This study analyzes the reasons behind citizens’ refusal to participate in public deliberation through the General Assembly of a Settlement mechanism in remote communities of Georgia. The report draws on the existing academic literature on both effective deliberation processes and reasons behind public disengagement in order to explain the indifference toward deliberation processes by populations in rural Georgia. By applying an analytical framework focusing on effective deliberation and the logic of non-participation, this research report uses a single case study (Mestia municipality) and qualitative research methods to show how superficial deliberation processes cause public disenchantment toward, and a lack of engagement in local decisionmaking processes and foster a public perception of civic participation mechanisms as ineffective.

The study examines organic agricultural products in the Tianeti municipality and Lower Pshavi area (Dusheti municipality) of Mtskheta-Mtianeti region in order to introduce more economic opportunities in these deprived rural areas of Georgia. 

This study was conducted by PMC Research in collaboration with Biological Farming Association ELKANA, as part of an Austrian Development Cooperation project.

The study examines the rural tourism value chain in the Tianeti municipality and Lower Pshavi area (Dusheti municipality) of Mtskheta-Mtianeti region in order to introduce more economic opportunities in these deprived rural areas of Georgia. 

This study was conducted by PMC Research in collaboration with Biological Farming Association ELKANA, as part of an Austrian Development Cooperation project.

PMC Research elaborated a report in order to prioritize community problems in Mestia municipality through the analysis of central and local government competences.

The study was conducted as part of the project “Support to the Development of Livelihoods in Disadvantaged Rural Regions of Georgia – Mestia/Samegrelo - Upper Svaneti Region,” which is funded by the European Union with co-funding from the Austrian Development Cooperation and is being implemented by Care Austria (CARE), in collaboration with PMC Research.

Local Development Strategy for Mestia Municipality 2020-2024, developed in 2019 by the Business, Public and Civil Sector of Zemo Svaneti with the assistance of PMC Research.

The strategy was elaborated as part of the project “Support to the Development of Livelihoods in Disadvantaged Rural Regions of Georgia – Mestia/Samegrelo - Upper Svaneti Region,” which is funded by the European Union with co-funding from the Austrian Development Cooperation and is being implemented by Care Austria (CARE), in collaboration with PMC Research.

The research report aims to identify functional regions in Kakheti, Georgia and analyze the most competitive subsectors in each of the regions.

The purpose of this study is to inform the reader with the key information on the competitiveness of Georgia’s agricultural sector. 

The research aims to study the current state of affairs in the rural economy and to identify steps towards its diversification by analyzing the vision, strategy and programs of the Government of Georgia, as well as regional and municipal authorities. We evaluated the development potential of linkages between farm and non-farm sectors and basic factors supporting the diversification of the rural economy.

This paper examines the status of SME finance in Georgia and the involvement of Georgian SMEs in global value chains. The role of SMEs in Georgia’s economy, SME funding, and the status of financial inclusion for SMEs are analyzed. Moreover, the level of financial literacy and skills of SME entrepreneurs is discussed. 

Furthermore, the paper analyzes the Georgian agricultural sector’s value chain and the involvement of this sector in global value chains by discussing the case study of the hazelnut. An analysis of the agricultural sector’s value chain financing in Georgia is carried out, its availability and development are discussed, and best practices of value chain financing are analyzed. 

Based on existing information, the paper identifies barriers to SME finance in Georgia and proposes policy recommendations and immediate actions with regard to existing government policies.

PMC Research, in cooperation with regional civil society organizations of the Kakheti region, conducted value chain analysis on blackberry with an emphasis on the export potential to the European Union market.