The Government of Georgia has approved the Strategy for Development of High Mountain Settlements

The Government of Georgia has approved the Strategy for Development of High Mountain Settlements

The Government of Georgia has approved the Strategy for Development of High Mountain Settlements of Georgia 2019-2023. The document is developed based on the analysis of socio-economic standing and existing potential of the high mountain settlements.  

The strategy has been developed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia with the support of UNDP, Governments of Switzerland and Austria, in close cooperation with all respective stakeholders. It aims to shape a strategic vision for equal and sustainable development of Georgia’s regions, improve the quality of life and ensure equal social and economic development of high mountain areas.

The strategy envisages three objectives: sustainable development of high mountain areas, social support to local communities and ensuring access to public services. It is expected that by 2023 the quality of life and demographic dynamics will be considerably improved through supporting basic infrastructure, social and public service delivery, tourism potential and economic activities.

The objectives of the strategy concern the development of tourism, support to agriculture and entrepreneurship, construction of road infrastructure, development of education, health and sports infrastructure, access to various services, support to youth, introduction of innovative systems of management and service delivery etc.

Specific measures are laid down in a two-year Action Plan which also identifies agencies responsible for each of the activities, respective implementation measures as well as the extent of such responsibility.

Some of these activities include but are not limited to the construction of facilities for emergency medical assistance, roads, schools, pre-schools, construction and rehabilitation of museums, solid waste disposal facility, rehabilitation of potable and irrigation water systems, preventive measures for mitigating impact of natural disasters, construction of tourist infrastructure, rehabilitation of cultural heritage monuments, electricity and gas networking and provision, improvement of the Internet coverage, and introduction of unified information management systems in the municipalities.

Estimated budget for the implementation of the two-year Action Plan totals 700 million GEL.

Pursuant to the Law on Development of High Mountain Regions, adopted by the Parliament exactly four years ago on 16 July 2015, 86 million GEL was allocated for the Fund for Development of High Mountain Settlement. The noted budget was spent on various infrastructural, agricultural and social projects.

Based on the criteria set forth in the law, as of now 1,731 settlements have high mountain settlement status with 245,287 citizens of Georgia having the status of residents of high mountain settlements.