South Caucasus
Humanitarian Context
The extensive socio-economic transformation undertaken over the last decade by transition countries in the South Caucasus, as well as the fragile regional political context, are all factors that have substantially affected the structure of national economies and the living standards of most of the population in the region.
Some consequences of this transformation represent barriers to socio-economic growth and livelihoods sustainability and include among others: frozen conflicts and protracted marginalization of IDPs and returnees; weakness of regional and local development strategies, limited local governments’ capacity and availability of resources to implement development plans; scarce engagement into productive activities in rural areas; weak labour laws; gender inequalities; poor good governance; degradation of natural resources; inadequate framework and strategies for disaster risk reduction.
Active in the region since 1994, Action Against Hunger is a leading actor in the South Caucasus in promoting capacities of communities and households to improve practices and socio-economic conditions and in transforming systems with partners and institutions to obtain substantial change. The South Caucasus Mission has successfully adapted its activities to the different needs of the population and reformulated its strategies to the different challenges posed by the context and today its presence in the region is as substantial as it was 25 years ago. Action Against Hunger in the South Caucasus implements programmes across the three countries of the region in both rural and urban areas. Special focus is given to the inclusion of marginalised groups, especially youth and women, providing them better access to social services, contributing to their socio-economic empowerment and advocating on their behalf.
Projects target mainly the food security, rural development and livelihoods. Action Against Hunger is particularly active in the agriculture sector, assisting the development of agricultural cooperatives and supporting farmers by introducing best practices and new technical approaches through its Agricultural Training Centres. It also supports plant protection and pest management, as well as animal husbandry and health. Recently, Action Against Hunger has been supporting a process of participatory community-led local development that brings community members together to determine development priorities and make decision on local projects to be funded. To assist its economic and social inclusion programming, Action Against Hunger has developed the “Employment and Entrepreneurship Shuttle” methodology that supports marginalised groups by developing their social skills, improving self-esteem and increasing their key employability and entrepreneurial competences. Through the shuttles that are currently being implemented in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia the participants gaining experience and confidence to access the job market, return to education or open a business venture.
South Caucasus
managed by
AAH SPAIN
launch date
1994
areas of intervention
Tbilisi, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Abkhazia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
18,244
beneficiaries
8,915
water, sanitation, hygiene
9,329
livelihoods, social protection
49
workers
5
expatriates
44
national staff
8,915
water, sanitation, hygiene
9,329
livelihoods, social protection
5
expatriates
44
national staff