Georgian Hazelnut Improvement Project (G-HIP) Quarterly Progress Report

As part of a long-term sustainability strategy, G-HIP focuses on enhancing the institutional capacity of the Georgian Hazelnut Growers Association (GHGA) through the provision of management, finance, and human resources training to association staff. G-HIP places a high priority in assisting GHGA to improve its governance, build its financial competency, optimize and maintain its operations, establish a performance management system, improve branding and outreach, grow its membership, and introduce new services for the sector. G-HIP has achieved several key milestones and accomplishments through efforts to confront and address the structure and process-oriented challenges existing in the hazelnut sector. Key accomplishments during this reporting period include the support to GHGA for the Lead farmer Training Program and other ongoing activities of the association, the progress towards the establishment of a hazelnut traceability system in Georgia, the selection of international consultants for the introduction of alternate ways of financing of the sectoral associations, and the efforts towards ensuring financial capacity development of GHGA through conducting an audit of GHGA and its subsidiaries. Throughout the quarter, G-HIP worked closely with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA), the National Food Agency (NFA), and the Rural Development Agency (RDA) to strengthen the hazelnut value chain through GHGA and the Hazelnut Exporters and Processors Association (HEPA) and to explore the possibilities for the establishment of new Husking, Drying, and Storage (HDS) facilities in Guria region with RDA assistance. G-HIP also supported efforts to find alternate ways of financing for the sectoral associations and provided strategic support to GHGA to implement the student-training Program. G-HIP has made significant progress in implementing its activities, including the submission of the quarterly progress report to USAID and AgriGeorgia/Ferrero, the preparation and submission of amendments to the PY6 WP and Grants Manual, and the selection of a firm to conduct GHGA's audit. Additionally, G-HIP awarded a sub-contract to GHGA for Lead Farmers Trainings and support to ongoing activities of GHGA, and supported efforts to establish a hazelnut traceability system in Georgia. The G-HIP team has adapted to the COVID-19 restrictions and limitations by offering distanced meetings and trainings, conducting calls and online meetings, and using video or online platforms to raise awareness or create learning content. The relaxing of restrictions has allowed G-HIP to resume the Future Leaders in Hazelnuts training program conducted in conjunction with AgriGeorgia/Ferrero.