With it organization of the Office of the State Minister of Reconciliation and Civic Equality in the framework of the Pankisi Gorge’s Development Program, a training course "Learn how to start and develop business" started for women of Pankisi. The course was opened by the Deputy State Minister Lia Gigauri and the Deputy Director of the Academy of the Ministry of Finance Giorgi Razmadze.

14 women from Pankisi Gorge are participating in the training course. The goal of the course is to increase women's entrepreneurial skills - to strengthen the practical skills and theoretical knowledge of business issues.

The Deputy State Minister welcomed the participants of the training and thanked them for their interest to this project. She said that the strengthening women's welfare is one of the State priorities. For this purpose the program was developed, the first phase of which has now begun.

"One of the most important and priority directions within the State Strategy of civic integration is development of Pankisi Gorge. We have already developed a Strategic Program of development and Action plan for 2019-2020. It is very important to focus on strengthening women, improving their socioeconomic conditions, creating conditions that enable them to work, engage in economic and civil activities.

"The ladies involved in the project already have business ideas in order to start their own business and work with their villagers. Create a product that will be available not only within the Gorge, but on the entire Georgian market. Within the framework of the program women will not only develop skills and a proper attitude towards business, but they will be able to create a mini-business project, present it to the UN and receive grant in order to start or development their business", - said Lia Gigauri.

The course includes interactive lectures and practical tasks. Training topics include: establishing a new business idea, market analysis and division of fields, planning a minimally viable product, business-modeling, development of commercial strategy, planning of financial documents and financing sources and preparation of an investment presentation. At the end of the course, different categories of certificates are issued.  

The project is implemented in cooperation with the Academy of the Ministry of Finance and with the support of UN Women.