The community forum was held within the program "Reducing the risk of climate-driven disasters in Georgia"

The 2023 summary community forum was organized by the EIEC of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia within the program "Reducing the Risk of Climate-Driven Disasters in Georgia.". The meeting was opened by Solomon Pavliashvili, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia; Nino Antadze, Head of the Environmental Protection and Energy Department of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP); and Khatuna Zaldastanishvili, Head of Environmental Programs of the Embassy of Sweden.

Participating in the community forum were representatives of 13 target municipalities (Gori, Telavi, Akhmeta, Sighnaghi, Lagodekhi, Samtredia, Abasha, Senaki, Khobi, Kobuleti, Chokhatauri, Ozurgeti, and Lanchkhuti), as well as councils and community and educational organizations.

"Within the project, modern early warning systems are introduced in 11 river basins in Georgia. The state's national capabilities are increasing in the field of analyzing information related to climate change and predicting and preventing disasters caused by natural hazards. An effective threat management system is also being introduced, and the corresponding infrastructure is being created. I would like to emphasize that the most important component for the success of the project is to raise the level of education and awareness in society, ''said Solomon Pavliashvili.

 The participants in the summary forum deliberated on various aspects of the program "Reducing the risk of climate-driven disasters in Georgia," including the steps taken to broaden the network of geological, hydrometeorological, and agrometeorological observations; completed and ongoing embankment works; hazard maps; the process of preparing community management plans; community management plans developed within the project; the current and completed coastal defense measures; and the youth initiatives of "Climate Ambassadors."

The winners of the contest were announced at the forum. The first place in the competition "Learn in a Safe Environment" was taken by the public school in Guturi village of Chokhatauri municipality, and the second place was taken by the public school in Iliatsminda village of Sighnaghi municipality. Community organization "Imedi" of Ozurgeti municipality and community organization "Women and Development" of Gori municipality became the winners of the contest "Create a Safe Community."

In the "Climate Friendly Garden" contest, N2 Kindergarten of Khobi Municipality won first place, and Ghaniri Village Kindergarten of Samtredia Municipality won second place.

The program "Reducing the risk of climate-driven disasters in Georgia" is funded by the Government of Georgia, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Government of Switzerland, and Sweden, and its implementation is ensured by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).