Zrda Quarterly Report No. 10: Q3, FY 2018

The program is implemented by Chemonics International Inc. and focuses on four main sub-purposes: improving MSME development and growth, increasing productivity of rural households, facilitating market linkages between producers and buyers, and promoting local economic development by establishing networks. One of the key achievements of the program is the creation of new jobs, with 561 new positions generated as of the end of Q3, FY 2018. The program has also trained 391 individuals across all sectors, reaching a cumulative total of 2,747 individuals since the beginning of the project. In addition, the program has leveraged $1.9 million, exceeding 52% of the target for this indicator. The program has also made significant progress in the tourism sector, with several notable accomplishments in product development and marketing, training and capacity building, and regional coordination, promotion, and destination management. In product development, the program hosted an international expert who provided training to 33 tour operators on tour package diversification, new product creation, and brand positioning towards international markets. A large tourism new product development grant facility was also launched, with 18 successful MSME projects selected for financing. In training and capacity building, the program sub-awardee, NGO Creative Development Center, continued delivery of the four-module digital marketing program to 200 new guesthouses across all of Zrda's target regions. The program also published the Digital Marketing Manual, which will supplement the CDC training and provide the Georgian National Tourism Administration with training materials for wider distribution. Regional coordination, promotion, and destination management have also seen significant progress, with the program making efforts to finalize the legal structure for Destination Management Organizations. The program has also supported the Georgian Heritage Crafts Association to train 50 artisans from Zrda target regions on handicraft production technology in woodwork, carpet weaving, embroidery, knitting, and quilting. The program has also made progress in reaching its beneficiaries, with 45% of Zrda beneficiaries being women and 30% being youth. The program has reached a total of 37,460 beneficiaries as of Q3, FY 2018. Overall, the Zrda Activity in Georgia has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, with notable achievements in job creation, training, leverage, and tourism development. The program continues to work towards its goals, with a focus on promoting economic growth and development in the country.