The purpose of the Local Economic Development Project (LEDP) is to improve economic opportunities for people living in rural Georgia. It aims to achieve this through facilitating joint decision-making between key actor groups at municipal and regional levels (public sector, private sector, and civil society) to identify economic drivers and implement local economic development initiatives.
Direct stakeholders of the project are local governments, business associations, enterprises, and civil society organizations. The end target groups of the project are women and men in the selected localities, benefiting from improved economic conditions, increased income, and better job opportunities.
The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by the HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation and WINS Global Consult consortium.
Our Approach
The project adopts a Market Systems Development (MSD) perspective, focusing on a systemic and facilitative approach. The project supports the decision-making process and strengthens cooperation between local and central levels.
Main Interventions
- Identification and development of high-potential economic sectors in selected regions, applying a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach.
- Strengthening local and inter-municipal cooperation to support the joint planning and implementation of economic initiatives.
- Supporting sector development (wine, tea, eco-tourism), including producer consolidation, establishment of shared services, and improved market access.
- Enhancing the capacities of local entrepreneurs through the introduction of innovative business models and improved access to finance.
- Promoting public-private collaboration by fostering effective dialogue and establishing sustainable partnership mechanisms.
- Strengthening municipal economic functions and improving institutional models for more effective local economic development (LED) governance.
