Both, the population and the municipality benefit from the implementation of the “Rural Support Program”. When there is a will from the state to involve the citizens in the decision-making process and not to budget only in the cabinet, this is one of the foundations of a democratic state. In this process, self-government implements the basic principle that is the main goal of self-government.

In the implementation of the “Rural Support Program”, the population remains the winner, because they decide for themselves what problem they want to solve and how to dispose of their money.

For this, it is necessary for the population to know how much money is allocated for their settlement, and also make decisions based on the general assemblies of the respective settlements or consultations with the  registered constituents,  about the problems they want to solve with that amount of money based on their common needs.

It is possible if you live in a Village type settlement.

The final decision in the “Village Support Program” is made by the General Assembly of the settlement based on the number of registered constituents (up to 500 inhabitants) or this is done by consulting with this constituent (more than 500 residents).

Thus, the involvement of officials does not affect the final decision.

The source of funding for the program is from the “Fund for Projects to be Implemented in the Regions of Georgia”, envisaged by the state budget of Georgia (2019 – 280 million GEL). The money  is calculated according to the following principle:

• For a settlement with a population of up to 200 people will be allocated 10,000 GEL;
•  Up to 201-400 people – 12 000 GEL;
• 401- up to 1,000 people – 16,000 GEL;
• More than 1 000 people _ 20 000 GEL.

It is possible to co-finance from other sources.

The amount of co-financing should not exceed 100 percent of the sum allocated from the fund for a particular project.

In a settlement where the number of registered constituents  is not more than 500, the project will be selected at the general assembly  of the settlement, which is ensured by the mayor of the respective municipality;

If the number is from 501 to 1000 constituents, the project will be selected through consultations with constituents, in which at least 100 constituents must participate;

If the number exceeds 1000 constituents, the project will be selected through consultations with constituents, in which at least 200 constituents must participate.

This is a legal process. Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia based on the information received from the LEPL-  National Statistics Office of Georgia on the number of population (except for the administrative centers of the municipalities and the population of the settlements of the municipalities on the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara)  calculates the specified amount of money. This amount is then managed by the population according to the criteria defined by the ordinance.

If no meeting / consultation has taken place, the amount allocated to the settlement will be directed to the regional fund and, therefore, the amount allocated for one settlement cannot be used to finance projects to be implemented in other settlements.

The relevant municipality is responsible for the purposeful and efficient use of the money.

The Ministry coordinates and monitors the progress and implementation of the projects.

A report on the progress and implementation of the program will be submitted to the Government of Georgia.

Creation of a working group – preparatory works – 28 / 12-08 / 01

Informing the population and receiving proposals – 03 / 01-15 / 01

Conducting meetings / consultations – 15 / 01-28 / 02

The rules of project selection procedures and criteria are set out in Ordinance №654 of the Government of Georgia of December 28, 2018.