Building Resilience: Early Warning Systems for Climate-Induced Hazards in Georgia

10.10.2024 — Article Georgia
An Early Warning System is crucial for any country, especially a mountainous one. With broad experience and an effective early warning system, Switzerland supports Georgia in establishing a fully functional system and resilient communities by developing policies for hazard zoning, preparing multi-hazard maps, and increasing the capacity of relevant institutions and staff.

Cultivating Success: Switzerland's Support for Vocational Education in Georgia's Agricultural Sector

02.07.2024 — Article Georgia
Georgia boasts centuries-old agricultural traditions, but it is currently experiencing a shortage of modern approaches, technology, and a young workforce. The active participation of educated youth is important to infuse innovation and new skills into agricultural practices. Moreover, engaging young people in agricultural activities is crucial for retaining them in rural areas. Switzerland has been supporting modernization of vocational education and training in agriculture since 2013, recognizing it as a key element for sustainable development in the Georgia’s regions. In 2023, seven graduates finished the Swiss Agricultural School Caucasus equipped with knowledge and skills to be successful in their future endeavours.

Cultivating Success: Switzerland's Support for Vocational Education in Georgia's Agricultural Sector

03.04.2024 — Article Georgia
Georgia boasts centuries-old agricultural traditions, but it is currently experiencing a shortage of modern approaches, technology, and a young workforce. The active participation of educated youth is important to infuse innovation and new skills into agricultural practices. Moreover, engaging young people in agricultural activities is crucial for retaining them in rural areas. Switzerland has been supporting modernization of vocational education and training in agriculture since 2013, recognizing it as a key element for sustainable development in the Georgia’s regions. In 2023, 7 graduates finished the Swiss Agriculture School Caucasus equipped with knowledge and skills to be successful in their future endeavours.

Education through documentaries

18.01.2024 — Article Georgia
Documentary films are a powerful medium to address important issues, to persuade, educate, and challenge preconceptions. They are a unique tool that provides glimpses of real life and gives audiences new perspectives on familiar topics. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has been financing the CineDOC-Tbilisi, an international documentary film festival organized by the Noosfera Foundation.  The aim is  to raise awareness about social issues, stimulate dialogue, and encourage youth to actively engage in shaping the future of their communities.

How Switzerland helps Georgian farmers increase exports of organic hazelnuts

17.08.2023 — Article Georgia
From fish to meat and vegetable dishes, to bakery and confectionary, nuts, including hazelnuts, are a staple ingredient in Georgian national cuisine. Moreover, hazelnuts are one of the most important agricultural products, which allow Georgia to be among the world’s biggest exporters. With a steady demand for organic food in premium markets, the industry in Georgia has a potential for growth and larger export, generating more income for small-holder farmers and contributing to the sustainable economic development of the country. To this end, the SDC launched a private sector engagement partnership with the Swiss firm Pakka AG to enable Georgian farmers to increase productivity and income from organic hazelnut production and export.

Youth for Climate Change

25.07.2023 — Article Georgia
Climate change is a global challenge that has a detrimental impact on all, the poorest and most vulnerable in particular. No fighting against poverty is possible without climate action. No climate action is successful without everybody’s involvement, including youth. In 2022, the Climate Change Adaptation project supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) launched a youth-led climate action to inspire young people to take action on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Ignazio Cassis receives Georgian foreign minister Ilia Darchiashvili in Bern

19.06.2023 — Press releases EDA
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, received the Georgian minister of foreign affairs, Ilia Darchiashvili, on an official visit to Bern on Monday 19 June 2023. Talks focused on the further development of bilateral relations, the situation in the South Caucasus and multilateral cooperation. Of note in Georgian–Swiss relations are the growth in trade between the two nations, as well as Switzerland's good offices and its long-standing involvement in the region.

Swiss Delegation visits the South Caucasus region

21.04.2023 — Local news Georgia
On 17-22 April 2023, the Advisory Commission for Swiss International Cooperation accompanied by the SDC Director General, Patricia Danzi paid a working visit to the three countries in the South Caucasus region.

Women from the South Caucasus – pillars of the society

08.03.2023 — Article Georgia
The diverse role women play in civil society and economic growth is colossal. Acting as farmers, entrepreneurs, workers, or artists, they contribute to vibrant rural and urban communities and viable businesses. Veronika Bakhchoyan is one of the young entrepreneurs who dream big in a small town in southern Georgia.

"Leave No One Behind" – in focus of Swiss engagement (Part 4, Georgia)

09.02.2023 — Article Georgia
Georgia is, to this day, an ethnically diverse country with Armenian and Azerbaijani populations concentrated in the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions. Despite various government and donor-funded initiatives focused on ethnic minorities, they continue to face challenges in creating businesses and accessing financial services. These are related to language, educational levels, and access to information, assets and collateral. In 2021, Switzerland launched the Rural SMEs Development Project which aims to boost job opportunities in rural areas with a specific focus towards ‘leave no one behind’ (LNOB) groups. The article below is the fourth in a series of articles focused on Switzerland’s commitment to ending exclusion and reducing the inequalities that leave people behind.

"Leave No One Behind" – in focus of Swiss engagement (Part 3, Georgia)

15.12.2022 — Article Georgia
The article below is the third in the series of articles focused on Switzerland’s commitment to fight multifaceted poverty, end exclusion, and reduce the inequalities that leave people behind. This story is a look at how vocational education opened a window of opportunity to a young single mother with a disability.

Switzerland and Austria celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Georgia

22.06.2022 — Local news Georgia
On the occasion of the 30^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Switzerland and Georgia, as well as Austria and Georgia, Ambassador of Switzerland to Georgia, H. E. Heidi Grau and Ambassador of Austria to Georgia, H. E. Thomas Muehlmann, the Regional Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the South Caucasus, Danielle Meuwly and the Head of the Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation of the Austrian Embassy, Alexander Karner visited the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Ajara regions and met with some beneficiaries of the Alliances Caucasus Programme (ALCP).

Ignazio Cassis receives Georgian foreign minister Ilia Darchiashvili in Bern

19.06.2023 — Press releases EDA
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, received the Georgian minister of foreign affairs, Ilia Darchiashvili, on an official visit to Bern on Monday 19 June 2023. Talks focused on the further development of bilateral relations, the situation in the South Caucasus and multilateral cooperation. Of note in Georgian–Swiss relations are the growth in trade between the two nations, as well as Switzerland's good offices and its long-standing involvement in the region.

Switzerland launches Cooperation Programme for the South Caucasus 2022-2025

20.05.2022 — Press releases Georgia
On 19 May 2022, H.E. Heidi Grau, Ambassador of Switzerland to Georgia, and Danielle Meuwly, Regional Director of Cooperation, presented a new Swiss Cooperation Programme for the South Caucasus 2022-2025. The Programme is a flagship document which defines the key priority areas of Swiss engagement for the period of 2022-2025. The event brought together the representatives of the Government, international and national partners and implementing agencies.

Call for proposals

16.06.2021 — Press releases Georgia
The Swiss Cooperation Office (SCO) for the South Caucasus is calling for proposals by civil society organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and foundations registered in Georgia to strengthen the civil society and widen the civic space in the priority areas of migration and media.

Important information: Entry regulation to Switzerland as of 08.02.2021

01.02.2021 — Press releases Georgia

Coronavirus: Mandatory quarantine for persons arriving in Switzerland

07.12.2020 — Press releases Georgia

Tender Announcement: Rural SMEs Development Project in Georgia

28.07.2020 — Press releases Georgia

Switzerland and Austria extend support to the National Animal Identification and Traceability System in Georgia

16.06.2020 — Press releases Georgia

The representatives of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) signed an agreement on the extension of support to the Government of Georgia to kick off a nation-wide Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS). The extension will allow to smoothly resume and complete the activities that were hampered amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Swiss travellers abroad should register on the "Travel Admin App”

19.03.2020 — Press releases Georgia
Bern, 19.03.2020 - Earlier this week, the Federal Council called on Swiss travellers to return home quickly. In order to better support those who are still blocked abroad, they should register on the "Travel Admin App" of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.

Inauguration of the new Embassy in Tbilisi

28.10.2019 — Press releases Georgia
The Swiss delegation headed by the President of the Swiss Parliament, Mrs. Marina Carobbio Guscetti, visits Georgia to inaugurate the new Embassy of Switzerland in Tbilisi and to hold official meetings with Georgian dignitaries.

A New Unified Municipal Online Platform to Simplify Access to Services

30.09.2019 — Press releases Georgia
The new Unified Municipal Online Platform will transition over 15 different municipal services into the virtual space giving immediate access to citizens in 63 municipalities of Georgia.

Switzerland and Georgia strengthen cooperation in the field of migration

17.09.2019 — Press releases Georgia
Switzerland and Georgia are strengthening their respective efforts to tackle irregular migration. State Secretary Mario Gattiker and Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs  Vakhtang Gomelauri signed a joint declaration in Tbilisi on 16 September. Since 2018 Georgia is 5^th on the list of countries of origin for asylum applications in Switzerland. However, Georgian nationals have almost no chance of being granted asylum in Switzerland. To resolve the challenge related to unfounded asylum applications, Switzerland and Georgia have implemented different measures and are closely collaborating in the field of migration.

Switzerland Steps Up Cooperation on Climate Change Adaptation

20.02.2019 — Press releases Georgia
On February 19^th, Switzerland, acting through the SDC, Green Climate Fund (GCF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced a new joint programme to boost climate action. A seven-year, USD 70 million programme aims to protect over 1.7 million people, i.e. 40% of local population, from floods, droughts and other hazards by ensuring adequate response to climatic change.

Building Resilience: Early Warning Systems for Climate-Induced Hazards in Georgia

10.10.2024 — Article Georgia
An Early Warning System is crucial for any country, especially a mountainous one. With broad experience and an effective early warning system, Switzerland supports Georgia in establishing a fully functional system and resilient communities by developing policies for hazard zoning, preparing multi-hazard maps, and increasing the capacity of relevant institutions and staff.

Cultivating Success: Switzerland's Support for Vocational Education in Georgia's Agricultural Sector

02.07.2024 — Article Georgia
Georgia boasts centuries-old agricultural traditions, but it is currently experiencing a shortage of modern approaches, technology, and a young workforce. The active participation of educated youth is important to infuse innovation and new skills into agricultural practices. Moreover, engaging young people in agricultural activities is crucial for retaining them in rural areas. Switzerland has been supporting modernization of vocational education and training in agriculture since 2013, recognizing it as a key element for sustainable development in the Georgia’s regions. In 2023, seven graduates finished the Swiss Agricultural School Caucasus equipped with knowledge and skills to be successful in their future endeavours.

Cultivating Success: Switzerland's Support for Vocational Education in Georgia's Agricultural Sector

03.04.2024 — Article Georgia
Georgia boasts centuries-old agricultural traditions, but it is currently experiencing a shortage of modern approaches, technology, and a young workforce. The active participation of educated youth is important to infuse innovation and new skills into agricultural practices. Moreover, engaging young people in agricultural activities is crucial for retaining them in rural areas. Switzerland has been supporting modernization of vocational education and training in agriculture since 2013, recognizing it as a key element for sustainable development in the Georgia’s regions. In 2023, 7 graduates finished the Swiss Agriculture School Caucasus equipped with knowledge and skills to be successful in their future endeavours.

Education through documentaries

18.01.2024 — Article Georgia
Documentary films are a powerful medium to address important issues, to persuade, educate, and challenge preconceptions. They are a unique tool that provides glimpses of real life and gives audiences new perspectives on familiar topics. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has been financing the CineDOC-Tbilisi, an international documentary film festival organized by the Noosfera Foundation.  The aim is  to raise awareness about social issues, stimulate dialogue, and encourage youth to actively engage in shaping the future of their communities.

How Switzerland helps Georgian farmers increase exports of organic hazelnuts

17.08.2023 — Article Georgia
From fish to meat and vegetable dishes, to bakery and confectionary, nuts, including hazelnuts, are a staple ingredient in Georgian national cuisine. Moreover, hazelnuts are one of the most important agricultural products, which allow Georgia to be among the world’s biggest exporters. With a steady demand for organic food in premium markets, the industry in Georgia has a potential for growth and larger export, generating more income for small-holder farmers and contributing to the sustainable economic development of the country. To this end, the SDC launched a private sector engagement partnership with the Swiss firm Pakka AG to enable Georgian farmers to increase productivity and income from organic hazelnut production and export.

Youth for Climate Change

25.07.2023 — Article Georgia
Climate change is a global challenge that has a detrimental impact on all, the poorest and most vulnerable in particular. No fighting against poverty is possible without climate action. No climate action is successful without everybody’s involvement, including youth. In 2022, the Climate Change Adaptation project supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) launched a youth-led climate action to inspire young people to take action on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Swiss Delegation visits the South Caucasus region

21.04.2023 — Local news Georgia
On 17-22 April 2023, the Advisory Commission for Swiss International Cooperation accompanied by the SDC Director General, Patricia Danzi paid a working visit to the three countries in the South Caucasus region.

Women from the South Caucasus – pillars of the society

08.03.2023 — Article Georgia
The diverse role women play in civil society and economic growth is colossal. Acting as farmers, entrepreneurs, workers, or artists, they contribute to vibrant rural and urban communities and viable businesses. Veronika Bakhchoyan is one of the young entrepreneurs who dream big in a small town in southern Georgia.

"Leave No One Behind" – in focus of Swiss engagement (Part 4, Georgia)

09.02.2023 — Article Georgia
Georgia is, to this day, an ethnically diverse country with Armenian and Azerbaijani populations concentrated in the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions. Despite various government and donor-funded initiatives focused on ethnic minorities, they continue to face challenges in creating businesses and accessing financial services. These are related to language, educational levels, and access to information, assets and collateral. In 2021, Switzerland launched the Rural SMEs Development Project which aims to boost job opportunities in rural areas with a specific focus towards ‘leave no one behind’ (LNOB) groups. The article below is the fourth in a series of articles focused on Switzerland’s commitment to ending exclusion and reducing the inequalities that leave people behind.

"Leave No One Behind" – in focus of Swiss engagement (Part 3, Georgia)

15.12.2022 — Article Georgia
The article below is the third in the series of articles focused on Switzerland’s commitment to fight multifaceted poverty, end exclusion, and reduce the inequalities that leave people behind. This story is a look at how vocational education opened a window of opportunity to a young single mother with a disability.

Switzerland and Austria celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Georgia

22.06.2022 — Local news Georgia
On the occasion of the 30^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Switzerland and Georgia, as well as Austria and Georgia, Ambassador of Switzerland to Georgia, H. E. Heidi Grau and Ambassador of Austria to Georgia, H. E. Thomas Muehlmann, the Regional Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the South Caucasus, Danielle Meuwly and the Head of the Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation of the Austrian Embassy, Alexander Karner visited the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Ajara regions and met with some beneficiaries of the Alliances Caucasus Programme (ALCP).

Teaching Agriculture For High Standards

11.05.2022 — Local news Georgia

The Swiss Government and UNDP are assisting the Swiss Agricultural School in Georgia

TBILISI. 11 May 2022 – Swiss Ambassador to Georgia Heidi Grau, Regional Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus, Embassy of Switzerland Danielle Meuwly and UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia Nick Beresford visited Dmanisi Municipality on 7 May to see the progress of the Swiss and UNDP-supported educational initiatives at the Swiss Agricultural School ‘Caucasus’ (SASC).