Safeguarding Georgia’s Biodiversity

UNDP and partners conclude a US$9.8 million programme to enhance financial stability and foster biodiversity monitoring across Georgia's twelve largest protected areas

October 10, 2024

Biodiversity Monitoring in Georgia — Photo: UNDP/CNF/NACRES

UNDP, the Caucasus Nature Fund (CNF), and the Agency of Protected Areas (APA) have concluded a five-year initiative to enhance financial sustainability and management effectiveness across Georgia’s twelve largest protected areas.

This US$9.8 million programme was co-funded by Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (US$4.6 million), CNF (US$3.1 million), the Global Environment Facility (US$1.8 million), and the Bank of Georgia (US$200,000).

Georgia’s civil society organizations, academic and research institutions, private consultancies, and individual experts played an important role in implementing the programme, ensuring quality research, fostering biodiversity monitoring, providing training and consultancy, and supporting protected areas in piloting new income generation approaches.

"Georgia has made remarkable progress in managing its protected areas. Over recent years, we have established 32 new protected areas and expanded their territory by 75 percent. We have also launched key initiatives to improve management, protect biodiversity, promote eco-tourism, and create new economic opportunities for local communities. This progress has been made possible through government efforts and international support, and we remain committed to continuing this vital work.”

Nino Tandilashvili, First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

“Georgia’s diverse biodiversity is a precious resource and a great responsibility. UNDP is proud to work with government partners, international organizations, and civil society to support protected areas in conserving biodiversity, promoting research, and preserving Georgia’s natural heritage for future generations."

Douglas Webb, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia

Programme Highlights:

The project, Enhancing Financial Sustainability of the Protected Areas System of Georgia, brought tangible benefits to twelve protected areas, including:

Algeti Protected Area
Borjomi-Kharagauli Protected Area
Javakheti Protected Area
Kazbegi National Park
Kintrishi Protected Area
Lagodekhi Protected Area
Machakhela National Park
Mtirala National Park
Pshav-Khevsureti National Park
Tusheni National Park
Tusheti Protected Landscape
Vashlovani Protected Area

Key achievements include:

Protected Areas Management & Financial Sustainability:

Updated operational plans for all twelve protected areas.
Introduced Management Effectiveness Assessment Plans (MEAP) across all protected areas.
Piloted eco-tourism investment projects to explore new income-generation opportunities in selected protected areas.
Conducted comprehensive studies to explore financing and income-generation opportunities for protected areas. These include:
- Financial Gap and Income Generation Analysis, including a methodology for estimating financial needs.
- Ecosystem Service Valuation and Cost-Benefit Analysis followed by an information campaign supporting protected area expansion and financing.
- Finance Opportunity Analysis.
- Alternative Revenue Generation for local needs and development.
- Entrance fee study in the Mtirala and Lagodekhi protected areas, with piloting planned for late 2024.
- Alternative revenue generation study for all protected areas.

Biodiversity Monitoring:

Established the Biodiversity Monitoring Council under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA), engaging key government, academia, and civil society stakeholders.
Set up Biodiversity Monitoring Coordination Units within MEPA’s Biodiversity and Forestry Departments and the Agency of Protected Areas.
Launched a 10-year Biodiversity Monitoring Programme and Plan across the twelve protected areas, ensuring ongoing field monitoring beyond the project.
Implemented the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) in all protected areas.

Training and Capacity Development:

Developed a National Training Strategy and Programme for the protected areas’ system, including a five-year training plan and a 10-year training concept.
Launched an online training platform offering courses in protected areas management, environmental tourism, ranger work, and more.
Conducted thematic training for APA staff in areas such as first aid, communication, and financial management.
Piloted community-based income generation initiatives.

Piloting New Approaches:

Developed new infrastructure in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, including a tourist shelter and a Business Service Yard in Nedzvi, to promote environmental tourism and support sustainable timber processing.

Media Contacts:

Sophie Tchitchinadze, UNDP, +995 599 196907, sophie.tchitchinadze@undp.org
Ira Sulava, UNDP, +995 599 579105, irine.sulava@undp.org

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