As mentioned before, participatory planning approach was used by establishing the monitoring committee. 30% of the representatives of local communities will be women. Gender is an important part of the project meaning that at least 25% of the beneficiaries are women, among which 20% are women under 30. (In this case schoolchildren). It will ensure women empowerment in environmental protection and tourism activities. It will also encourage practical environmental knowledge sharing.
Information tour for tour operators, trainings sessions and individual consultations.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
More than 30 schoolchildren and more than 20 local community representatives trained. They are able to create new, diversified, community-based tourism products and services according to the market demand. It will help at some point knowledge sharing at different levels.
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
Participatory planning approach is actively used in the planning and design phase of the project to consider the views of all interested parties at different stages of project implementation and prevent potential conflicts in the community.
Participatory planning ensures the involvement of different groups (including vulnerable communities) in the project making the results more realistic and tailored to the needs of the local community.
A monitoring committee was established with the representatives of Georgian Ecotourism Association, National Tourism Association, Agency of Protected Areas, Representatives of Borjomi and Akhalkalaki municipalities and action groups and representatives of active members of local communities, in total 8-10 representatives.
The committee will ensure the successful implementation of the project and active participation of local communities. The role of indigenous peoples is crucial during identification of challenges and needs, finding alternatives, planning etc.
Capacity - Building Component
Project - "Ensuring the sustainability of the Ktsia-Tabatskuri Protected Area through the development of ecotourism products in the local community" means involvement of Tabatskuri local community to protect biological and cultural heritage of the environment as well as improvement socio-economic conditions through creating ecotourism products.
Different awareness raising trainings and individual consultations were conducted during project implementation which will ensure diversified sustainable products and services provided by trained people.
Notable Community Participation
The beneficiaries of the project are existing and potential tour operators of Tabatskuri community as well as schoolchildren of Balanta and Tabatskuri public schools above 7th grade. Local schoolchildren and tour operators participated in the training programme on environment and ecotourism during the project implementation. Two trainings were conducted and around 50-60 representatives of both tour operators and local schools were participated.
Policy Impact
The project does not plan to produce any policy impact.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
With different actions/activities the project aims to improve the socio-economic environment of the local community. These actions have both direct and indirect impact on the current situation and contributes to creating better living conditions of local community:
Two-days training will be conducted in Tabatskuri community to raise awareness on environmental issues. First day will be dedicated to schoolchildren and second day to existing and potential tour operators.
Four-days training will be conducted for beneficiaries on importance, benefits and potential of ecotourism products, sustainable tourism and community-based tourism. (One-day training for schoolchildren in Armenian and Georgian languages in separate sessions and three-days training for existing and potential tour operators).
Individual consultations will be conducted with different existing and potential tour operators.
Banding of products and services.
All ecotourism products will be placed on at least one online platform, which will be easily managed by the products owners.
Project Results
After the implementation of the project, the two main results are expected, on which the project has a partial impact.
First - raised awareness on environmental issues among tourism service providers near the Ktsia-Tabatskuri Managed Reserve. Environmental degradation and unsustainable use are reduced. Increased nature conservation and effective sustainable management practices. Local community supports the conservation activities of threatened ecosystems and species.
Second - the direct and indirect benefits from tourism are increased for the existing and potential service providers of the Tabatskuri community, which is facilitated by the increased qualification of the beneficiaries. New community-based and diversified ecotourism products and services created, focused on quality and experience.
The expected result of the project is the creation of new tourism services and products and diversification of existing ones, increasing the quality of services through increased awareness of local community.
