As part of the knowledge management strategy, the Tsalki Local Development Group has actively implemented the following mechanisms:
1. An active and regularly updated Google Drive database is in place to accumulate materials developed by the organization. This serves as a centralized repository for project-related documents and resources.
2. Members of the Executive Board regularly engage in Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions to consistently share the knowledge and experience they have acquired with the population. This approach ensures a continuous transfer of expertise within the organization.
These established mechanisms will be seamlessly utilized in relation to the products created within the framework of the project. They provide efficient platforms for storing, managing, and disseminating knowledge and resources developed through the project's activities.
Based on existing research, it is evident that there are various needs related to environmental and climate change among different groups in the Tsalka municipality, including farmers, youth, and women. To address these needs, the project incorporates demonstrations within its framework. The implementation of the project also emphasizes further practice-based learning (WBL) tailored to the participants' abilities. This approach aims to strengthen and foster growth among the participants in response to their identified needs.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The model demonstration projects will serve as a direct indicator of the improvement in the socio-economic status of project beneficiaries.
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
The project team in Tsalka Municipality plans to employ the following community involvement model:
1. Tsalka Lag has created its own Facebook page, Facebook thematic groups, and a website (www.tsalkalag.ge). These platforms serve as effective channels for providing information to the community population, facilitating their mobilization, and encouraging involvement in various activities.
2.Tsalka Lag has created its own Facebook page, Facebook thematic groups, and a website (www.tsalkalag.ge). These platforms serve as effective channels for providing information to the community population, facilitating their mobilization, and encouraging involvement in various activities.
3.The coordinator of the gender direction, in collaboration with the Gender Room of the City Hall, has created a database of active and ethnic minority women representatives. Direct communication is established with them to mobilize and involve them in project activities.
4. Four teachers, including two school principals, are part of the Executive Council of Lagi. This composition facilitates easy and effective communication and coordination with school teachers and young people.
5. Tsalka Lag has compiled a database of young innovators, providing them with a convenient means of direct communication through Google Drive.
6. Tsalka Lag utilizes various mechanisms such as communication with City Hall representatives and the dissemination of information through them, cooperation with the educational resource center, timely delivery of information to school principals, participation and involvement in village assemblies, organization of periodic visits to villages, and active distribution of various information brochures and posters in all villages.
Notable Community Participation
The youth engagement project plays a crucial role in the overall implementation process, with one of its primary goals being the active involvement of young people. Specifically, throughout the project, young individuals will be engaged through a participatory approach to address climate change. Their active participation will extend to the preparation of recommendations for adapting to environmental changes. Moreover, they will play a key role in community information initiatives, with a primary focus on capacity development and ensuring sustained engagement. Local youth will actively participate in focus groups, contributing to the project's success.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
To enhance population awareness, the project will utilize the following communication channels during its implementation:
1. Leveraging the LAG's official website, which is highly recognizable and receives substantial traffic in Tsalka. This platform will serve as a key source of information for the project.
2. Utilizing the social website of LAG, which currently boasts more than 800 active users. Social media platforms provide an effective means to disseminate information and engage with the community
3. Leveraging the official website and Facebook page of the City Hall. These platforms provide additional channels to reach a broader audience and keep the community informed about the project.
4. Ensuring active representation of LAG members in all villages and towns of Tsalka municipality. Direct engagement with local communities is crucial for disseminating information, addressing concerns, and fostering community involvement.
By utilizing these diverse communication channels, the project aims to maximize its reach and ensure that information about the project is effectively communicated to the population in Tsalka municipality.
Gender Focus
Within the framework of the mentioned project, Lagi aims to maximize the integration of gender issues by implementing the following measures:
Lagi will ensure the active participation of women in project activities by leveraging its database of active women and directly coordinating with them.
Women's resources will be accumulated through collaboration with schools. This is particularly relevant as many women in the municipality are both teachers and engaged in agricultural activities.
In the implementation of demonstration projects, the gender issue will be regarded as one of the main criteria. This approach aims to encourage and motivate women, emphasizing their active involvement in the project.
Project Results
All the activities conducted within the project have had a positive impact on enhancing the knowledge and practical skills of the beneficiaries, leading to increased awareness. The direct and indirect beneficiaries have learned climate-smart agricultural practices through various initiatives:
? More than 50 farmers received consultations from an agricultural expert on the practices of growing different endemic varieties. Trainings were conducted for 47 farmers from other municipalities, providing them with practical knowledge on implementing climate-smart agriculture practices.
? About 1,000 farmers benefited from a research document developed within the project, along with its recommendations. The organization actively advocates for these issues within various projects, contributing to widespread awareness.
? Four demonstration plots were organized within the project. Beneficiaries demonstrated positive results:
1. One beneficiary successfully grew and marketed crops of endemic varieties in the local market.
2. The second beneficiary achieved a 17% yield increase on 1 ha using the drip system, minimizing soil erosion processes.
3. The third beneficiary increased the cultivation of horticultural crops and became competitive in the local market.
4. The fourth beneficiary improved the eco-system of 13 ha pasture and prevented degradation through the implementation of a modern fencing system.
? WBL training was conducted on the demonstration plots, benefiting more than 30 farmers by providing hands-on knowledge and practical experience.
? The media has become more active in covering topics related to climate-smart agriculture and similar issues in the municipality. This marks a positive shift from the earlier lack of media presence, with increased attention given to infrastructural projects.
Overall, the project has not only imparted valuable knowledge to farmers but has also showcased successful implementations, fostering positive changes in agricultural practices and contributing to broader awareness through media coverage.
