN TOURISM AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE (GRETA) PROJECT Annexes October, 2019 Tbilisi, Georgia Contents Annex 1 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 5 Annex 2 Socio Economic Study – Descriptive Analysis ................................................................. 13 Structure of households................................................................................................................ 13
13 Self-employment and business ..................................................................................................... 18 Community, trust, civic engagement ............................................................................................ 23 Living conditions ........................................................................................................................... 27 Livelihood resources and agriculture ............................................................................................ 36 Community infrastructure and services ....................................................................................... 53 Civic engagement and concerning problems to society ............................................................... 59 Table 1 – Data collection methods ............................................................................................................... 5 Table 2 Distribution of interviews ................................................................................................................. 6 Table 3 – Composition of Focus group Discussions ...................................................................................... 7 Table 4 – Stakeholders interviewed and Consulted ..................................................................................... 8 Table 5 – Decision Making Process ............................................................................................................. 15 Table 6 Income
15 Table 6 Income received from employment within the past 12 months, excluding pension and allowances................................................................................................................................................... 17 Table 7 Index of owning business over the past 5 years ............................................................................ 18 Table 8 Amount of profit – loss from business / production (GEL) ............................................................ 20 Table 9 Development of skills necessary for doing business ...................................................................... 22 Table 10 Desirable location after changing place of residence .................................................................. 23 Table 11 Trust towards institutions ............................................................................................................ 25 Table 12 Accessibility of energy resources and their quality ...................................................................... 30 Table 13 Energy sources used for cooking and heating .............................................................................. 30 Table 14 How many land parcels do you own / use?
................................................................................. 37 Table 15 What is area of land owned by your HH?

.................................................................................... 37 Table 16 Amount of yield in kg ................................................................................................................... 38 Table 17 Do you use pesticides for cultivation?
......................................................................................... 38 Table 18 Quantity of domestic animals ...................................................................................................... 40 Table 19 Household consumption VS product to sell ................................................................................. 41 Table 20 Income from selling products ...................................................................................................... 42 Table 21 Considering all sources of income, what is your household’s monthly average income?
.......... 43 Table 22 Please tell me, which of three listed below are sources of your household’s income?

Among them, which one is first?

Second?

Third?

................................................................................................... 44 Table 23 What part of products consumed by your household is: ............................................................. 45 Table 24 What part of your household’s income is spent on the following per month?
........................... 46 Table 25 Do you own / use the following items?

....................................................................................... 47 Table 26 Amount of loan ............................................................................................................................ 48 Table 27 How would you evaluate existing conditions in your settlement?
.............................................. 56 Table 28 How have these conditions changed over the past five years?
................................................... 57 2 Table 29 Participation in various activities ................................................................................................. 60 Table 30 Family member who was actively engaged in various activities .................................................. 60 Table 31 List of important problems ........................................................................................................... 62 Table 32 Important problems widespread in society ................................................................................. 63 Chart 1 Gender of informed individual / respondent ................................................................................. 13 Chart 2 Gender of household head ............................................................................................................. 13 Chart 3 Gender of household members ..................................................................................................... 13 Chart 4 Age of household members ........................................................................................................... 14 Chart 5 Marital status ................................................................................................................................. 14 Chart 6 IDP status ........................................................................................................................................ 15 Chart 7 Status of special needs ................................................................................................................... 16 Chart 8 Achieved level of education ........................................................................................................... 16 Chart 9 Employment rate ............................................................................................................................ 17 Chart 10 Managers of business enterprises ............................................................................................... 19 Chart 11 Legal status of enterprises ........................................................................................................... 19 Chart 12 Consumer segment of produced products .................................................................................. 20 Chart 13 Investment made in business within the past two years ............................................................. 21 Chart 14 Expanding the existing business or starting a new business ....................................................... 21 Chart 15 What kind of business do you plan to start?................................................................................
22 Chart 16 Change of place of residence ....................................................................................................... 23 Chart 17 Reasons for changing place of residence ..................................................................................... 24 Chart 18 In what type of dwelling do you live in?

...................................................................................... 27 Chart 19 Please tell me, who owns the house / apartment you are living in?
........................................... 28 Chart 20 What is approximate area of your dwelling house / apartment?

................................................ 28 Chart 21 When was the last time you did serious refurbishment / repair works in the house you are living in?
...................................................................................................................................................... 29 Chart 22 Apart from the abovementioned dwelling, do you own another dwelling space?

..................... 29 Chart 23 Who is a legal owner of your other apartment / house?
............................................................. 30 Chart 24 Main source of drinking water ..................................................................................................... 31 Chart 25 Frequency of water supply ........................................................................................................... 31 Chart 26 Volume of provided water ........................................................................................................... 32 Chart 27 Quality of water used for household purposes ............................................................................ 32 Chart 28 Please name all the problems related to water and sewage system?
......................................... 33 Chart 29 Type of toilet ................................................................................................................................ 33 Chart 30 Being connected to centralized sewage system .......................................................................... 34 Chart 31 Where do you throw waste / garbage?
....................................................................................... 34 Chart 32 Is irrigation system accessible and do you use it?

....................................................................... 35 Chart 33 In general, how would you evaluate your household’s living conditions?

.................................. 35 Chart 34 Please name all the problems related to your household’s living conditions?
........................... 35 Chart 35 What kind of forest resources do you use?

................................................................................. 36 Chart 36 Do you own / use land parcel?

..................................................................................................... 36 Chart 37 Who is an owner of land parcel?..................................................................................................
37 Chart 38 Harvested product ....................................................................................................................... 38 3 Chart 39 Do you used mixed seeding practice?

.......................................................................................... 39 Chart 40 What kind of crops do you seed together?
.................................................................................. 39 Chart 41 Ownership of domestic animals ................................................................................................... 40 Chart 42 Do you use pastures?

................................................................................................................... 40 Chart 43 Are the pastures the same in summer and winter?
..................................................................... 41 Chart 44 Which of the statements below best describes your household’s financial condition?

............. 43 Chart 45 Has your income changed over the past 5 years?

....................................................................... 44 Chart 46 Are your main sources of income seasonal?
............................................................................... 45 Chart 47 Do you believe your household’s nutrition is adequate?

............................................................ 46 Chart 48 In general, how simple is it for you to pay utility bills (gas, electricity, water and phone) in timely manner?
........................................................................................................................................... 47 Chart 49 Do you or your family member has a loan or credit to pay?

....................................................... 48 Chart 50 In your opinion, has economic condition of your settlement improved or worsened over the past 5 years?
............................................................................................................................................... 48 Chart 51 Need to receive medical help ....................................................................................................... 49 Chart 52 Accessibility of medications ......................................................................................................... 49 Chart 53 Change in terms of accessibility of medicines over the past five years ....................................... 50 Chart 54 Financial affordability of medicines ............................................................................................. 50 Chart 55 Change of financial accessibility of medications over the past 5 years ....................................... 51 Chart 56 Having medical insurance ............................................................................................................ 51 Chart 57 Change of health condition and accessibility of healthcare over the past 5 years ...................... 52 Chart 58 In case there is a child in your household of the proper age, does s/he go to kindergarten?
.... 52 Chart 59 In case there is a school-age child in your household, does s/he go to school?..........................

52 4 Annex 1 Methodology For environmental as well as gender and social aspects various data collection methods were used to compile comprehensive information about the baseline situation in the target municipalities.
In scopes of secondary data collection official letters for information requests were sent to all stakeholders including central and local government, Georgian National Tourism Administration, National Statistics Office of Georgia and others, other publicly accessible sources of information were used.

In scopes of primary data collection quantitative and qualitative methods were utilized.
In scopes of the quantitative study face-to-face interviews were conducted with the residents of the target communities/municipalities.

Qualitative study via focus group discussions and in-depth interviews targeted the various stakeholders, academia, business, vulnerable groups etc.

The full list of stakeholders interviewed in scopes of the study is presented below.
The secondary desk review and initial site visits were used for preparation of the Inception report, information collected via primary data collection combined with other described above methods were used for developing the Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Assessment.

The table below describes the overview of the data collection tools to be used in scopes of the assignment.

Desk Research letters for official information requests to central local and government, GNTA, Geostat; etc.
Table 1 – Data collection methods Technique CAPI/PAPI FGs In Depth Interviews Quantitative Qualitative Target Population People residing in project target areas Sample Size 600 completed interviews Study Area Mestia, Lentekhi, Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri, Chiatura, Sachkhere, Tkibuli, Sampling Method Sampling Details Duration of Interview Random Sampling based on Geostat Census data 2014 Representative to target municipalities 60 Minutes Community representatives, stakeholders, Businesses, Vulnerable Groups including women, people living beyond poverty line, elderly 10 FGs Mestia, Lentekhi, Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri, Chiatura, Sachkhere, Tkibuli Purposive Sampling Stakeholders; Academia; Civil Society 30 In-depth Interviews Mestia, Lentekhi, Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri, Chiatura, Sachkhere, Tkibuli, Tbilisi Purposive Sampling 60-90 Minutes 60 Minutes 5 Sampling for Quantitative Study Sampling for the quantitative survey was developed by an ACT sampling specialist.
Two-staged clustered sampling with preliminary stratification was applied.

Census data from 2014 was used as a sampling frame for the study.

The Primary Sampling Unit (PSU) was cluster, the secondary sampling unit (SSU) was the household, and the final sampling unit (FSU) was a person from the household.

The total sample size of the study was 600 completed interviews.

Interviews were conducted in rural as well as in urban settlements.
The table below represents the distribution of the interviews in the target municipalities of the project.
Table 2 Distribution of interviews Region Imereti Sachkhere Chiatura Tkibuli Samegrelo Upper Svaneti Mestia Racha Lechkhumi Lower Svaneti Ambrolauri Oni Tsageri Lentekhi Total Number of Interviews Conducted 275 100 100 75 65 65 260 65 65 65 65 600 6 Recruitment for Qualitative Study Focus Group Discussions Preliminary criteria for recruiting focus group discussion participants was elaborated and shared with the recruiters.

In total 10 focus group discussions were conducted.
The table below describes the composition and geography of the conducted FGs.
Table 3 – Composition of Focus group Discussions Region Number of FGs Composition 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Women; aged 20-70; 8 participants; involved in tourism related activities, agriculture or unemployed Mixed Gender, aged 20-70; 8 participants; involved in tourism related activities Women; aged 20-70; 8 participants; involved in tourism related activities, agriculture or unemployed Mixed Gender, aged 20-70; 8 participants; involved in agriculture Mixed Gender, aged 20-70; 8 participants; involved in tourism related activities, agriculture or unemployed Women; aged 20-70; 8 participants; involved in tourism related activities, agriculture or unemployed Mixed Gender, aged 20-70; 8 participants; involved in tourism related activities Mixed Gender, aged 20-70; 8 participants; involved in agriculture Women; aged 20-70; 8 participants; involved in tourism related activities, agriculture or unemployed Mixed Gender, aged 20-70; 6 participants; involved in tourism related activities, agriculture or unemployed Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi Lower Svaneti (geographically grouped as follows: Lentekhi &Tsageri; Oni, Ambrolauri & Tkibuli) Samegrelo Upper Svaneti In depth Interviews During the inception phase of the EGSIA study, the particular groups of the stakeholders, which already play a role or are anticipated to do so in the field of sustainable mountain tourism and organic agriculture, have been identified and presented here.
Identified stakeholders include locally affected individuals, communities and their representatives, business sector, local and national government authorities, public institutions and their regional branches, civil society organizations, media, educational and research institutions.

Stakeholders were grouped thematically and at least one member of each group was interviewed.
Respondents were contacted via phone or email and were explained the aims and objectives of the study, in certain cases topics of the interviews were shared with them prior to the interview.

Interviews were conducted on a date and location most suitable to the respondent.

The table below presents the lists of the stakeholders interviewed in scopes of the study.
7 Table 4 – Stakeholders interviewed and Consulted Sector Government and Public/other Institutions Private Sector and Educational researches institutions Civil Society Organizations and Local Communities International Development Organizations Other Stakeholder Municipality representatives of Mestia Municipality representatives of Tkibuli Municipality representatives of Sachkere Municipality representatives of Chiatura Municipality representatives of Amrolauri Municipality representatives of Tsageri Municipality representatives of Lentekhi Municipality representatives of Oni Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) Mountain Resorts Development Company (MRDC) Enterprise Georgia, export division Agency of Protected Areas (APA) National Environmental Agency Spar Naturpur Agroman Spar Carrefour Georgian Holidays Caucas Erti Tbilisi State University VET College Tetnuldi Ecotourism Association Georgian Mountain Guides Association Scouts Georgia Tkibuli District Development Fund USAID ZRDA in Georgia PMC-Research Center “Support to the Development of Livelihoods in Disadvantaged Rural Regions of Georgia – Mestia/Samegrelo - Upper Svaneti Region CARE “Implementing LEADER in Mestia municipality for better livelihoods in high mountainous regions of Georgia” NGO Zdeki NGO Women of Mountain Activist Nargis Niguriani Mountain Guide Leri Niguriani Questionnaire The household survey employed face-to-face interviewing technique using structured questionnaire.
The interview lasted approximately 60 minutes.

The survey data will be collected from the informed member of the HH.

The questionnaire covered following sections: - - Demographic Parameters – gender, age, marital status, and education level, etc.

Economic status and employment; 8 - - - - - - Incomes and expenditures; Social Status – data on HH member’s pensions, scholarships etc.

Housing Conditions: Dwelling condition, area, accessibility of utility services, etc.
Livelihood resources; Civic Engagement, trust, attitudes towards media, etc.

Accessibility to Health, education and other infrastructure.

Pilot Testing of the Questionnaire The main goal of the pilot study was testing the questionnaire for the study before launching the fieldwork.

The aim of testing was to determine the final changes to be made to the questionnaires and thus to develop final versions based on the pilot study results.
The objectives of the pilot study were: ➢ To identify technical or logic inaccuracies in the questionnaires; ➢ To estimate difficulty of respondent’s perception regarding separate questions; ➢ To define respondent’s readiness to answer sensitive questions (income, etc.

); ➢ To identify any possible problems of the interviewing process; The household questionnaire was piloted via conducting 20 interviews in different rural and urban areas of target municipalities.
As a result of the pilot study all problematic issues and technical inaccuracies were corrected and the instruments were finalized.

Guideline Qualitative data instruments were tailored to the respondents, each stakeholder group had its own unique instrument with open-ended questions.

Interviews lasted approximately 30-50 minutes, whereas the focus group discussion lasted approximately 1.5-2 hours.
Data collection Process The first step of fieldwork preparatory work was the development of a fieldwork implementation plan.

The fieldwork implementation plan had two main components: 1.

A general fieldwork implementation plan, which defined main functional units involved in the fieldwork and state their functions and duties.

It also described the general chain of activities to be followed by each functional unit.

2.
2.

A detailed fieldwork management plan, which defined the exact logistics and timing of the fieldwork.

Two main functional units were involved in the implementation of fieldwork.

These units were: • In-office fieldwork management team (fieldwork manager, data quality control supervisor and other in-office staff); • Fieldwork team (interviewers).
9 For the successful implementation of fieldwork, special attention was given to the recruitment of staff for both functional units: (1) in-office fieldwork management team and (2) fieldwork team.
In-office fieldwork management team members included: • A fieldwork manager responsible for the development of fieldwork logistics and monitoring the timely implementation of fieldwork; • A data quality control supervisor responsible for monitoring quality control procedures and supervising the work of control interviewers and revision and logical control specialists; • Questionnaire revision and logical control specialists, responsible for the revision of completed questionnaires before the commencement of electronic data entry; • Coding specialists responsible for coding open-ended answers in completed questionnaires; • Recruitment specialists responsible for recruiting the focus group discussion participants according to predefined criteria; • Transcript Specialists responsible for preparing detailed transcripts of the focus group discussions based on audio/video recordings.
The Fieldwork team included: Interviewers responsible for field visits and completing the interviews.

• Regional fieldwork supervisor responsible for fieldwork management and fieldwork monitoring.

• • Moderator responsible for conducting the focus group discussions; • Reserve interviewers who may become involved in the fieldwork as substitutes for interviewers who withdraw for various reasons.

Training of Field Staff The survey interviewers were chosen according to their experience.
Interviewer training was attended by all interviewers (including the reserve interviewers) and all other field staff.
Trainees were instructed on the following issues: • Survey theme (goals and objectives) –purpose of the survey, goals and objectives and anticipated uses of the survey findings; • Survey instrument – content of each question, skip instructions, procedures for recording answers to open-ended and closed questions; • Technical issues and fieldwork logistics–procedures for the timely and efficient implementation of a fieldwork.
Upon completion of the training all training participants received the materials needed for a fieldwork: • • • Tablets for CAPI Questionnaires; Sampling; Fieldwork technical report form; 10 Field Reporting Interviewers were involved in two types of fieldwork reporting activity.
Field reporting included two main activities: • • Completion of fieldwork report forms by interviewers Debriefing session Interviewers submitted their forms to the fieldwork supervisor and upon completion of the fieldworks debriefing session was organized by the project manager in order to discuss the challenges of the fieldwork.
Fieldwork Implementation Survey fieldwork included following phases: • • • • Distributing information about the submission deadlines of completed questionnaires among interviewers; Implementing field visits and interviews; Performing the quality control, revision and logical control of completed questionnaires; Coding open-ended questions; In case of focus group discussion, the chain of procedures is slightly different.
The recruiters recruited the respondents for the group discussions 2-3 days prior to the group.

Afterwards, the moderator and group participants gathered on a fixed date and time and conducted the group discussion.
Survey fieldwork in case of focus group discussion included following phases: • • • • • Recruiting the respondents 2-3 days earlier prior to the group discussion; Conducting focus group discussions; Delivering audio/video recordings to fieldwork manager; Transcribing the group discussions; Delivering transcripts to team leader for further analysis.

The fieldwork management strictly followed the chain of activities defined in the fieldwork implementation plan.
Any unanticipated challenges during the fieldwork implementation were immediately reported to the regional supervisor.

The regional supervisor was offering solutions to the interviewers.

In case the fieldwork supervisor was unable to resolve a particular issue, they contacted the fieldwork manager to discuss the problem.

Solutions were reached within a reasonable time span to avoid delays in the fieldwork implementation.
There were no particular difficulties encountered in terms of fieldwork logistics, which could have caused delays in the fieldwork implementation.

The fieldworks were stopped due to heavy rain and flooding in Samegrelo Upper Svaneti region, although they were quickly relaunched and the delay has not caused severe changes in deadlines.

The fieldwork was completed with a slight delay compared to predefined schedule.
11 Data Quality Control Data quality control included data quality checks (1) during the fieldwork and (2) after the completion of data collection.

Data Quality Control after and during the fieldwork involved revision and logical control of completed questionnaires.

100 percent of questionnaires underwent the logical control and revision process.

After all quality control procedures were completed the dataset was delivered to database specialist.
Data Cleaning and Analysis Before starting data cleaning procedures, sampling specialist applied statistical weights based on the census data 2014 (Geostat) in order to allow the generalization of the data.

The database of the survey results was processed by the database specialist.

performed the data cleaning procedures and prepared the data outputs.
Data cleaning identified and corrected the following types of errors: • • • • Data entry errors; Revision and logical control errors; Other types of inaccuracies; Missing data or data that was omitted from the questionnaire or database.

The quantitative data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0.

Data Processing of Qualitative data All FG and In-depth interviews were audio and video recorded upon consent of the group participants.
Detailed transcripts of the interviews and focus group discussion were prepared and shared with the project team for further analysis.

12 Annex 2 Socio Economic Study – Descriptive Analysis Structure of households Questionnaire developed aimed at collecting background conditions of the households on a household level in target municipalities, respectively, selected respondent was the most informed individual on general condition of the household.
Households named the most informed family members on their own.

The majority of respondents in all regions were female.

In total, distribution of respondents by gender is as follows: male – 20%, female - 80%.

Chart 1 Gender of informed individual / respondent Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Male 18% 23% 31% 20% Female 82% 77% 69% 80% N=275 N=260 N=65 N=600 Male member is more often named as household head in target area than female member.
Portion of male household head in each region varies within 60-70% range.

Chart 2 Gender of household head Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Male 68% 60% 64% 66% Female 32% N=275 40% N=260 37% N=65 34% N=600 Gender ratio of household members is almost identical in all three regions.

Considering data from all three regions, female family members are only 6% more than male family members.
Chart 3 Gender of household members Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Female Male 52% 48% 53% 47% 53% 47% 53% 47% N=931 N=738 N=224 N=1893 13 Age structure of family members is distributed as follows: 23% is represented by population aged 65 and above, 16% is comprised of citizens within 55-64 age range, 13% - representatives of 25-34 age group, 12% - 35-44-year-old citizens, while number of 7-18-year-old citizens is 13%.
It is worth mentioning that groups of 0-6 (7%) and 19-24 (4%) age categories are represented in small quantities.

Chart 4 Age of household members Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total 0 - 6 7 - 18 8% 13% 19 - 24 5% 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54 55 - 64 65 and above 13% 12% 12% 16% 20% 5% 2% 11% 11% 10% 11% 17% 10% 14% 7% 13% 6% 4% 13% 12% 15% 11% 32% 19% 13% 12% 12% 16% 23% N=931 N=738 N=224 N=1893 More than half of respondents are married – 55%, 32% are single, 12% are widow.
Chart 5 Marital status Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Married Single 33% Widow 10% 56% 54% 29% 17% Divorced 2% 1% 44% 42% 55% 32% 13% 1% 12% 1% N=931 N=738 N=224 N=1893 As for making various decisions in the household, according to general tendency, men and women are equally involved.

Level of their engagement does not vary significantly according to issues.
Both genders are equally involved: management of HH incomes – 59%, decisions related to work and education of family members – 61%, decisions regarding agricultural activity (type of yield / sales) - 56%, decisions regarding investments, starting business – 51%.
In addition, women are more engaged in solving every decision than men: management of household incomes – women- 23%, men – 15%, decisions related to work and education of family members – women - 22%, men – 16%, decisions regarding agricultural activity (type of yield / sales) – women - 22%, men – 19%, decisions regarding investments, starting business – women – 19%, men – 16%.

This tendency is prevalent on the level of separate regions.
14 Table 5 – Decision Making Process Management of household incomes (how is income managed, purchase of luxury items, in contrary of routine / everyday purchases) Decisions regarding work and education of family members Decisions regarding agricultural activity (type of yield / sales) Decisions regarding investments, starting a business Women more Men more Both equally Don’t know N= Women more Men more Both equally Don’t know N= Women more Men more Both equally Don’t know N= Women more Men more Both equally Don’t know N= Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total Only 3% of residents of three regions have IDP status, major portion of IDPs are distributed in Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (7%) and Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 10%, Imereti – only 1%.
Chart 6 IDP status Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total No 99% 94% 90% 97% Yes 1% 7% 10% 3% N=931 N=738 N=224 N=1893 15 85% of residents do not have status of special needs.

9% has chronic diseases, among them: 8% in Imereti, 14% - Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, 5% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.

4% of residents have physical disability, 3% - vision problems.
Chart 7 Status of special needs Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti None 87% 78% 91% Total 85% Chronic disease 8% 14% Physical disability Vision problems Hearing problem Mental illness 4% 2% 1% 1% 6% 5% 2% 0% 5% 3% 4% 1% 1% 9% 4% 3% 1% 1% N=931 N=738 N=224 N=1893 78% of respondents in all three regions do not have any special needs.

Those who have such name main need: pension age – 17%.
34% of respondents have complete secondary education (12 grades), vocational education – 24%, higher education (BA, MA, PhD) – 19%, without education – 10%.
On regional level, the largest number of residents with higher education is presented in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti – 22%, as well as with vocational education – 31%, the largest number of respondents with complete secondary education is reported in Imereti – 37%, the largest number of respondents without education is reported in Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti - 15%.
Chart 8 Achieved level of education Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Higher education (BA, MA, PhD) 18% 22% 17% 19% Vocational education 22% 31% 21% 24% Complete secondary (12 grades) 37% 27% 31% 34% Incomplete secondary (9 grades) 6% Elementary education (6 grades) 7% Without education 11% 8% 5% 7% 12% 4% 7% 6% 15% 10% N=931 N=738 N=224 N=1893 16 72% of residents living in regions are not employed.
Employment level does not differ significantly by regions, the majority of population claims not to be employed: Imereti – 72%, Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti – 71%, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 76%.

Chart 9 Employment rate No Yes Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total 72% 71% 76% 72% 28% N=931 29% N=738 25% 28% N=224 N=1893 As believed by focus group participants, a large portion of residents are self-employed in tourism and agriculture fields.
Speaking of employment, people are employed in stage agencies in municipalities where salary is small.

Salary differs by position and difficultness of work and not by gender.

School and kindergarten is believed to be proper employment for women, but problem is almost vacated villages where schools and kindergartens are being closed because of insufficient number of students.
Picture is different in target municipalities of Imereti where main field of employment is mining field and this is perceived as more proper for man.

As for self-employment, focus group participants who are involved in guesthouse business, believe that this field in generally developed and managed by women.
Respondents involved in agriculture report that unfortunately, agriculture is related to physical labour which is less appealing for young people and this is why they are trying to seek for other sources of income.

Those who are self-employed in agriculture declare that this activity is mostly for own consumption, however, some of the products are being sold, including services related to local tourism – supplying guesthouses and shops with products.
Average monthly income of population living in all three regions during the past 12 months is 4516 GEL.

The highest monthly income is reported in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 5979 GEL, monthly income in Imereti (4545 GEL) and Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti (4545 GEL) does not differ significantly.
Table 6 Income received from employment within the past 12 months, excluding pension and allowances Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total Income received from employment over the past 12 months excluding pension and allowances 4353 GEL 4545 GEL 5979 GEL 4516 GEL N= 145 191 45 381 17 Self-employment and business Major part of population living in three regions: Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti, Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti is not involved in any kind of production or business (94%).
However, the most active region in terms of doing business is Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (29%), index of doing business in Racha- Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti is 8%, and only 3% in Imereti.

The most prevalent type of business owned by inquired residents is shop / supermarket (2%).

Portion of owning this type of business is the highest in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (8%) compared to other regions – Imereti – 1%, Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti - 2%.
As for tourism-related activities – 1% of citizens rent out a room or owns a guesthouse; 18% of respondents living in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti own a guesthouse or rent out a room; number of such HH is 2% in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti.

Only 1% of population living in all three regions provides transportation service.

Portion of such respondents is 2% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti and 1% in Racha- Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti.
As for agricultural production, 1% of inquired respondents are involved in production and sale of agricultural dairy products.

Main portion of dairy production falls on Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (6%).

Table 7 Index of owning business over the past 5 years Imereti (N=275) Shop / supermarket Café Restaurant Rented out room / guesthouse Souvenir shop / trade spot (taxi / car Transportation service rental, etc.)

Production and sales of agricultural (dairy) products (cheese, Matsoni, etc.)
Is current owner 1% Was owner but is not anymore 0% No 98% 100% - Is current owner 0% Was owner but is not anymore 0% No Is current owner Was owner but is not anymore 0% 100% No Is current owner 0% Was owner but is not anymore 0% 100% No 0% Is current owner - Was owner but is not anymore 100% No 1% Is current owner - Was owner but is not anymore 99% No Is current owner 0% Was owner but is not anymore 1% No 99% – – Racha Lechkhumi Lower Svaneti (N=260) 2% 2% 96% 0% 0% 100% - 0% 100% 2% 1% 98% 0.3% - 99.7% 1% - 99% 0% 0% 100% – Samegelo Upper Svaneti (N=65) Total (N=600) 8% 2% 91% 0% 2% 98% - 2% 98% 18% 0% 82% 0% - 100% 3% - 97% 6% 0% 94% 2% 1% 97% 0% 0% 100% - 0% 100% 1% 0% 98% 0.1% - 99.9% 1% - 99% 1% 0% 99% Only 12 respondents had business that does not function anymore.
Reasons for terminating business operation are different, main reasons provided by respondents include: insufficient sales (34%), absence of sufficient financial capacities for keeping the business (14%), loss of function because of larger 18 enterprise (14$).

Approximate duration of business operation is 8 years in all three regions, while on separate region level average years of functioning differ: Imereti – 10 years, Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti – 8 years, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 1 year.
Total ratio of female business managers is 12%, while ratio of male business managers is 27%.

4% of businesses and enterprises are jointly managed by man and woman together.

In total, number of women owning businesses is 66% and number of men is 34%.
Chart 10 Managers of business enterprises Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Respondent 31% 66% 90% 59% Male family member 48% 25% Female family member Male and female family members 18% 12% Currently rented out 5% 3% 15% 27% 12% 4% 1% N=56 Main portion of enterprises and businesses are registered (64%).

45% of registered businesses are individual entrepreneurs, 18% small entrepreneurs.
Major portion of individual entrepreneurs are registered in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti – 69%, while small entrepreneurs in Imereti – 31%.

31% of the existing businesses and enterprises are not or have never been registered.

Major part of unregistered enterprises / businesses comes on Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 85%.
Chart 11 Legal status of enterprises Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Individual entrepreneur 45% 69% 10% 45% Small entrepreneur 31% LLC Is not/ was not 12% DK 12% 15% 2% 14% 5% 18% 1% 85% 31% 4% N=56 Average number (N=35) of women permanently employed in enterprise / business is higher than average number of permanently employed men (N=24).
Women’s engagement in business and enterprises differ by regions, the highest engagement of women is reported in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 17 permanently 19 employed women on average, Racha Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti – 12, Imereti – 6.

Average number of permanently employed men is 11 in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti, 7 in Imereti, 6 in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.
Index of seasonal employment is relatively lower among men and women, number of seasonally employed women in all three regions is 10 on average and number of seasonally employed men is 7.

Total income received from business and enterprise in all three regions was 6108 GEL in 2018.

Out of which, income was 7432 GEL in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti, 6368 GEL in Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and 2320 GEL in Imereti.

Profit exceeded loss in all three regions.


Table 8 Amount of profit – loss from business / production (GEL) Income (GEL) Loss (GEL) Imereti 1775 0 Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti 2881 207 5193 424 Total 3392 255 Main consumer of products produced by businesses is local population / Georgians (26%), produced products are mostly sold to foreign visitors (63%) in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.
Percentage ration of 15 visitors in the sales process was distributed as follows on regional level: Imereti – 0%, Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti – 18%, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 47%.

Percentage share of income received from foreign visitors is – 42%, on regional level: Imereti – 0%, Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti 17%, Samegrelo Upper Svaneti – 64%.
Chart 12 Consumer segment of produced products Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Locals / Georgians 100% 100% 90% 97% Foreign visitors 27% 63% 26% N=56 Only 9 (14%) out of business and enterprise owners (56 individuals) have made an investment to develop their business / production.
Investments mostly referred to improvement of the existing business: refurbishment (roof, rooms), renovation of bathrooms / WC, purchase of new items (beds, wardrobes), installing a heating system.

Average amount of investments made within the past two years in all three regions is 6250 GEL.

The largest share falls on investments made in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 8560 GEL on average, Racha- Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti – 450 GEL, Imereti – 500 GEL.
20 Chart 13 Investment made in business within the past two years Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes No 9% 8% 31% 91% 92% 69% 14% 86% N =56 Only 7% of citizens plan on expanding their business or starting a new one.

Main portion falls on Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (25%).
Chart 14 Expanding the existing business or starting a new business Imereti Racha Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti Yes 5% 6% 25% No 95% 93% 75% 93% Total 7% N =600 Main portion of respondents in all three regions plan on renting out a room or having a hotel / guesthouse (43%).

19% of respondents plan on producing and selling agricultural products.

It is worth mentioning that respondents plan on renting our rooms and owning guesthouses mostly in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 81%.
While respondents are more inclined to develop agricultural fields in Imereti region: production and sale of agricultural products – 29%, livestock breeding / pig farm – 12%, renting out rooms, opening a hotel / guesthouse -26%.

Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti: renting our rooms, opening a hotel / guesthouse – 49%, production and sale of agricultural products – 9 %, livestock breeding / pig farm – 9%, beekeeping – 9%.

21 Chart 15 What kind of business do you plan to start?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Renting our rooms 6% 36% 76% 28% Production and sale of agricultural products 29% Hotel / guesthouse 20% Livestock / pig farm Floriculture / florist shop 12% 14% Shop / Supermarket 8% 9% 13% 9% Beekeeping 9% 6% 5% 6% 6% 19% 15% 9% 7% 5% 4% N=47 Among those who want to start a new business, 94% believe that they have necessary skills to develop business.
Despite this, respondents name skills they think would help them in doing business.

Three most necessary skills development of which would help citizens to manage business are as follows: improvement of knowledge/skills related to production directly (46%), knowledge of English language (30%), knowledge in marketing, promoting their own products (22%).
Speaking on separate regions, the most necessary skills named in Imereti are: improvement of knowledge / skills related to production (53%), improvement of sales skills (27%), knowledge of English language (22%), knowledge in marketing /promoting products (22%), development of management skills (HR and time management) (22%).

Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti: improvement of skills related to production directly (48%), development of accounting skills (32%), knowledge of Russian language (26%).
Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti: knowledge of English language (64%), knowledge in marketing / promoting products (30%), improvement of skills / knowledge related to production directly (25%).
Table 9 Development of skills necessary for doing business Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti 12% 53% skills learn / to of related to Does not need anything to do business Improvement knowledge production directly 6% Customer Service 6% Training in hospitality Accounting skills 8% Knowledge of Russian language 6% Knowledge of English language Knowledge in basic computer programs (MS Word, e-mail, internet) Product packaging skills Advertisement / marketing Sales 0% 14% 22% 27% 22% 16% 48% 16% 9% 32% 26% 19% 5% 5% 17% 0% 0% 25% 6% 6% 13% 0% 64% 0% 0% 30% 13% Total 11% 46% 9% 7% 15% 10% 30% 1% 9% 22% 17% 22 Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total 22% Management skills (management of employees, time management) Ability transportation I only need money 0% Don’t know / refused to answer 0% to drive means of 8% 13% 0% 9% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 15% 4% 2% 1% * Sum of answers exceed 100% as more than one answer was allowed.
Community, trust, civic engagement Major portion - 93% of respondents do not plan on changing their place of residence.

Only small portion 7% (46 individuals) who want to change their place of residence, would like to move to Tbilisi (54%).

Number of those willing to move to the capital city is particularly high in Imereti region – 69%, Racha- Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti – 35%, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 29%.
Main reasons why they would like to move out include: for better employment opportunities – 56%, for being closer with relatives – 28%, for improvement of living conditions – 10%.
Chart 16 Change of place of residence Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total No 94% 92% 89% 93% Yes 6% 8% 11% 7% N=275 N=260 N=65 N=600 Table 10 Desirable location after changing place of residence District Imereti Tbilisi Chiatura Rustavi Sachkhere Imereti Kakheti Kutaisi Other Lechkhumi Tskaltubo Oni Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti N= 69% 8% 7% 6% 5% 5% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 16 Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti 35% 0% 0% 0% 13% 0% 26% 7% 6% 6% 4% 0% 23 Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti 29% 0% 0% 0% 14% 0% 14% 14% 0% 0% 0% 29% 7 Total 54% 5% 4% 3% 9% 3% 10% 4% 2% 2% 1% 3% 46 23 Chart 17 Reasons for changing place of residence Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total For better employment opportunities 58% 47% To be closer to relatives 26% 29% To imrpove living conditions 11% 12% Renting an apartment is cheaper More opportunities for education 8% 7% Unfruitful place, no yield 5% Because of child / children 0% Due to age / health condition 0% 0% 0% 0% 11% 13% Because of natural conditions (being close to river) 0% 2% 71% 43% 56% 28% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 10% 5% 4% 3% 3% 4% 1% N=16 N=23 N=7 N=46 In order to assess trust of population towards institutions, they were asked whether they trust various institutions or not.
It is worth mentioning that, various institutions have been identified that are more trusted by residents, namely: 79% of residents feel very trustful towards church, 55% of residents feel very trustful towards army.

Speaking of separate regions, trust index towards these institutions is also quite high.
As for state institutions major part of residents distrust or partially trust: political parties: partially trust – 38%, does not trust at all – 40%; Parliament of Georgia – partially trust – 37%, does not trust at all – 38%; Government – partially trust – 39%, does not trust at all – 37%; partial trust index towards local government is relatively higher – 44%, does not trust at all – 27%; Court – partially trust- 38%, does not trust at all – 29%; high trust towards police is also relatively higher – 28% as well as partial trust – 46%, does not trust at all – 14%.
Trust index towards independent non-governmental actors such as media, professional unions, non-governmental and international organizations is not homogenous: media outlets are relatively more partially trusted – 53% while 34% of respondents partially trust professional unions and 23% does not trust at all.

38% of respondents partially trust NGOs and 29% of them do not trust this institution at all.

As for international organizations – 41% of residents partially trust while 22% do not trust at all.
24 Table 11 Trust towards institutions Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total Political parties Parliament of Georgia Government I trust a lot I trust partially I trust a little I don’t trust at all Don’t know N= I trust a lot I trust partially I trust a little I don’t trust at all Don’t know N= I trust a lot I trust partially I trust a little I don’t trust at all Don’t know N= I trust a lot I trust partially I trust a little Local government I don’t trust at all Don’t know N= I trust a lot I trust partially I trust a little I don’t trust at all Don’t know N= Army Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total Court Police Church Media Professional unions I trust a lot I trust partially I trust a little I don’t trust at all Don’t know N= I trust a lot I trust partially I trust a little I don’t trust at all Don’t know N= I trust a lot I trust partially I trust a little I don’t trust at all Don’t know N= I trust a lot I trust partially I trust a little I don’t trust at all Don’t know N= I trust a lot I trust
 partially I trust a little I don’t trust at all Don’t know N= Imereti Racha
16% 2% 600 8% 34% 9% 23% 26% 600 26 Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total NGOs International organizations I trust a lot I trust partially I trust a little I don’t trust at all Don’t know N= Bad Satisfactory Good Not relevant N= Living conditions A vast majority of inquired respondents (86%) live in private house, 13% of them live in apartment.
Absolute majority (98%) of respondents inquired in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti live in private house, while this index is relatively lower in Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and equals 86%-85%.

Chart 18 In what type of dwelling do you live in?


Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Private house 86% 85% 98% 86% Apartment 14% 13% Other 1.2% 13% 0.3% N=600 As declared by 38% of respondents, the house / apartment they live in is owned by them, 42% of them are women and 58% - men.

Main owners of residential apartment are men - 65%, while number of apartments owned by women is 31%.
24% of respondents reported on other male family member(s) owning this property, while every tenth (10%) reported on other female family member(s) being owner.

23% said this is “property of me and my spouse/partner”.

Frequency of naming other cases does not exceed 1%.

27 Chart 19 Please tell me, who owns the house / apartment you are living in?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Myself alone Other male member(s) of my household Myself together with my spouse/partner Other female member(s) of my household 36% 27% 23% 9% Other relative 1% Free use Rented Central government or municipality Myself and my brother 1% 40% 18% 22% 11% 1% 2% 2% 47% 38% 8% 31% 3% 2% 24% 23% 10% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% N=600 As for area of dwelling space, the largest portion (37%) of respondents live in 61-100 sq.m.
dwelling, 26% - 101-150 sq.m., 23% - in more than 151 sq.m.

dwelling.

It is worth mentioning that compared to other regions, the largest portion of respondents (38%) living in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti own a dwelling with total space of 151 square meters or more.

Chart 20 What is approximate area of your dwelling house / apartment?

Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Up to 20 sq.m.

21-40 sq.m.

1% 3% 41-60 sq.m.

10% 61-100 sq.m.

39% 101-150 sq.m.


24% 4% 11% 36% 29% 3% 8% 28% 23% 1% 3% 11% 37% 26% More than 151 sq.m.

23% 19% 38% 23% N=600 Condition of the dwelling place is very good only for 3%.

More than half of inquired respondents (58%) believe that their dwelling requires major repair, dwelling of one third (36%) requires minor repair work while as claimed by 2% of respondents, their house/apartment is beyond repair.

Situation is better in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti compared to other regions.
33% of inquired respondents did refurbishment works at home 20 years ago or even earlier, but it is worth mentioning that Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti is distinguished for high rate of recent refurbishment works – 39% of residents repair their dwelling 5 years ago or more recently.

28 Chart 21 When was the last time you did serious refurbishment / repair works in the house you are living in?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total 5 years ago or more recently 29% 5-10 years ago 15% 10-15 years ago 11% 15-20 years ago 8% 22% 16% 9% 10% 20 years ago or even earlier 33% 40% Don't know 4% 4% 39% 28% 24% 22% 6% 6% 3% 15% 11% 8% 33% 4% N=600 Among those who claim that the other apartment is theirs only, 48% is woman and 52% man.

Apart from current dwelling place, 13% of respondents also own another dwelling space, 12% of such owners are women and 16% - men.
The highest rate of owning another apartment was reported in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (16%) and Imereti – 13%.

Only 6% (4 respondents) of residents inquired in Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti reported on having another dwelling space.

Area of the other dwelling owned by respondents is mostly 41-60 square meters (27%) or 61-100 square meters (28%).

Major part (54%) of these apartments require full repair, 29% - minor repair while only 12% of these apartments are in good condition.
Chart 22 Apart from the abovementioned dwelling, do you own another dwelling space?

Imereti Racha Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti Total Yes No 13% 87% 16% 6% 13% 84% 94% 87% N =600 29 Chart 23 Who is a legal owner of your other apartment / house?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Myself only 36% Me and my spouse/partner together Other female member(s) of my family 10% 6% Other male member(s) of my family 43% 45% 24% 6% 21% 52% 48% Other relative 2% Child is a legal owner 3% 4% 40% 15% 6% 35% 2% 3% N=81 Absolute majority of respondents (100%) are provided with electricity supply.

59% of respondents have natural gas supply, 34% - have bottled gas.
Natural gas is mostly provided to respondents inquired in Imereti (77%) while none of the respondents inquired in Samegrelo Upper Svaneti region reported on having natural gas provided.

Bottled gas is used by the largest portion of respondents (67%) in Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, 43% in Samegrelo Upper Svaneti and only one fifth (20%) use bottled gas in Imereti.
As for quality of electricity and natural gas supply, satisfaction level is significantly high equally in all regions: electricity – good/ very good – 92%, natural gas – good/very good – 99%.
Table 12 Accessibility of energy resources and their quality Electricity Natural gas Bottled gas Yes 100% 59% 34% No 0% 41% 66% Very bad 1% 1% Quality Bad 7% 0% Good 69% 67% Very good 23% 32% Gas is the most frequently used (80%) for cooking, however, differences by regions are significant – 89% and 70% of respondents living in Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti use gas for cooking, while only one fifth (21%) of respondents use this source for cooking in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.
In contrary, respondents living in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti most frequently use (74%) electricity for cooking, while frequency of using electricity is significantly lower in Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi and equals 7% and 25% respectively.

As for heating, the most frequently used source in all three regions is firewood and in total, 82% of inquired respondents reported on using this source.

22% of respondents use gas.
Table 13 Energy sources used for cooking and heating For cooking For heating Electricity Gas Coal / charcoal Firewood Bottled gas Electricity Gas Firewood Imereti (N=275) 7% 89% 1% 32% 3% 2% 30% 74% Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (N=260) 25% 70% Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (N=65) 74% 21% 0% 69% 9% 2% 4% 96% 0% 99% 0% 26% 0% 100% Total (N=600) 16% 80% 1% 45% 4% 3% 22% 82% 30 Main source of drinking water is reported to be centralized water supply tap water from inside the house (28%), one fourth (25%) of inquired residents use spring water, 17% - tap water.
No significant differences have been reported by regions.
Chart 24 Main source of drinking water Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Tap water inside the house (centralized water supply) Spring water Tap water inside the house Tap water in the yard 30% 28% 13% 8% 26% 20% 27% 21% 22% 18% 13% 16% Own well 11% Tap water in yard (centralized water supply) 3% Communal well 4% 5% 7% 1% 7% 28% 25% 17% 10% 9% 4% 3% N=600 As for regularity of water supply, more than half of the respondents (53%) reported on uninterrupted water supply.
The best condition from this point of view is reported in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti where 92% of residents declared that water is constantly supplied.

72% of respondents have uninterrupted water supply in Samegrelo Upper Svaneti while only one third (36%) have constant water in Imereti.
Chart 25 Frequency of water supply Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total No water supply system in the household 12% 1% 8% Constant 36% 92% 72% 53% Twice a day for several hours Once a day for several hours 14% 11% Every other day for several hours 9% Less than every other day 18% 2% 1% 1% 3% 3% 6% 2% 15% 10% 8% 7% 14% N=600 For 46% of respondents water supply is sufficient/satisfactory, 26% reported that it is sometimes satisfactory while 28% claimed that it is always unsatisfactory.
It is also worth mentioning that for the largest group of respondents inquired in Imereti (40%) water supply is always unsatisfactory, while this index is only 5% in Racha Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and 2% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.

31 70% of respondents living in target regions believe that water supply process remained the same and has not changed over the past 5 years.

Only 23% believes that it has improved.


74% of Imereti residents believe that water supply quality has not changed and remained the same, 16% says it has improved.

68% of respondents living in Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti believe that water supply quality has not changed while 26% claimed it has improved.

74% of respondents in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti believe that the quality of water supply is the same while 27% of respondents thin it has improved.
Chart 26 Volume of provided water Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes, always sufficient 34% 70% 57% 46% Supply of water is sometimes insufficient 26% 24% 41% 26% Supply of water is always insufficient 40% 5% 2% 28% N=562 One fourth (25%) of inquired respondents assess quality of water used for household purposes as bad, quality is satisfactory for 27% and good for 38%.
In this case too, the highest level of dissatisfaction is reported in Imereti region where 42% of respondents described water as very bad / bad, while only 20% of respondents gave the same assessment in Racha Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and 8% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.

76% of respondents living in target regions believe that quality of water similar to water supply quality has not changed.

Only 16% of them believe that quality of water has improved.
Major part of respondents in separate target regions believe that the quality of water remained the same: Imereti – 74%, Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti – 78%, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 87%.
Chart 27 Quality of water used for household purposes Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Very bad Bad Satisfactory 43% 24% 19% 21% Good 28% 4% 16% 20% 34% 33% Very good 8% 36% 45% 12% 8% 8% 65% 22% 6% 28% Total 17% 25% 18% 27% 29% 38% 9% N=562 39% of inquired respondents believe that turbidity of water during rain is a problem which is related to water, another problem related to water is supply of unfiltered of water.
As declared by focus group participants, residents of village type settlements have their own reservoir which supplies people with 32 water by means of pipes, reservoir needs to be cleaned after water which is managed by residents with their own resources.

Chart 28 Please name all the problems related to water and sewage system?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Water turbidity increases during rain Unfiltered water is supplied to residents Waste water from sewage goes into the river 41% 42% 16% Lack of sewer system Water is supplied with schedule Lack of water system Sewage system problem in general Water system problem in general 6% 7% 5% 3% 2% I don't have any problem 21% DK 3% 35% 22% 6% 14% 1% 1% 1% 38% 2% 35% 32% 27% 39% 36% 14% 8% 5% 4% 2% 2% 37% 11% 27% 3% N=600 As believed by respondents, local government is responsible for solving problems related to water and sewage system.
59% of inquired residents have pit latrine, 53% of them have flush toilet.

Pit latrine is more prevalent in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (71%).

69% of inquired respondents are not connected to sewage system.

36% of respondents assess operation of sewage system as bad, only 18% as good, while 13% - satisfactory.
Level of satisfaction with operation of sewage system is almost equal in all three regions, operation of this system is assessed as good by 17% of residents in Imereti, 20% in Racha Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 18% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.

As believed by 74% of respondents living in target regions, condition of sewage system has not changed over the past five years and remained the same.

Only 15% of them believe that condition has improved while 11% claimed it has worsened.
Major part of respondents living in separate regions believe that situation has not changed in their regions in terms of sewage system: Imereti – 76%, Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti- 69% and Samegrelo Upper Svaneti – 78%.
Chart 29 Type of toilet Imereti Racha - Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti Total Flush toilet Pit latrine 53% 54% 53% 68% 57% 71% 53% 59% N =600 33 Chart 30 Being connected to centralized sewage system Imereti Racha Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes No 31% 29% 69% 71% 36% 64% 31% 69% N =600 85% of inquired respondents declare that they throw their waste on special designated areas and in trash cans, however, it is also worth mentioning that 13% of respondents throw their waste at self-arranged areas.
This practice is mostly prevalent in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (23%).

As it turns out during conversation with municipalities, all three municipalities have approved waste management plan and the respective agency, which is responsible for waste collection and management.

However, it is worth mentioning waste management vehicle removes waste only alongside asphalt roads of municipalities while secondary village roads do not have asphalt surface.
As noted by focus group participants, if a trash bin is located in the entrance of the village and the resident lives at the other end of the village, he will not bring trash to the bin, but will throw it in the ravine or river.

Chart 31 Where do you throw waste / garbage?


Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Special area designated by local municipality 90% 76% 78% 85% Self-arranged dump Stream / river / forest / hidden area 9% 1% 23% 16% 13% 1% 2% 1% N=600 Almost half (49%) of respondents in all three regions assess waste management service as good, 18% - satisfactory, 12%- bad.
Service of waste management service is assessed as good by 51% of Imereti residents, 45% in Racha Lechkhumi Lower Svaneti and 51% in Samegrelo Upper Svaneti.

Overall, residents of all three regions are more satisfied with the service provided by waste management agency.

As believed by 60% of respondents living in Imereti, Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti, service of waste management agency has improved.

37% believes that it remained the service.


On regional level, the largest portion of respondents in Imereti – 63% believe that service has improved, 58% thinks so in Racha Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 45% in Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti.
52% of respondents living in Samegrelo Upper Svaneti believe that quality of service has not changed over the past 5 years and remained the same, relatively smaller number of respondents share this position in other regions: 35% in Imereti and 38% in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti.

As declared by 96% of inquired respondents, irrigation system is not available for them.
Focus group participants from Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti as well as from Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti noted that they rarely irrigate due to climate conditions.

34 Chart 32 Is irrigation system accessible and do you use it?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes, available and we use it Yes, available, but we do not use it 3% 1% 2% 1% 3% N=600 5% 1% Is not available 96% 97% 95% 96% 63% of inquired respondents believe that their general living conditions are satisfactory.

Share of those who rated their living conditions as good or very good is almost equal by regions (12-15%).
28% of residents in Samegrelo –Upper Svaneti believe that their living conditions are poor or very poor, similar is assessment of Imereti residents (26%).

Chart 33 In general, how would you evaluate your household’s living conditions?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Very bad 7% Bad 19% 26% Satisfactory Good 10% Very good 2% 62% 12% 4% 17% 13% 3% 28% 25% 69% 13% 13% 57% 15% 13% 2% 6% 18% 24% 63% 11% 1% 12% N=600 As believed by inquired respondents, poor condition of walls and floor as well as damp are among the problems which are related to living conditions.

Absence of utility services (sewage system, water supply and gas supply) was also named among problems.
Chart 34 Please name all the problems related to your household’s living conditions?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Damp Poor condition of walls and floor Absence of sewage system Insects 45% 44% 43% 45% Water supply 53% Gas upply Poor condition of roof (leaking) Absence of heating 21% 24% 14% Lack o space 10% Electricity supply Nothing N=600 35 Livelihood resources and agriculture More than half (52%) of inquired respondents use firewood, as well as edible plants and mushrooms (16%) and hay (11%).
Frequency of using all other forest resources does not exceed 6%.

42% of respondents do not use forest resources at all, largest portion falls on Imereti region (52%) followed by Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti (24%) and Samegrelo Upper Svaneti (17%).

Respectively, the largest share of inquired respondents in Samegrelo Upper Svaneti use firewood (83%), while the same index is 74% in Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and 40% in Imereti.
Forest resources such as hay, berries and medicinal herbs are more used in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti compared to other two regions, while edible plants and mushrooms are the least used.

Chart 35 What kind of forest resources do you use?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total We do not use forest resources 51% 24% 17% Firewood 40% 74% 83% Edible plants and mushrooms 17% Hay 5% Berries Medicinal herbs Timber for construction 4% 2% 0% 15% 20% 9% 5% 1% N=275 N=260 6% 35% 22% 12% 0% N=65 42% 52% 16% 11% 6% 3% 1% N=600 81% of respondents own /use land parcel, there are slight differences on regional level – land is most used in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (89%), followed by Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (84%) and Imereti (80%).
Average total number of used/owned land parcels is 2.5.

Chart 36 Do you own / use land parcel?

Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes No 80% 84% 21% 16% 89% 11% 81% 19% N=600 36 Table 14 How many land parcels do you own / use?
Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Number of owned / used land parcels 2.6 N 217 2.3 219 2 58 Total 2.5 494 40% of land parcels are fully owned by respondents, among them percentage ratio of women is 32% and 68% of men.

These cases are more reported in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti where more than half of land parcels (54%) belong to respondents personally compared to Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (41%) and Imereti (38%).
27% of land parcels belong to other male family member(s), 22% of land parcels are owned by respondents and their spouse/partner, 25% of this segment – spouse / partner are women and 7% - men.

Chart 37 Who is an owner of land parcel?


Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Myself only 38% 41% 54% 40% Other male member(s) of my family 30% 24% 5% 27% Me and my spouse/partner 21% Other female member(s) of my family 12% 22% 12% 31% 22% 10% 12% Other relative 1% 1% N=220 N=221 N=58 1% N=499 Table 15 What is area of land owned by your HH?

Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total Average area (square meters) 3199 sq.m.

2517sq.m.
2517sq.m.

4161sq.m.

3062 sq.m.

N 214 211 48 473 74% of inquired respondents noted that they harvest fruit and average amount of harvested fruit in all three regions during the last year is 72 kg.

More respondents (75% equally) harvest fruit in Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti than in Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti (61%), but amount of harvested fruit is relatively higher in Samegrelo (averagely 183 kg), while average amount is 125 kg in Racha – Lechkhumi Lower Svaneti and 43 kg in Imereti.
After fruit, the largest number of inquired respondents harvest vegetables (71%), maize (67%), grapes (64%) and beans (51%).

Equal number of respondents living in three regions harvest vegetables, frequency of harvesting above-mentioned other crops, as well as amount of yield, differ by region.
37 Chart 38 Harvested product Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Fruit Maize Vegetables Grapes Beans Potato Hazelnut Walnut Do not harvest… Hard to answer N=220 N=222 N=58 N=500 Table 16 Amount of yield in kg Fruit N Vegetable N Maize N Beans N Grapes N Potato N Other N Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total 43 kg 137 46 kg 150 257 kg 147 24 kg 76 265 kg 147 120 kg 44 39 kg 5 125 kg 153 67 kg 153 333 kg 129 42 kg 139 358 kg 141 241 kg 86 95 kg 14 183 kg 19 46 kg 17 125 kg 11 17 kg 17 79 kg 9 699 kg 36 0 kg 0 72 kg 309 52 kg 320 275 kg 287 31 kg 232 288 kg 297 245 kg 166 70 kg 19 Cases of using pesticides for cultivation of products were not reported in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti, inquired residents cultivate crops except for maize without using pesticides, in case of maize, 7% of respondents reported on using pesticides.
Speaking of fruit, only 1% of residents living in Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti use it, while portion of such respondents is 6% in Imereti.

Practice of using pesticides in case of vegetables and maize is relatively higher in these two regions, but the rate is particularly high in Imereti in case of potato (48%).

Table 17 Do you use pesticides for cultivation?
Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total Fruit Vegetable Yes No N= Yes No N= 6% 95% 165 23% 77% 156 1% 100% 173 19% 81% 162 0% 100% 35 0% 100% 40 4% 96% 373 20% 80% 358 38 Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total Maize Beans Grapes Potato Yes No N= Yes No N= Yes No N= Yes No N= From those respondents who cultivate certain crops, 39% use mixed seeding practice and this practice is the most frequently used in case of beans and maize (97%).
Mixed seeding practice is mostly used in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (44%) and Imereti (40%) unlike Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (13%).

This practice is mostly used in case of maize and beans.

Chart 39 Do you used mixed seeding practice?

Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total No 61% 56% 87% 61% Yes 40% 44% 13% 39% N=220 N=222 N=58 N=500 Chart 40 What kind of crops do you seed together?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Beans and maize 99% 95% 43% 97% Potato and beans 3% Other 4% 15% 8% 71% 8% 5% N=86 N=95 N=7 N=188 Half of inquired respondents (50%) own poultry, 44% - cow, 14% - pig, while 6% own bees.

Frequency of naming other domestic animals is insignificant and does not exceed 1%, including sheep.

Frequency of owning poultry is the highest in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (54%), cows are mostly owned in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti (56%).
More respondents have pig and bees in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti than in other two regions.
39 Chart 41 Ownership of domestic animals Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Poultry (chicken, goose, duck) Cow Pig 12% Bees 4% Sheep 1% Horse 0.4% Donkey 0.3% 50% 42% 54% 49% 39% 56% 50% 44% 21% 13% 1% 2% 0% 6% 3% 3% 5% 0% 14% 6% 1% 1% 0.2% None 38% N=275 32% N=260 26% 36% N=65 N=600 Table 18 Quantity of domestic animals Poultry N= Bees hives N= Sheep N= Cow N= Pig N= Horse N= Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total of respondents use pastures and approximately the same portion declares that pastures do not differ by seasons.
Chart 42 Do you use pastures?

Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes No 53% 47% 63% 66% 37% 34% 57% 43% N=174 N=176 N=48 N=398 40 Chart 43 Are the pastures the same in summer and winter?

Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes 72% 38% 22% 58% No 28% 62% 78% 42% N=91 N=114 N=32 N=237 The majority of residents’ use produced or harvested goods for household consumption mostly.
In minor cases products are being produced for selling only, but there is mixed practice as well.

For instance, households in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti consume fruits and vegetables and produced products at home as well as sell it (8%, 5% respectively).

Practice of consuming and selling livestock products is relatively more prevalent (19%), in all other regions practice of selling as well as mixed practice in case of any product does not exceed 5%.
Table 19 Household consumption VS product to sell Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total For household consumption only 82% 80% Fruits and vegetables For sale Both None N= For household consumption only Secondary (produced) products from fruit / agriculture For sale Both None N= Animal husbandry / poultry (eggs, milk) Secondary (produced) products from livestock (cheese, meat) For household consumption only For sale Both None N= For household consumption only For sale Both None Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total N= For household consumption only For sale Both None N= 275 5% 0% 1% 94% 275 260 12% 1% 2% 85% 260 65 4% 0% 0% 96% 65 600 7% 1% 1% 92% 600 Beekeeping (honey) As for income received from selling products, the majority of cases were reported in income received from animal husbandry and its total amount in all three regions is 620 GEL over the past year.
This income equals 905 GEL for Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti region.
Table 20 Income from selling products Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total Fruits and vegetables N= Secondary (produced) products from fruit / agriculture N= Livestock husbandry (egg, milk) N= Secondary (produced) products from animal husbandry (cheese, meat) N= Beekeeping (honey) N= 233 GEL 3 849 GEL 14 537 GEL 2341 GEL 2 297 GEL 5 5 416 GEL 2 570 GEL 334 GEL 14 733 GEL 3 3 664 GEL 6 Household incomes, expenses and assets 1087 GEL 3 853 GEL 3 500 GEL 1 905 GEL 10 0 GEL 0 674 GEL 20 1367 GEL 10 320 GEL 8 620 GEL 27 696 GEL 9 Almost half (47%) of inquired respondents do not have enough money to buy food, situation is even more severe in Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi, where 49% and 47% respectively reported on such condition, only 16% of respondents inquired in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti reported on not having enough money to buy food.
As claimed by 22% of respondents, they have enough food to buy food, but have hard time affording clothes, one fifth (19%) of respondents have enough money to buy food and clothes but cannot afford pricey long-term consumption goods.

Every tenth (10%) respondent can from time to time purchase long-term consumption items, but hardly afford luxurious assets or tour to travel abroad.

42 Chart 44 Which of the statements below best describes your household’s financial condition?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total There is not enough money even for food, we have to go into debt or get help from relatives or friends 49% 47% 16% 47% There is enough money for food, but we have difficulty with buying clothes 19% 27% 38% 22% There is enough money for food and clothes, but purchasing expensive durable goods such as a TV or refrigerator, are a problem for us 17% 20% 44% 19% We can buy durable goods from time to time, but purchasing more expensive things, such as an automobile, home, or a trip abroad, are beyond our means 12% 6% 2% 10% Refused to answer 2% 0% 0% 2% N=275 N=260 N=65 N=600 Average monthly income of households is 704 GEL.
The highest monthly average income is reported in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti (754 GEL) followed by Imereti (725 GEL).

While average monthly income of households living in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti is 644 GEL.

Table 21 Considering all sources of income, what is your household’s monthly average income?
Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Household’s monthly average income 725 N= 264 644 254 754 61 Total 704 579 Income of half (49%) of the inquired respondents has not changed over the past 5 years, 22% reported on increased income while 29% has decreased income.

As for difference on regional level, the largest portion of respondents in Imereti reported on decreased income (32%), while the highest growth was reported in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (30%).
43 Chart 45 Has your income changed over the past 5 years?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Significantly decreased 10% 2% 32% 23% Decreased 22% 21% 25% 25% 7% 29% 22% Has not changed 49% 47% 62% 49% Increased 20% 30% 13% N=275 N=260 N=65 22% N=600 As claimed by 57% of respondents, they have only one source of income, as for ultimate sources of income, these mostly income pension and other social allowances (70%), salary from public sector (33%) and salary from private sector (27%).
As claimed by 89% of respondents, main sources of their income are not seasonal.

Table 22 Please tell me, which of three listed below are sources of your household’s income?

Among them, which one is first?

Second?

Third?
Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total t s - 1 d n - 2 d r - 3 t s - 1 d n - 2 d r - 3 t s - 1 d n - 2 d r - 3 t s - 1 d n - 2 d r - 3 l a t o T Salary from public sector Salary from private sector Yield from crop (including sales) Domestic animals (including sales) Pension and other social allowance Allowance from relatives living in our settlement Remittance from relative living elsewhere Renting our private property Private business (excluding street trade) Street trade / bazaar 44 Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total t s - 1 d n - 2 d r - 3 t s - 1 d n - 2 d r - 3 t s - 1 d n - 2 d r - 3 t s - 1 d n - 2 d r - 3 4% 9% 15% 3% 7% 13% 4% 10% 0% 1% 3% 0% 0% 13% 0% 0% 0% 0% 4% 9% 13% 0% 1% 5% l a t o T 6% 1% 159 83 33 154 82 24 26 31 8 339 196 65 600 Temporary jobs Production of honey N= Chart 46 Are your main sources of income seasonal?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total No 90% 89% 80% 89% Yes, I have more income in winter 8% Yes, I have more income on spring 1% Yes, I have more income on autumn 1% 5% 1% 5% 14% 2% 5% 7% 1% 3% N=275 N=260 N=65 N=600 Averagely 27% of products consumed by respondents are produced/harvested by them, 4% of food is hunted/caught fish/collected in the forest, while 80% of food is purchased.
Table 23 What part of products consumed by your household is: Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Produced / harvested by you N= Hunted / caught fish / food collected in the forest N= Purchased N= 25% 201 3% 12 82% 270 29% 203 6% 13 77% 257 32% 55 10% 1 73% 65 Total 27% 459 4% 26 80% 592 Almost half – 47% of respondents believe that their household has partially adequate nutrition, 17% believes their nutrition is completely adequate while 37% of respondents claim that their families do not have adequate nutrition.
45 Chart 47 Do you believe your household’s nutrition is adequate?

Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes 15% 17% 40% 17% Partially 47% 47% 42% No 38% 36% 19% 47% 37% N=273 N=260 N=65 N=598 As for household expenses, in total, 49% of expenses are spent on food, 23% - on medical service and medications, 12% - on utility bills.

Expense of utility bills is lower in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti but cost of food is higher.
As declared by focus group participants, price of products sold in Mestia bazaar is two times higher compared to prices in Zugdidi or Kutaisi.

Table 24 What part of your household’s income is spent on the following per month?
Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total Food N= Land / house lease / rent N= Utility bills and fuel N= Medical service / medications N= Education N= Transport N= Leisure / entertainment N= Other N= Utility bills are mostly timely paid in two target regions, with only exception of Mestia municipality where 72% of residents do not pay bills at all.
46 Chart 48 In general, how simple is it for you to pay utility bills (gas, electricity, water and phone) in timely manner?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes, we always make payments without delay Sometimes we make payments with a small delay 8% We always make payments with a great delay 1% We do not pay utility bills at all 0% 91% 92% 9% 86% 7% 1% 0% 12% 8% 8% 1% 72% 4% N=275 N=260 N=65 N=600 The most frequently owned item is mobile phone (93%), refrigerator (92%), colour TV (86%) and washing machine (76%).
32% of respondents own a car, while one fourth (25%) of respondents have personal computer / notebook.

Table 25 Do you own / use the following items?
Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total Colour TV Satellite dish Landline phone Mobile phone Internet / Wi-Fi Radio Personal computer / notebook Washing machine Refrigerator Motorcycle Car Bicycle N= of respondents have a loan or credit, number of such respondents is higher in Imereti and Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti (45%-40% respectively), while number of such respondents is 28% in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti.
Total average amount of credit is 6966 GEL.

47 Chart 49 Do you or your family member has a loan or credit to pay?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes No 45% 54% 40% 28% 43% 60% 70% 57% Refused to answer 1% N=275 0% N=260 2% N=65 1% N=600 Table 26 Amount of loan Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total Total amount of credit / loan 6868 GEL 6548 GEL 11890 GEL 6966 GEL N= 221 98 17 236 As for perception of inquired respondents on their settlement’s economic condition, 39% of them believe that condition has worsened over the past 5 years, 43% of respondents think that nothing has changed while 16% reported on improvement.
No significant differences have been reported on regional level from this point of view.

Chart 50 In your opinion, has economic condition of your settlement improved or worsened over the past 5 years?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Significantly worsened 8% 5% 7% Worsened 31% 33% Has not changed 41% 49% 38% 47% 32% 43% Improved 17% 12% 12% 16% Significantly improved 0.3% Don't know 2% 0% 2% 0% 3% 0.2% 2% N=275 N=260 N=65 N=600 48 Health condition Inquired respondents needed to seek out for medical help at different times, mostly: 1-6 months ago - - 27%, over the past month - 24%, one year ago or earlier -20%.
Almost half – 46% of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti residents needed medical help a year ago or earlier.

Residents sought medical help for various reasons, major part because of various diseases – 69%, for medical check-up – 19%.
Chart 51 Need to receive medical help Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total One year ago or earlier 19% 6-12 months ago 11% 1-6 months ago Over the past one month 27% 25% 19% 14% 28% 24% 13% 17% 19% Over the past one week 18% 15% 5% N=275 N=260 N=65 46% 20% 12% 27% 24% 17% N=600 48% of residents living in three regions receive medical help in their city/municipality, 21% in the capital city and 19% in regional centre.
Compared to other regions, relative lower portion of respondents living in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti receives medical help in their city / municipality – 37%, 53% in Imereti and 52% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.

More than half (57%) of respondents in all three regions seek medical help at hospital as well as at polyclinic (24%).

Three main ways of transportation are: car ride – 57%, by foot - 14%, ambulance – 12%.
The highest rate of reaching medical facility by car is reported in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 74%.

67% of respondents in all three regions believe that if needed, medications are available for them, 17% believe that medications are not available while 16% think that only certain part of medications are available.
Perception on availability of medications differ by regions, namely: 71% of respondents in Imereti, 61% in Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 47% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti believe that medications are accessible for them.
Chart 52 Accessibility of medications Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes, the majority of medicines are easily accessible Yes, but only certain part of medicines are accessible 71% 61% 47% 67% 12% 19% 45% 16% No 17% 20% 8% N=275 N=260 N=65 17% N=600 49 As for change of accessibility of medicines over the past five years, more than half – 52% of respondents believe that medicines have become more accessible.
As believed by 59% of Imereti residents, accessibility of medications has increased over the past five years, the same opinion is shared by 41% of respondents in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 27% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.

As believed by 22% of respondents, medicines have become less accessible.

This statement is shared by relatively less people in Imereti region – 19%, and relative more respondents in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti region – 36%.
Chart 53 Change in terms of accessibility of medicines over the past five years Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total yes, became more easily accessible 59% 41% 27% 52% Yes, became less accessible 19% 25% 36% 22% Has not changed 22% 34% 38% 26% N=275 N=260 N=65 N=600 As for financial affordability, major part of respondents believe that medications are not financially affordable – 90%.
This statement is shared by the majority of respondents living in separate regions: Imereti – 92%, Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti – 87%, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 80%.

Financial affordability of medicines has worsened over the past five years – this statement is shared by 79% of respondents in all three regions, while 16% believe that situation has not changed.
Chart 54 Financial affordability of medicines Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total No 92% 87% 80% 90% Yes 8% 13% 20% 10% N=275 N=260 N=65 N=600 50 Chart 55 Change of financial accessibility of medications over the past 5 years Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Yes, became less affordable 82% 77% 63% 79% Yes, became more affordable 4% 8% 4% 5% Has not changed 15% 15% N=275 N=260 33% N=65 16% N=600 61% of respondents in all three regions declare that all of their family members have medical insurance while family members of 26% of respondents do not have medical insurance.
Compared to other regions: Imereti – 27%, Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti – 27%, number of people whose family members do not have do not have medical insurance is small and equals 8%.
Chart 56 Having medical insurance Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Yes, all of them 60% 63% 65% Total 61% Yes, some of them 10% None 27% Don't know 3% 7% 3% 27% 15% 8% 12% 10% 26% 3% N=275 N=260 N=65 N=600 61% of residents in all three regions believe that their health condition and accessibility of healthcare has not changed over the past five years.
In separate regions, this statement is shared by 59% of residents living in Imereti, 63% in Racha-Lechkhumi – Upper Svaneti, 81% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.

As believed by 29% of residents, health and accessibility of healthcare has deteriorated over the past five years.

In regions, this statement is shared by 31% of Imereti residents, 27% of Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti residents and only 12% of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti residents.
Those who believe that condition in terms of health and accessibility of healthcare deteriorated name three main reasons: deterioration of health condition – 48%, increased prices on medicines – 14%, increased prices in general – 13%, absence of proper economic condition – 10%.

It is also worth mentioning that 16% of residents living in Racha- Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti blame aging for deterioration of health.
51 Chart 57 Change of health condition and accessibility of healthcare over the past 5 years Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total Improved 10% 10% Deteriorated 31% 27% 6% 12% 10% 29% Has not changed 59% N=275 63% N=260 81% 61% N=65 N=600 Education 86% of residents in all three regions do not have children of kindergarten age.

Among those who have children of this age, 12% takes them to kindergarten, 3% - do not.
From those who do not take kids to kindergarten name unavailability of kindergarten (39%).

Most severely this problem prevails in Racha- Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti – 92% and Imereti – 25%.

Chart 58 In case there is a child in your household of the proper age, does s/he go to kindergarten?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total We do not have children of this age 84% 92% 80% 86% Yes 13% No 3% 6% 2% 18% 12% 2% 3% N=275 N=260 N=65 N=600 74% of residents in all three regions do not have children of school age, among those who do have school- age children, 25% take them to school, only 1% of respondents do not.

Number of such cases is very insignificant and is reported only in Imereti region.
Main reason is that child has completed nine grades and quit the school, there are also children going to school this year.

Chart 59 In case there is a school-age child in your household, does s/he go to school?
Imereti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Total We do not have school-age child 71% 81% 78% 74% Yes 28% 19% 22% 25% No 1% 0% 0% 1% N=275 N=260 N=65 N=600 52 42% of respondents in all three regions evaluate condition of kindergartens as good, 21% think that condition is satisfactory while 25% of respondents are not informed.

Condition of schools is assessed as good by more than half – 51% of residents in all three regions, 26% - satisfactory and 12% of respondents are not informed.
It is worth mentioning that 42% of respondents living in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti assess condition of school as satisfactory, only 32% assessed the condition to be good while in other regions condition of school is assessed as good by 51% of respondents in Imereti and 55% in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti.
As for change in general condition of kindergarten over the past five years, 53% of regions believe that situation has improved, 27% of respondents are not informed while 16% believe that it has not changed.

In separate regions condition of kindergartens is believed to be improved over the past five years by 57% of respondents living in Imereti, 67% in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 39% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.
59% of respondents positively assess change in condition of schools, 22% of them believe that general condition has not changed while 16% were not informed on the topic.

Speaking of separate regions: 58% in Imereti, 67% in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 34% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti believe that condition of schools has improved.

Following general tendency, condition of schools and kindergartens is satisfactory for respondents and situation has changed positively over the past five years.
Community infrastructure and services For the scopes of the study it is important to assess development level of infrastructure available in three regions (Imereti, Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti).

Respondents were asked to assess various infrastructural components.

Roads – 43% of respondents living in these regions assess condition of roads as good, 23% - as poor.

Respondents living in Imereti are the most satisfied with condition of roads and 48% of them rated it as good.
39% of residents of Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti asses condition of roads as poor, number of such respondents in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti is 35%.

61% of residents of all three regions believe that condition of roads has improved in their regions.

Portion of citizens who think that road infrastructure has improved is particularly high in Imereti (70%), the same assessment is shared by 48% of respondents in Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti and 29% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.
More than half (54%) of respondents living in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti believe that condition of roads remained the same, this is how 39% of respondents living in Racha Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 21% in Imereti think.

Public transport – 40% of residents assess service of public transport as good, 30% as satisfactory and 18% as poor.
The highest level of satisfaction with public transport is reported in Imereti (48%) while respondents living in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti are the most dissatisfied – 39% of them evaluated work of public transport as poor, 35% of respondents living in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneit assess condition of public transport as poor.

53 59% of respondents inquired in regions believe that condition of public transport remained the same.

37% of them believe that it has improved.


As believed by major portion (88%) of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti residents, condition in terms of public transport is the same, while 5% believe that condition of public transport has improved.

69% of respondents living in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti believe that condition of public transport remained the same, 26% believe that it has improved.
43% of Imereti residents think that condition of public transport has improved while as believed by 53% situation has not changed and remained the same.

Communications – communications are assessed as good by half of inquired respondents (50%) and as satisfactory by 28%.

8% of respondents living in regions are not satisfied with work of communications and assess the condition as poor.
Satisfaction level with communications service is similar in separate regions, service is assessed to be good by 51% of respondents living in Imereti, 45% in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 51% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.

Overall, communications service is satisfactory or good for 78% of respondents.

Quality of services related to communications has not changed over the past five years – this is how 61% of respondents in all three regions believe.
35% of respondents think that situation has improved in their regions.

70% of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti residents think that quality of services has remained the same, this is how 64% of respondents think in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 58% in Imereti region.

However, in the same regions – 29% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti, 32% in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 36% in Imereti believe that quality of services related to communications has improved.
Financial services (banks, ATMs) – respondents assess financial service as good – 38% and as satisfactory – 23%.

25% of respondents are not satisfied and assess financial services as poor.

Satisfaction with financial services is the highest in Imereti region and 65% of respondents assess it as good or satisfactory, 56% of residents in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 39% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti share this assessment.
Similar to other infrastructural services, as believed by 63% of respondents living in target regions situation has not changed in terms of availability of financial services.

29% of respondents believe that quality of access to financial services has improved over the past five years.

Accessibility of financial services remained the same for 78% of respondents in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti, 65% in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 62% in Imereti.
Local government / administration – 80% of residents are satisfied with work of local government and assess it as satisfactory or good.

14% of residents assessed work of local government as poor.

91% of residents living in Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti, 81% in Imereti and 73% in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti are satisfied with how local government works and assess it as good or satisfactory.
24% of respondents living three regions believe that quality of work of local government / administration has improved while the majority – 69% believe that quality of their work has not changed over the past five years.

Work of local government / administration is believed to be improved by 26% of respondents living in Imereti, 20% in Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 20% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.
67% of respondents living in Imereti region, 72% in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svneti and 69% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti believe that quality of work provided by local government / administration has not changed and remained the same.

Fight against crime and police – in general, tendency of assessing work of governmental agencies is positive in all three regions.

Residents of target regions assess fight against crime and work of police – 54 40% as good and 38% as satisfactory.
Only 7% of respondents are not satisfied with how police work and assess it as poor.

It is worth mentioning that none of the respondents living in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti region assess work of police and fight against crime as poor.

Fight against crime and work of police is assessed as satisfactory or good by 79% of Imereti residents, 76% of Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti residents and 87% of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti residents.
Similar to the quality of other infrastructural services, ass believed by 64% of respondents, quality of fight against crime and work of police has not changed over the past five years and remained the same.

Only 28% of respondents believed that quality has improved.

In separate regions: 62% of Imereti residents, 71% of Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti residents and 55% of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti residents believe that quality of service provided by police has not changed.
Only 29% of Imereti residents, 21% of Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti residents and 44% of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti residents think that quality of service has improved over the past five years.

Recreation areas (sport facilities) – 20% of inquired residents believe that they are not supposed to evaluate recreation areas.

24% of target groups believe recreation zones as satisfactory, 27% as good and 28% as poor.
It is worth mentioning that only 12% of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti residents believe that recreation areas are well developed, 45% assessed them as satisfactory.

Overall, recreation areas in Imereti region are assessed as good or satisfactory by 48% of respondents, 59% in Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti and 57% in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti.

63% of respondents in three regions think that accessibility of recreation zones has not changed over the past five years, 30% believe it has improved.
Almost the same quantity of respondents in separate regions believe that availability of recreation areas remained the same in their regions: Imereti – 62%, Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti- 64%, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti - 70%.

Accessibility of recreational zones is believed to be improved over the past five years by 30% of Imereti residents, 30% of Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti residents and 28% of Samegrelo Upper Svaneti residents.
Entertainment (cinema, theatre, club) – 37% of residents living in target regions believe that this topic is not applicable for them.

It is worth mentioning that residents of target regions are particularly critical when evaluating this criterion and almost half of them (44%) assessed availability of this infrastructure as poor.

Only 9% rate it as good and 10% as satisfactory.


In separate regions, accessibility of entertainment facilities is assessed as poor: Imereti – 44%, Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti – 47%, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti 31%.

Only 17% of Imereti residents assess accessibility of entertainment facilities as satisfactory or good, this is how 23% of Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti residents and 27% of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti residents think.
Lack of entertainment facilities is topical problem for all three regions.

79% of residents think that this problem has not been solved over the past five years and remained the same.

8% believes that it has worsened and 10% claims that situation has improved.
Major portion of respondents in all three regions in general as well as in separate regions think that situation has not changed in terms of entertainment facilities: Imereti – 76%, Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti – 86%, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 83%.

55 Table 27 How would you evaluate existing conditions in your settlement?
Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo Upper Svaneti – Total Roads Public transport Communications Financial services (banks, ATMs) Local administration government / Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent Not applicable N= Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent Not applicable N= Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent Not applicable N= Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent Not applicable N= Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo Upper Svaneti – Total Crime and police Recreation areas (sport facilities) Not applicable N= Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent Not applicable N= Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent Not applicable N= Poor Satisfactory Entertainment facilities Good Excellent N= Table 28 How have these conditions changed over the past five years?
Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo Upper Svaneti – Total Roads Deteriorated 8% Remained the same 21% Improved Don’t know N= 70% 2% 270 12% 39% 48% 1% 258 18% 54% 29% 0% 65 10% 28% 61% 1% 593 57 Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo Upper Svaneti – Total Deteriorated 3% Remained the same 53% Public transport Improved Don’t know N= Deteriorated 43% 1% 264 3% Remained the same 58% Communications Improved Don’t know N= Deteriorated 36% 2% 252 4% Remained the same 62% Financial services (banks, ATMs) Improved Don’t know N= Deteriorated Remained the same Local administration government / Improved Don’t know N= Deteriorated 30% 4% 251 3% 67% 26% 4% 266 2% Remained the same 62% Crime and police Improved Don’t know N= Deteriorated Remained the same (sport Improved Don’t know N= Recreation facilities) Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo Upper Svaneti – Total Deteriorated 10% 5% Remained the same 76% 86% Entertainment (cinema, theatre, club) facilities Improved Don’t know N= 11% 3% 171 6% 4% 183 3% 83% 12% 3% 40 8% 79% 10% 3% 394 Civic engagement and concerning problems to society Civil engagement in the process of solving
 various problems on regional level is quite small, as claimed by 85% of respondents in all regions they have not participated in any activity.
Number of people engaged in civil activism differ by separate regions: respondents in Imereti -89%, Racha-Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti - 81%, Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti – 64% declare that they have never participated in any activity.

Respectively, residents of Imereti region can be considered as the most passive, while residents of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti are the most active.
Residents of all three regions were the most actively engaged in the following three activities: participation in meetings dedicated to political or education issues (4%), participation in joint meeting of the settlement (4%), asking a question on public meeting (3%).
As noted above, residents of Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti are the most actively involved in various activities, among them, three most implemented activities include: participation in solving settlement / neighbourhood problem – 18%, participation in joint meeting of the settlement -10%, participation in meetings dedicated to political or education issues – 8% and asking a question on public meeting - 8%.
Judging from the part of residents (14%) in all three regions who carried out any type of activity, we can distinguish fields where women are more actively engaged than men and vice versa.

Based on general tendency, women are more active in carrying out various activities than men: applying to politician, local, regional or central government representative in person or in written form: women – 72%, men – 28%, participation in meeting dedicated to political or education topics: women – 82%, men – 18%.
Being a member of local organization or committee (in religion, social, education, culture or politics): women – 64%, men – 36%; participation in discussion of local municipality / government budget: women – 61%, men – 39%; asking a question on public meeting: women – 53%, men – 47%; supporting work of local or national organization by any activity (in religion, social, education, culture or politics field): women – 75%, men – 26%; signing a petition: women – 86%, men – 39%.
In all three regions the only activity in which men are more actively engaged than women is participation in solving settlement’s / neighbourhoods’ problem: women – 43%, men – 57%.

Situation is different on the level of separate regions: engagement of men in the majority of activities is higher than engagement of women in Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti with the only exception of applying to politician, local, regional or central government official in person or in written form.
Situation is different in Racha- Lechkhumi – Upper Svaneti region where women are more actively engaged in main activities 59 than men, the only exception applies to participation in municipality or municipal commission sessions.

Residents of Imereti region are less active in general, but in the activities, they are involved, women are more actively engaged than men.
Table 29 Participation in various activities Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo Upper Svaneti – Total in solving settlement’s/ Participation neighbourhood’s problem Applying to politician, local, regional or central government representative in person or in written form Participation in meeting dedicated to political or educational topics Leading local organization or being a member of committee (in the fields of religion, social, education, culture or politics) Participation in discussion of local municipality/ government budget Asking a question on public meeting Appealing against any organization, company Supporting work of local or national organization by any activity (in religion, social, education, culture or politics field) Signing a petition Participation in joint meeting of the settlement Participation committee sessions Hearing a report of municipal official / city hall or municipality representative on the work performed by them Have not participated in any activity Don’t know / refused to answer N= in municipality or municipal Table 30 Family member who was actively engaged in various activities Participation in solving settlement’s / neighbourhoods’ problem Applying to politician, local, regional or central government representative in person or in written form of Male members of family Female
 members family N= Male members of family Female members family N= of Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Total 100% 37% 0% 2 24% 63% 12 37% 76% 63% 4 11 55% 45% 11 0% 100% 2 57% 43% 25 28% 72% 17 60 Participation in meeting dedicated to political or educational topics Leading local organization or being a member of committee (in the fields of religion, social, education, culture or politics) Participation in discussion of municipality/ government budget Asking a question
 on public meeting local in discussion of Participation municipality/ government budget Asking a question on public meeting local Participation in discussion of municipality/ government budget local Supporting work of local or national organization by any activity (in religion, social, education, culture or politics field) Signing a petition Participation in joint meeting of the settlement Participation municipal committee sessions in municipality or of of of of Male members of family Female members family N= Male members of family Female members family N= Male members of family Female members family N= Male members of family Female members family N= Male members of family Female members family N= Male members of family Female members family N= Male members of family Female members family N= Male members of family Female members family N= Male members of family Female members family N= of of of of of Imereti – Racha Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti – Samegrelo Upper Svaneti Total Imereti – Racha Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti – Samegrelo Upper Svaneti Total Hearing a report of municipal official / city hall or municipality representative on the work performed by them Male
 members of family Female members family N= of 38% 63% 2 38% 63% 2 Residents of three regions were asked to name five most important problems for them.
Top five important problems named in all three regions are as follows: insufficient income – 89%, unemployment- 65%, healthcare – 60%, water supply – 38%, interest rate of loan – 37%.
As for separate regions, top five problems named by residents do not substantially differ from five problems named in all three regions in general, however, there are certain differences, namely: top five problems in Imereti region: insufficient income - 90%, unemployment- 68%, healthcare – 58%, water supply – 49%, interest rate on loan – 29%.

Racha – Lechkhumi – Lower Svaneti: insufficient income – 89%, healthcare – 65%, unemployment - 58%, roads – 41%, interest rate on loan – 33%.
Samegrelo Upper Svaneti: insufficient income – 89%, unemployment- 65%, healthcare -60%, water supply – 38%, interest rate – 37%.

Two most severe problems prevalent in regions in general are insufficient income and unemployment.

As for other problems, major part of respondents agree that they do not have to deal with these problems or there are only a few of them.
Table 31 List of important problems Insufficient income Unemployment Healthcare Water supply Interest rate on loan Dwelling (apartment/house) Sanitary norms Roads Recreation zones / sports facilities and parks Cleaning / waste disposal Public transport Electricity supply Childcare Crime Schools Culture Communications Unavailability of natural gas None Don’t know / refused to answer N= Imereti 90% 68% 58% 49% 41% 29% 20% 18% 16% 9% 5% 5% 5% 5% 4% 3% 2% 2% 25% 8% 275 Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti 89% 58% 65% 16% 33% 25% 15% 41% 10% 9% 18% 3% 2% 1% 4% 3% 2% 5% 38% 7% 260 Samegrelo Upper Svaneti 86% 66% 62% 13% 21% 21% 5% 35% 17% 2% 34% 3% 0% 0% 1% 12% 12% 10% 9% 35% 65 – Total 89% 65% 60% 38% 37% 28% 18% 25% 14% 9% 10% 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% 2% 3% 27% 9% 600 62 Widespread problems include alcohol abuse which was named by 4% of residents in total, prevalence of other problems does not exceed 2%, as believed by small portion of respondents, these problems rarely occur.
Table 32 Important problems widespread in society A significant widespread problem Only in specific groups A few instances There is no such problem N= A significant widespread problem Only in specific groups A few instances There is no such problem N= A significant widespread problem Only in specific groups A few instances There is no such problem N= A significant widespread problem Only in specific groups A few instances There is no such problem N= A significant widespread problem Only in specific groups A few instances There is no such problem N= A significant widespread problem Only in specific groups A few instances There is no such problem N= Only in specific groups A few instances There is no such problem N= A few instances There is no such problem Imereti Racha – Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti N= 275 260 / k r o W l a n o i t a p u A significant widespread problem s e i t i u q e n Only in specific groups A few instances There is no such problem N= i 1% 2% 2% 95% 275 0% 0% 3% 98% 260 Samegrelo Upper Svaneti 0% 0% 10% 90% 65 0% 6% 21% 72% 65 5% 29% 21% 45% 65 0% 0% 3% 97% 65 0% 0% 3% 97% 65
– Total 63