Project proposal writing and fundraising were the key topics of the training organized with EU support on 8^th and 9^th of February. Trainings were conducted for Khulo LAG fundraising group members by invited expert and trainer Davit Ardzenadze.

The main objective of the training was to improve LAG members’ capacities and skills in project proposal writing, enable them to develop and implement the projects independently, attract additional finances and reach the objectives formulated by Local Development Strategy in a specific time frame.

15 members of Khulo LAG took part in the training sessions. The participants improved knowledge and skills in relevant topics, such as: NGOs role and fundraising (traditional and non-traditional methods of fundraising), the project and project management, study of status quo and stakeholders’ analysis, problem and strategic analysis, project budget and monitoring.

The training programme was developed according to the practical exercises. The participants could discuss various aspects of different projects. For training participants project exercise notebooks were distributed. They also wrote knowledge evaluation pre- and post-tests.

Recently Khulo LAG is actively involved in the project grant component project evaluation process. There are planned several trainings for LAG capacity building. LAG fundraising group soon will prepare activity plan and present with management board to approve.

The trainings were organized in the framework of the EU-funded project “Promotion of Rural Development and Diversification in Khulo Municipality” implemented by Caritas Czech Republic in Georgia (CCRG) under the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD).

The EU is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge.