Help for Georgia

Hilfswerk International strengthens agriculture and social work and helps people in Georgia with reintegration

Georgia is struggling with agricultural problems and inadequate agricultural structures, which make it difficult for Georgia's rural population to survive. In addition, there is a great need for resocialization initiatives and the improvement of social work. Hilfswerk International has been supporting people in agriculture, rehabilitation and social work since 2013.

Resocialization

In Georgia there is a great need for resocialization services because of the lack of political decisions. In the past, many people were imprisoned for minor offenses, depending on political power, and were released again in the wake of mass amnesty. As a detainee, it is difficult to find a job or a social connection in Georgia.

For a quick reintegration into the working world and society the detainees and persons on probation need assistance. Hilfswerk International provides contact points where detainees can acquire new skills or reactivate existing ones. In prison, they can neither learn craftsmanship nor pursue an activity:

We assist in setting up training and production facilities, offering short training courses in various trades (like locksmith, carpenter, IT specialist). We assist the people with their job search and reintegration into the social environment through psycho-social and legal advice. Volunteers, specially trained mentors also support them. Hilfswerk International accompanies detainees on their difficult way back into working life and into society in order to contribute to a harmonious coexistence in Georgia.

Agriculture

In the border area of Georgia and Armenia thousands of families live under the poverty line. In this forgotten area, with the potatoes in the field, the melons and the few milk that the drought cattle still gives, a livelihood without any additional income is scarcely possible. However, jobs are rare.

High unemployment is attributable to a weak infrastructure, poor irrigation and obsolete technologies. There is no money for investments – but also not enough knowledge about what investments make sense. Many, especially young people, migrate to the cities.

Our experienced local partners know exactly the situation in the villages. They know what steps are necessary to help the concerned families to regain their own destiny. In cooperatives, we help farmers to share their experiences, to learn new methods in agriculture, and to procure modern equipment for milk collection and cheese production. In this way, sufficient money is to be made in order to be able to buy goods of everyday needs, school books for the children or warm winter clothes without debts.

Hilfswerk International helps the female farmers through training courses in environmentally friendly, sustainable and efficient agriculture as well as in the establishment of milk and cheese cooperatives. We support measures to strengthen cooperation with local supermarkets, but also with local decision makers, authorities and companies.

Social Work

Modern social work is a rather new professional group in the countries where social problems were officially mostly concealed in Sovjet times. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the countries were confronted with numerous social and economic difficulties, which were reinforced by armed conflicts. Read more!

Social work developed in response to these problems and was initially supported by individual NGOs. In the field of social work there is still a lack of regulatory standards and sustainable funding structures in the countries of South Caucasus. Local social organizations and associations need professional support and training in order to be able to alleviate the numerous problems through targeted support.

Hilfswerk International supports social associations and local organizations through training and regional exchange during strategy work and organizational development. Through joint regional information campaigns and events, we contribute to raising public awareness. In order to strengthen social work, the promotion of smaller social projects by local associations and social service providers is also important.

By strengthening and developing professional social work, we promote better and more targeted support for people in need in South Caucasus.

Nicole Bauer

Regional Manager Western Balkans & South Caucasus