Background

On their path to greener economies and closer ties with the EU, countries in the Eastern Neighborhood Region must navigate a fragile and dynamic context shaped by manifold economic, environmental, and social factors. A just and green transition of the region, therefore, should confront this complexity: its environmental benefits should lead to improvements in socio-economic well-being and shared prosperity, while supporting institutional capacities and civic spaces to deal with the region’s frayed social fabric.

To this end, the Greening the Future project develops people-centred and innovative solutions that promote democratic local governance and a green and just transition.

In Georgia, the project accelerates green transition with a local governance-anchored approach, with emphasis on evidence-based decision-making and civil society participation in planning.

In Moldova, it has a dedicated focus on energy and transport sectors, supporting regulatory environments and driving behavioural change towards renewable energy and energy efficiency. A regional component coheres and synthesizes them with knowledge-sharing and adaptive learning.
 

Objectives

The project's objective is to assist countries in the Eastern Neighborhood region, particularly Georgia and Moldova, in adopting and accelerating development pathways that are green, inclusive, and resilient. This objective will yield three outcomes:

In Georgia, the project aims to reduce territorial disparities by fostering inclusive local development and a green transition in the municipalities of Poti and Khobi. Area-based development solutions will reinforce democratic governance and social cohesion.

In Moldova, the project supports the green transition of the energy and transport sectors by strengthening institutional capabilities, adopting gender-sensitive policy/regulatory frameworks, and increasing access to finance.
Regionally, the project will enhance cooperation, networking, knowledge sharing, and solutions for an accelerated inclusive green transition and proactive, anticipatory governance.