Currently, the potential of the economic value of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) largely goes unnoticed in official statistics and research publications despite NTFPs being important natural resources that support sustainable bioeconomy value chains, green jobs, alleviation of poverty, and economic and social development. The purpose of the assessment is to overview the existing literature on NTFPs, select the priority NTFPs and provide additional insights regarding the NTFP value chain in Georgia, with an additional focus on target regions.

Despite the data limitations, the analysis shows the increasing global demand for NTFPs and the potential for the development of NTFP sectors in Georgia. On the other hand, the NTFP value chain in target regions (Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Guria, and Kakheti) has further potential for development considering the abundance of selected organic wild NTFP products on their territories. However, issues like the lack of labor force, lack of knowledge on sustainable harvesting and product diversification, and the number and capacity of the processing enterprises create hindrances to the development of the value chain and higher inclusion of local vulnerable groups with an aim to improve the general socio-economic situation in rural areas.

This document has been prepared by PMC Research within the framework of the project “Enabling the Implementation of Georgia's Forest Sector Reform - ECO.Georgia”, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) and the Government of Georgia (GoG) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA), through its subordinated agencies and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia (MoESD).

PMC Research conducted a diagnostic study of fruit and vegetable processing cluster and hazelnut processing in Guria region of Georgia, and developed a cluster map, and elaborated short-term objectives as well as a long-term vision for the development of this cluster. 

The study is part of the “EU Innovative Action for Private Sector Competitiveness in Georgia (EU IPSC)” program, which is a joint initiative of the European Union and the following four UN agencies: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 

PMC Research conducted a poultry cluster diagnostic study in Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia, and developed a cluster map, and elaborated short-term objectives as well as a long-term vision for the development of this cluster. 

The study is part of the “EU Innovative Action for Private Sector Competitiveness in Georgia (EU IPSC)” program, which is a joint initiative of the European Union and the following four UN agencies: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 

PMC Research described both the history and the current reality for the marine fishing cluster in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia, analyzed business operations within it, developed a cluster map, and elaborated short-term objectives as well as a long-term vision for the development of this cluster. 

The study is part of the “EU Innovative Action for Private Sector Competitiveness in Georgia (EU IPSC)” program, which is a joint initiative of the European Union and the following four UN agencies: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 

PMC Research described both the history and the current reality for the hazelnut processing cluster in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia, analyzed business operations within it, developed a cluster map, and elaborated short-term objectives as well as a long-term vision for the development of this cluster. 

The study is part of the “EU Innovative Action for Private Sector Competitiveness in Georgia (EU IPSC)” program, which is a joint initiative of the European Union and the following four UN agencies: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 

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.