The Pankisi Valley in Georgia’s Kakheti region is disconnected religiously, geographically, politically, and socially from the rest of Georgia, which makes the mostly Muslim Kist population feel excluded from the country’s mainstream. The USAID Community Links Activity in Georgia forges linkages among people of different age groups and religious affiliations within Pankisi, building social cohesion…
The $64.9 million MARKETS II project facilitated business partnerships between smallholder farmers and end-buyers in the processing segment of seven value chains. Complementing MARKETS II’s key strategy was its requirement that 50 percent of participants be women and 30 percent of participants be youth, along with its decision to reduce land-size requirements to increase inclusion and…
In Georgia, a new cookbook is causing a stir. More than just recipes, this cookbook is part of a larger effort to jumpstart the Georgian economy through tourism. Using a holistic approach to promote and develop culinary tourism, Georgia is attracting international visitors looking to experience a destination — rather than simply visit one.
The Moldova Competitiveness Project (MCP), funded by USAID and the Swedish Government, has been supporting Moldova’s tourism industry since 2013 stimulating economic growth in even the most rural regions, stimulating the emergence of tourism entrepreneurs, and contributing to a reduction in poverty and migration. The Hospitality + Moldova program provides investments in rural guesthouses for…
The USAID- and Sweden-funded Moldova Competitiveness Project (MCP), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, and other local organizations, created the Tree of Life agenda — a centralized calendar of cultural events. One component of those events is the IA Mania Festival — a unique festival celebrating the traditional Romanian embroidered blouse,…
The Moldova Competitiveness Project (MCP) invested in a multi-channel digital marketing campaign, #BeOurGuest, which focused on attracting visitors to Moldova’s rural areas. More visitors result in more jobs in hospitality, providing a valuable alternative to migration for the thousands of rural women who leave the country each year. The project created a campaign inviting youth…
A Moldovan man, who previously worked in Italy for a better livelihood, is now able to return home and achieve his dream of creating high-quality wine, with the help of his daughter and the Moldovan Competitiveness Project (MCP). Funded by USAID and the government of Sweden, the MCP launched the Association of Small Winemakers (ASW)…
Wine is not only a part of Moldova’s cultural heritage, it’s also a major component of its modern economy, generating revenue for over 200,000 people and representing five percent of all exports. When Moldova’s largest market, Russia, launched two trade embargoes, exports shrank three-fold and the industry fell into recession. Grape growers and bulk wine…
The Moldova Competitiveness Project (MCP), funded by USAID and Sweden, invests in targeted design, technology, and business-knowledge training for workers in the fashion industry. The project addresses education gaps and equips workers with creative and technical skills to increase the competitiveness of businesses. Through MCP, OldCom, a Moldovan shoe company, not only employs but improves…