The new forest code's envisaged modifications were explained to representatives of self-governments, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, and the private sector in the Kakheti and Mtskheta-Mtianeti areas

Organised by the EIEC of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, information meetings were held in the Kakheti and Mtskheta-Mtianeti regions in order to introduce and discuss the changes provided for by the new forest code. Meetings were held with representatives of local governments, community and non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, and the private sector.

The informational sessions' objectives are to introduce the potential social advantages of the sustainable forest management process and to inform about the necessity of participation of stakeholders in it.

The information meetings were opened by the deputy director of the EIEC, Ekaterine Bendeliani.

The participants learned about the Forest Code of Georgia, its challenges, and the possibility of applying the principles of sustainable forest management in the region.The participants learned about the Forest Code of Georgia, its challenges, and the possibility of applying the principles of sustainable forest management in the region. They received information about energy efficiency, alternative fuels, and improving state control over forests.

The meetings took place as part of the "ECO.Georgia" project, which supports Georgia's efforts to reform its forest industry. The goal of the project is to reduce pressure on forests and forest loss in Georgia through sustainable forest management and conservation. At the same time, the project aims to promote the development of the market for energy-efficient and alternative fuels and to strengthen the capabilities of communities and local governments located near the forest. The ECO Georgia project is co-financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Government of Georgia, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The project is implemented by the Ministry of Environmental and Agriculture of Georgia and its agencies, as well as the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).