Last week, the EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell travelled to Borjomi and Bakuriani to explore the results of the EU’s support to rural development in Borjomi municipality. During the trip, the Ambassador met with Borjomi Local Action Group (LAG) members and visited a rural development initiative in Bakuriani.

The Borjomi LAG is one of eight LAGs established with EU support across different regions in Georgia with the aim of encouraging diversified local economic growth based on the best European practices.

It represents a platform for partnership between local private sectors, civil society and public sector representatives, who contribute to the municipality’s social and economic development and support the participation of the local population.

“I am glad to see the enthusiasm and dedication of the members of Borjomi LAG, who serve diligently for the better future of the municipality,” said Ambassador Hartzell. “I really believe in these kinds of projects. They bring out talent and entrepreneurship from those best suited to assess the needs and opportunities of their local communities.” 

After the meeting, Ambassador Hartzell visited one of the municipality’s EU-funded rural development initiatives: a ski rental shop in Bakuriani.

On 9 November 2018, newly selected Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) will meet H.E. Carl Hartzell, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, at an official meeting in Tbilisi.

68 young Georgians were selected to take part in the third round of the YEAs initiative. During the meeting with the Head of the EU Delegation Carl Hartzell, Young European Ambassadors will present their previous activities, discuss the ways of empowering youth and initiate plans of future activities. Young European Ambassadors, who have actively participated in various events in Georgia and abroad, will share their volunteering experience and to receive certificates in recognition of their active role.

Within the week of 12 -16 November newly selected Young European Ambassadors from Georgia will visit “Young Farmers Centers” in Tetritskaro Municipality. They will make presentations in order to raise awareness about the European Union, shared values, inform about the EU funded youth initiatives and opportunities for Georgian youth in the field of education and mobility as well as brainstorm on the next activities.

The ‘Young European Ambassadors’ initiative aims to foster cooperation and sustainable links between young people and youth organisations from the European Union (EU) and its Eastern Partner countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. The initiative facilitates the mutual exchange of ideas and information on the EU, as well as the engagement of young people in informative activities. It is focused on people-to-people contacts and dialogue-driven activities that contribute to an enhanced understanding and perception of the EU and a greater appreciation of its relationships with the Eastern Neighbourhood.

More information:

Young European Ambassadors Initiative

‘Young European Neighbours’ Network group on Facebook

Young European Ambassadors in photos and videos

Official Facebook Page of the European Union Delegation to Georgia

Earlier in September, Carl Hartzell was appointed as Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia.

As the EU's top diplomat in the country, Ambassador Hartzell oversees the bilateral relationship between the EU and Georgia, and the work of the Delegation including political and economic affairs, as well as cooperation.

He represents the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission and works under the direct authority of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in implementing the EU’s foreign policy.