After five years since the conflict between Georgia and Russia over break-away Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, most part of Ergneti remains open for access. However, majority of its population can either not return to the village or stay there permanently as their houses are fully destroyed or considerably damaged. Sources of their income (assets, livestock) have been looted or burnt down during the war. Government of Georgia does not possess funds to support the Ergneti villagers’ return and reintegration. That is why the international community’s assistance is highly sought out. However, none of the international players have resources to get engaged in any of the villages bordering with break-away Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia. Without house repairs, population cannot return and benefit from income-generation opportunities offered. Although the State has started infrastructure repairs, resources have not reached so far the war-damaged villages of the Shida Kartli region where quite a number of community infrastructure facilities (e.g. ambulances, kindergartens, irrigation and water supply systems) supporting the reintegration of the returnee population remains in particular need of renovation.

Decreased vulnerability of the war affected returnee families in the village Ergneti (Gori District, Shida Kartli region) supports their stable return and reintegration.

Direct target group consists of the war affected returnee families to Ergneti village whose houses have been destroyed during the August 2008 conflict. The indirect target group consists of the family members of those war affected persons, who will receive self-reliance and business grants. Community of Ergneti at large will also benefit from the project as one community infrastructure facility, selected by the village inhabitants themselves, will be repaired.

War affected returnee families make full use of their renovated/newly built houses. Community makes intense use of a repaired infrastructure. War affected persons have their self-reliance and incomes sustainably improved.The current project phase represents a phase-out from the rehabilitation program in Shida Kartli (East Georgia).

Results from previous phases:  

52 war affected families in the village Ergneti assisted with house repairs. 23 war affected extremely vulnerable families provided with self-reliance grants. 50 war affected families provided with business grants in the village Ergneti. Ergneti Socio-Economic Assessment developed and shared with local authorities.

Phase 2 16.10.2013 - 30.06.2015   (Completed)