To do so, Sweden will concentrate its support to three sectors:
- Democracy, human rights and gender equality
- Environment
- Market development.
Democracy, human rights and gender equality
Sweden has three objectives for the sector of democracy, human rights and gender equality:
- Strengthened democratic structures and systems, with a focus on human rights and gender equality
In order to strengthen the democratic structures of the country, Sida provides support to a number of state institutions within areas such as enforcement, civil data, public financial management and public registry. Several Swedish state agencies (Kronofogden and Lantmäteriet for example) are involved as direct counterparts, which has been requested by the Georgian side. Sida provides broad support to civil society organisations through Eurasia Partnership Foundation and the Swedish Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation (KtK). Furthermore, a joint UN programme on gender equality has been launched in December 2011, aiming at supporting the Georgian government in implementing its national action plan on gender equality.
A number of projects are supported in the break-away region of Abkhazia. Activities are very much poverty focused and mainly targeting women and children in rural communities within the fields of health and education. Sida’s main partners in Abkhazia are UNICEF, Action Contre la Faim (ACF), Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Kvinna till Kvinna.
- Better conditions for free and fair elections
Improvements of voter’s lists and capacity building of electoral administration as well as political parties are of key importance for a developed electoral democracy in Georgia. Sida’s main partner within this field is National Democratic Institute (NDI).
- Better living conditions for the country’s internally displaced persons
Sida is supporting the Government in implementing the State Strategy and Action Plan on Internally Displaced Persons, focusing on integration of the displaced population into Georgian society. The support includes development of durable housing solutions, livelihood options, provision of legal aid and capacity building of the Ministry for Refugees and Accommodation. Sida’s main partners within the field – except for the Ministry – are DRC and ACF.
Environment
The environment sector has two objectives:
- Improved water supply and waste water and waste management systems in selected urban areas
During 2011 Sweden finalized assistance targeted improvement of water supply in the cities of Kutaisi and Poti through rehabilitation of water infrastructure, financed by investment loans from EBRD and complemented by grant co-financing from Sida.
- Strengthened capacity at relevant institutions at central and local level to regulate and plan water and waste management in an effective and sustainable manner
In the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and in the city of Rustavi projects are ongoing to support the Government with solid waste management including construction of new modern landfills and closure of old dumpsites, also financed by investments loans from EBRD and complemented by grant co-financing from Sida. Support is also given to a non-governmental organization aiming at a cleaner Georgia through society awareness campaigns.
A strategic analysis for environment has been initiated 2011 as a base for future cooperation in the sector in addition to on-going activities.
Market development
In the sector of market development the objectives are:
- For Georgia to sign a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with EU
Activities under objective 2 below, will contribute to objective 1. Georgia will start negotiation for a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement early 2012. Sida’s support to institution building in competition, food safety and statistics aims at facilitating the process.
- For Georgia to have the capacity to adapt to the EU’s trade-related regulatory framework in at least one area
Sida is financing three long-term projects through cooperation between Swedish and Georgian authorities; Swedish Competition Agency with Agency for Free Trade and Competition in Georgia, Swedish Board of Agriculture/National Food Administration with Georgia National Food Agency, and Statistics Sweden with National Statistics Office of Georgia (GeoStat).
The Swedish areas of cooperation correspond to priorities under the ENP Action Plan and are in line with current and planned support through the European Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument, ENPI.
