Project ERTAD (Empowerment, Resilience, Transformation and Development) represents a four year scheme to ameliorate the socio-economic conditions of the most vulnerable families in Georgia experiencing poverty. The project is a joint effort by the organizations World Vision Georgia, World Vision Germany, LEPL Social Service Agency and Danish Refugee Council in Georgia. Receiving financial support of up to 5 million Euros from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and reaching out towards 750 families across five regions of the country, Project ERTAD will strive to provide support in areas relating to social protection, livelihoods promotion, financial inclusion and social empowerment.

Over a three-year period, the poverty rate in Georgia has steadily declined from 21.3% to 15.6% in 2022. Moreover, the rate of unemployment has also witnessed a decrease from 20.6% in 2021 to 18.1% in 2022.

Project ERTAD’s Aims

Project ERTAD seeks to build upon this progress through the employment of 160 front-line civil servants tasked with executing the ultra-poor graduation model to assist the families exposed to the worst impacts of poverty in Georgia. By providing the most vulnerable families with support through an approach referred to as the Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG) approach, the poorest households will receive increased socio-economic inclusion, transferable technical skills, and access to social and financial markets to enhance their communities. The five regions where this project will be launched include Kakheti, Imereti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Adjara and Samegrelo. 

‘‘Our organization’s main priority is strengthening families and in this way helping children. We believe that through our international experience and methodology practiced globally, we will succeed and help families to overcome poverty,” confirmed Ekaterine Gurgenadze, Director of World Vision Georgia.

World Vision’s History

World Vision has a history stretching back more than 70 years. Founded in 1950 in Oregon, the organization originates from the generosity of its founder Bob Pearce who, after giving the last $5 in his pocket to an abandoned Chinese girl in 1947, sought to prioritize the needs of the helpless both nationwide and globally. Initially providing emergency services to the people of East Asia, the charity has since expanded to become the largest Christian non-government organization with operations in nearly 100 countries worldwide. 

With a strong emphasis upon the Christian faith, World Vision extends its support globally by providing emergency responses to victims of war and natural disasters. For example, the charity lent its support to the victims of the 2023 earthquake in Turkey and Syria and continues to provide support for those enduring the respective conflicts in Syria and Ukraine. 

World Vision Georgia

World Vision’s operations in Georgia primarily address issues pertaining to street poverty and internally displaced individuals including migrants, refugees, stateless individuals and asylum seekers within its borders. The organization estimates that there are 250,000 internally displaced people. This includes 30,000 international migrants. Despite the progress in addressing poverty nationwide, the charity estimates that there are 2,000 children in Georgia living on the streets in major cities such as Tbilisi.

By implementing schemes such as the Child Rights Code, 21,447 children have thus far received support from World Vision. Such commitment extends towards creating Child Protection Units to improve the Child Welfare and Protection System. This includes establishing day care centers and 24/7 shelters to provide these children with food, along with medical and emotional support on a daily basis. Moreover, 19,260 displaced individuals have benefitted from World Vision’s education, empowerment, integration and protection services. 

Looking Ahead

Project ERTAD will ultimately build upon the work achieved thus far by World Vision in Georgia. Launched this year and extending towards 2026, the project reflects the Georgian government’s poverty alleviation plan by incorporating the best approaches towards elevating the social service system in Georgia.

– Thomas Perry
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