RESEARCH FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN GEORGIA AND ARMENIA WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE JOIN PROJECT.(2012)

TBSC Consulting was recruited to conduct the baseline research of the socio-economic conditions of the target municipalities in the selected regions for the JOIN Project. JOIN is a three-year project, which is designed to promote an enabling environment for pro-poor socioeconomic development through participatory planning, improved cooperation and exchange of market relevant information among local governments, civil society organizations and the private sector. This particular project was a cross-border one, including several regions of Georgia as well as Armenia. As a first step within the scope of the baseline research, TBSC reviewed the available documents on the socio-economic conditions in the target municipalities. Based on the initial analysis, we developed testable hypotheses regarding the situation in these municipalities. The main issues addressed by the hypotheses fall into the planning process, the information dissemination process, economic sectors for employment. To test the hypotheses, TBSC developed the interview guide and organized face-to-face meetings with the representatives of local governments, CSOs, the private sector and the local population in the target municipalities. As a result of the interviews with the local actors, we received in-depth information on the socio-economic conditions in the target municipalities. This information allowed us to confirm or disconfirm our hypotheses and develop relevant observations for each of the municipalities. The final report prepared by TBSC presented thorough analysis of the socio-economic situation in the target areas, which included the description of problems, positive trends and opportunities for improvement. TBSC also provided recommendations on how the JOIN Project can make interventions in the regions to improve the socio-economic conditions of the population in the target municipalities.

Nino Kipshidze
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