French Development Agency to launch a project in Samtskhe-Javakheti region to improve care and integration of persons with disabilities
Friday, November 15
Signing of the memorandum initiates a pilot project aiming to improve care for persons with disabilities in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. The project funded through a grant from the French Development Agency (AFD), and implemented by Expertise France, aims to develop a new methodology for disability assessment, which mainly takes into account the social environment of each individual. The primary objective of the project is to help improve life and socio-economic integration of persons with disabilities.
The preparatory meetings were held with the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, UNICEF and the key civil society actors in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. The mentioned exchanges among the Georgian and French partners helped fine-tune the project methodology regarding assessment of handicap problems, and adapt this methodology to the specific context of Samtskhe-Javakheti region. Based on the pilot project, experts will provide recommendations and analysis to enhance disability care at the national level.
The abovementioned pilot project is part of a larger cooperation between the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia. More precisely, the two year technical assistance program - “Social Welfare in Georgia” started since April 1st 2019, with the objective to develop: disability assessment, mental health care system, quality of primary care in hospitals, and support to the vulnerable internally displaced persons.
In total, the technical assistance program represents a 1 million euro grant funded by the French Development Agency (AFD). The implementing partner, Expertise France is in charge of all program activities by inviting the relevant experts in the field and coordinating their activities during the project cycle.
AFD is an inclusive public financial institution and the main actor in France’s development policy. AFD finances many sectors – energy, health, biodiversity, water, transport and urban development, digital technologies, training – and supports the transition to a safer, more equitable and more sustainable world. Through its network of 85 agencies, AFD operates in 115 countries. In 2018, it earmarked 11.4 bnˆ to finance these projects.
AFD’s commitment in Georgia was first materialized by the opening in 2016 of its South Caucasus Office in Tbilisi. Since then, AFD and the Government of Georgia have established a flourishing collaboration that has for the moment being led to an active portfolio of 250 Mˆ of engagements, in the sectors of energy, water and sanitation, agriculture and social welfare.
Expertise France is the French public international cooperation agency. It designs and implements projects which aim to contribute to the balanced development of partner countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the priorities of France’s external action.
The agency contributes to the development policy objectives of international solidarity and influence through its action in the field. By making the transfer of know-how central to its action, Expertise France promotes working methods, legal and technical standards, but also a French and European vision of economic development and governance.