Theme
Women’s Economic Empowerment.
Description
Considering the socio-economic and severe demographic situation in Georgia, since 2005, the Kutaisi municipality has been implementing the program “Assistance to Large Families,” which provided material support to large families living in Kutaisi.
Between 2002 and 2018, the population of Kutaisi decreased from 182,400 to 141,000, corresponding to a 23% decline. According to international studies (UNICEF), high unemployment and poverty rates in the country result in children aged 0-16 living in partial extreme poverty. This situation increases the number of homeless, street-living, and juvenile delinquents. Children from large families are particularly at risk of falling into this group. Improving the economic situation of these families directly affects their children’s well-being, including health, education, and nutrition.
The main goal of the program over the years was to improve the demographic situation in Kutaisi. However, the criteria for selecting target groups, forms of assistance, and amounts changed periodically.
In 2018, the Kutaisi municipality conducted a regulatory impact assessment of the “Assistance to Large Families” program, after which the program’s goal was redefined with a new formulation: supporting large families in terms of their psycho-social and economic empowerment.
In 2019, to strengthen the economic situation of large families, a new initiative appeared in the budget, which provided co-financing for starting micro and small businesses or expanding existing activities.
The gender dimension was taken into account in the development of this initiative. The involvement of mothers from large families in the project contributed to their independence and raised their authority in the family. Additionally, the initiative aimed to strengthen parents’ self-confidence, increase motivation, and develop new skills in small business management.
Through training, participants acquired skills in writing business plans and managing small businesses.
Within the project, 7 winners were selected through competition, including 6 mothers from large families. Special attention was paid to ensuring that the winning business plans were funded through the purchase of equipment, rather than direct cash transfers, which would contribute more effectively to achieving the project’s goals.
Implementing Organization
Kutaisi Municipality
Challenge
The country’s social situation, severe demographic data, and increased migration rates create a need for providing various services to large families.
Factors at the municipal and state levels have a certain impact on the implementation of the “Support for Small Businesses of Large Families” program.
One important factor is the state’s involvement in the process of empowering large families. In 2019, the status of a parent with many children was defined for the first time, although this step was not followed by the implementation of social projects.
Solution
Through the program, the economic empowerment of participating families was achieved;
Business expansion and increased diversity of services;
Increase in the number of employees, which was expressed not only by the involvement of parents from large families but also by the inclusion of their adult children in the business.
Assistance to large families is provided not as a one-time measure, but with a long-term perspective in mind.
To successfully implement social work and prepare appropriate personnel, employees are involved in special training sessions.
Contact Information
Deputy Mayor of Kutaisi Municipality – Nino Tvaltvadze, email – nino.tvaltvadze@kutaisi.gov.ge
Head of the Social Affairs Department of Kutaisi Municipality City Hall – Ioseb Chijavadze, email: socialuri.kutaisi@kutaisi.gov.ge
Head of the Imereti Regional Service of the Social Service Agency – Nino Chighladze, email: nchighladze@ssa.gov.ge