EU, UNDP support business ‘bootcamps’ for youth aimed at innovative rural development

Youth bootcamps are implemented under a broader programme of the European Union and UNDP, ENPARD-3. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

Agenda.ge, 18 Dec 2020 - 16:50, Tbilisi,Georgia

The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have completed the fourth round of business bootcamps aimed at helping aspiring young entrepreneurs create and expand rural businesses.

The event was held online on December 12-13. More than 60 young people applied to participate in the bootcamps, ​​but after selecting business ideas, 22 participants joined the startup training camp.

Youth bootcamps are implemented under a broader programme of the European Union and UNDP, ENPARD-3.

The first three bootcamps, held in November and December 2019 and October 2020, brought together some 110 young business entrepreneurs.

Masterclasses, training, business modeling and prototyping exercises were held during the boot camp. Participants in this intensive program went through all the stages of business planning from the idea of creation to implementation. In addition, through interactive exercises, they also learned about aspects of entrepreneurship such as exploring potential customers, evaluating local markets, developing marketing and media strategies, and identifying resources and partners.

At the end of each bootcamp, the best business ideas were selected for future support. 24 winner entrepreneurs have so far started work on new businesses with the potential to create 90 jobs in tourism, manufacturing and other sectors.

Youth are key drivers of the economic and social transformation of rural areas in Georgia. By empowering and proactively engaging young entrepreneurs we hope to enable them to unleash their innovative capabilities and realize their business ideas,” said Carl Hartzell, EU Ambassador to Georgia.

Youth entrepreneurship holds the promise of new jobs and new livelihoods for Georgia’s rural regions, and can give energetic young people a rewarding local alternative to leaving home…Moreover, as Georgia looks ahead beyond the pandemic shock, fresh and innovative business ideas can help drive a robust recovery,” said UNDP Head Louisa Vinton.

The EU and the UNDP are Georgia’s long-term supporters in promoting rural development. €179.5 million in EU assistance has been allocated to Georgia under the ENPARD programme between 2013 and 2022. This support aims to promote rural development policies and create economic opportunities for the rural population outside of agriculture.