Impact investing is playing an increasingly important role in the global economy as private capital is progressively directed toward initiatives that generate measurable social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns. Against the backdrop of climate change, rising inequalities, and growing sustainable development challenges, impact investing has emerged as a powerful tool for advancing economic growth while delivering tangible benefits for people and the planet. For Georgia, impact investing presents a significant opportunity. The country’s strategic location, renewable energy potential, growing connectivity, developing capital markets, and strong prospects in sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and sustainable tourism create fertile ground for investments that combine financial performance with positive social and environmental impact.In this interview with Sustainability Spotlight, Didier Trebucq, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Georgia, discusses the growing role of impact investing globally and, in the region, Georgia’s opportunities and challenges in attracting sustainable capital, as well as the importance of partnerships in building a more inclusive, green, and resilient future.What role can the United Nations system play in fostering an enabling environment for impact-oriented and sustainable investments?The UN is uniquely positioned to foster an enabling environment for impact-oriented and sustainable investments by acting simultaneously as a policy advisor, convenor, technical partner, and catalyst of change. The UN helps align investment with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2026-2030 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, agreed by the UN and the Government of Georgia in December 2025, sets the overall strategy for all 21 UN entities that together make up the UN Country Team. The overall goal of this framework is to promote green and inclusive development and reduce the urban-rural divide in Georgia. The UN also supports stronger policy and regulatory frameworks. Through strong partnerships with national, regional, and local authorities, as well as the private sector, UN agencies promote reforms in areas such as the circular economy and sustainable business practices, thereby making markets more attractive to impact investors.Crucially, the UN acts as a convenor and partnership broker. For example, the EU-UN programme on private sector competitiveness – implemented by UNDP, FAO, UNIDO, and IOM – has strengthened SMEs, business clusters, and access to international markets. Similarly, the UN can help develop investment pipelines and de-risk projects. Joint initiatives such as the SDG Localisation Programme (UNDP, FAO, UNICEF) support local development, renewable energy, and green entrepreneurship, turning local priorities into investable opportunities. In this context, the UN can also leverage its convening role to attract institutional investors for large-scale investments; this can be done in partnership with multilateral development banks, private investors, and, not least, the government. In sum, the UN’s role is not to replace investors, but to make markets work for sustainable development – by building the institutions, partnerships, and pipelines that allow impact investments to scale effectively in Georgia.Could you share examples of UN-supported initiatives or approaches that contribute to inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, or social development in Georgia?The UN Country Team supports a broad range of initiatives aimed at advancing inclusive economic growth, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting social development. The UN supports economic inclusion through programmes focused on rural and urban development, public-private partnerships, entrepreneurship, vocational education reform, competitiveness of small businesses, digitalisation both private and public service, connectivity, and green economic transition. These efforts help address persistent challenges such as unemployment and the comparatively low female labour force participation.  UN Women’s partnership with the private sector encourages companies to adopt the Women’s Empowerment Principles. WEP signatory companies reached over 71,000 women in Georgia through 2024, improving access to finance, healthcare, digital tools, and challenging workplace gender stereotypes.Another example is an FAO initiative that promotes climate-smart agriculture, food safety standards, and integrated rural development through Farmer Field Schools and the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS), modernising livestock and agriculture sectors, strengthening rural competitiveness, and creating non-agricultural employment.Climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction are key priorities for the UN in Georgia. UNDP’s 100 Communities Climate Resilience Program, implemented with support from the Green Climate Fund and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and two civil society organisations, Black Sea Eco Academy and Hydroc, works with 100 high-risk communities across11 river basins to reduce the risk of natural hazards.  The programme also strengthens climate adaptation capacities through multi-hazard risk mapping, early warning systems, and climate risk management for hydrometeorological hazards.Overall, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework places strong emphasis on reducing regional disparities, promoting decentralised and inclusive governance, protecting human rights, and ensuring that economic and social development benefits all communities across Georgia.From the perspective of the UN Country Team in Georgia, what are the main opportunities and challenges in attracting investments that generate measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns? Georgia has strong potential to attract impact investment due to its strategic location, rapidly expanding connectivity, renewable energy resources, agricultural sector, and robust economic growth. At the same time, the country has a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, creating a fertile environment for investments that are both economically sound and socially impactful.Key opportunities include renewable energy, sustainable tourism, agriculture, logistics, and circular economy businesses, such as recycling and waste management. Georgia’s hydropower, solar, and wind potential, along with projects like the Black Sea Submarine Cable, could help position the country as a regional green energy hub. These investments can create jobs, improve energy security, and reduce emissions. Georgia also has opportunities in low-carbon transport, climate-resilient infrastructure, digital education, telemedicine, and support for women-led businesses and MSMEs. These sectors can help reduce rural–urban inequality and improve financial inclusion and employment opportunities.Overall, Georgia offers good opportunities for investments that combine financial returns with positive social and environmental impact. However, achieving this potential will require stronger institutions, better regulations, improved data systems, and continued cooperation between government, development partners, and the private sector. A key challenge in this regard is to build strong partnerships and coalitions with key stakeholders at all levels to ensure that financial investments also translate into SDG acceleration and genuinely inclusive development.How can stronger cooperation between international organisations, governments, financial institutions, and the private sector accelerate sustainable development in Georgia?The imperative is clear: development organisations, private investors, financial institutions, governments, and the private sector must align priorities and financial instruments with the SDGs to unlock the full potential of financial instruments for long-term sustainable development in Georgia. Collaboration between international organisations, governments, financial institutions, and the private sectorcan combine policy leadership, financing, innovation, and technical expertise to achieve greater and more sustainable impact in areas like green energy, resilient infrastructure, digital innovation, and social inclusion, and help build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for Georgia. The United Nations can play a key role by offering technical assistance and capacity-building support, facilitating new financing mechanisms such as impact investment funds and blended finance opportunities, and advocating for policy reforms. In this context, the UN Global Compact Network Georgia plays an important role in mobilising and convening the private sector to foster investments and business practices with a strategic impact.How do you assess the current role of impact investing in advancing sustainable development globally and in the wider region?Globally, impact investing is becoming an important part of sustainable finance. It is already contributing to sustainable development, but it has not yet reached a transformative scale. Its main role is to direct private, profit-seeking capital toward social and environmental goals linked to the SDGs, especially in areas such as climate change. A 2025 survey by Vontobel shows that 81% of investors view decarbonisation as a current or future goal, while 77% prioritise a net-zero transition, with increasing emphasis on equal opportunities, diversity, and biodiversity-focused investments.Regional trends are equally revealing. The European private impact investing market (direct/indirect investments in unlisted assets) reached €190 billion in 2024, growing from €80 billion in two years[1]. Some reports estimate the broader European impact market at € 230 billion[2]. This growth is heavily driven by the engagement of institutional investors and a robust regulatory environment designed to generate measurable social and environmental benefits alongside financial returns.Impact investing in the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia) focuses on renewable energy and climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, tech innovation, regional connectivity, and Middle Corridor infrastructure to ensure growth is sustainable and equitable. The findings suggest that with the right investment frameworks and regulatory incentives, the full potential of impact investing can be unleashed.What message would you like to share with businesses and investors considering more responsible, impact-oriented investment approaches?The challenges facing the world today, including climate change, inequality, and fragile supply chains, require innovative financial solutions. Impact investing enables businesses and investors to generate financial returns while delivering positive social and environmental outcomes, such as job creation in underserved communities, climate‑resilient infrastructure, or improved access to essential services.To achieve lasting success, businesses and investors need clear objectives, strong governance, and long-term partnerships across the public and private sectors. Companies that adopt impact-focused strategies can reduce operational risks, strengthen resilience, and attract investors who prioritise long-term value and social responsibility. As part of our 2026-2030 Cooperation Framework for the UN in Georgia, we are establishing a Private Sector Advisory Group to facilitate more structured dialogue on sustainable development with key private-sector stakeholders. I want to take this opportunity to invite readers from the business community to engage. You are very welcome to reach out to the Resident Coordinator’s Office or to your counterparts in the various UN agencies to learn more about this initiative.As the private sector shapes economic, social, and environmental outcomes, sustainable business practices are essential, not optional. Global initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact reflect the growing international commitment to responsible finance.By expanding impact investing and sustainable finance, capital can support stronger communities, reduce inequality, and accelerate the transition toward a more resilient and sustainable future. Finally, I would like to emphasise that there are many opportunities for private investors to partner with strategic development actors, such as the UN, the World Bank, host governments, as well as bilateral donors, to pool resources and leverage their own investments for greater impact. The UN stands ready to facilitate and expand such partnerships, not least in Georgia.------------[1] GSG / European Impact Investing Consortium — “The Size of Impact” (2024 edition): the report page states: “The European private impact investing market — comprising both direct and indirect investments in unlisted assets — is estimated at €190 billion…” and: “The private impact investing market has shown notable growth, with investments in unlisted assets increasing from €80 billion to €190 billion over the past two years.”https://www.gsgimpact.org/resources/gsg-impact-publications-reports/the-size-of-impact-main-takeaways-from-the-european-impact-investing-market-siFing-exercise[2] Fondo Italiano d’Investimento and Human Foundation: the Impact Investing market in Europe is worth €230 billion – Fondo Italiano d’Investimento Original version on: https://unglobalcompact.ge/sustainability-spotlight/en/impact-investing-and-accelerating-sustainable-development-the-united-nations-vision-for-georgia/  

It also marked the final year of the 2021–2025 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework — a five-year partnership between Georgia and the United Nations focused on improving people’s lives and supporting inclusive development across the country.As Georgia continued to face economic changes, social transformation, and regional challenges, the United Nations worked closely with government institutions, civil society, local communities, and development partners to help create fair and sustainable opportunities for everyone.In the report’s foreword, UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq described 2025 as “a pivotal year for the partnership between Georgia and the United Nations.” He emphasized the importance of cooperation, open dialogue, and inclusive development, highlighting the UN’s role as a trusted partner that brings different groups together to find solutions and support joint action.The report highlights progress made under the 2021–2025 Cooperation Framework, especially in democratic governance, human rights, social inclusion, economic resilience, and climate action. Throughout the year, UN agencies supported reforms aimed at strengthening public institutions, improving access to quality services, promoting human rights, and creating more opportunities for women and young people.Strengthening governance and protecting human rights remained key priorities. Programmes focused on building accountable institutions, improving access to justice, supporting women’s participation in decision-making, and encouraging democratic governance. Civil society organizations, municipalities, and public institutions worked together to increase transparency and citizen participation, especially among women and youth. The report stresses that strong institutions are essential for long-term stability, public trust, and inclusive development.Improving access to essential services also remained central to the UN’s work. In remote regions and vulnerable communities, UN agencies supported better healthcare, education, and social protection systems. Inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches helped ensure that persons with disabilities, children, women, and marginalized groups were not left behind. These efforts reflected the UN’s broader commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and international human rights standards.Economic resilience was another major focus throughout the year. The UN supported entrepreneurship, innovation, local development, and inclusive economic opportunities to help ensure that economic growth improved people’s daily lives. Youth employment, women’s economic empowerment, digital transformation, and support for green businesses became important priorities across many programmes.Special attention was given to vulnerable and conflict-affected communities. Through targeted programmes, the UN helped strengthen social protection systems, support livelihoods, and build long-term resilience. Efforts focused on dignity, inclusion, and sustainable support for internally displaced persons and communities living near administrative boundary lines. Beyond addressing immediate needs, these initiatives aimed to strengthen trust and community resilience over time.At the same time, the UN continued supporting Georgia’s environmental and climate goals through green development initiatives and climate policy assistance. From sustainable natural resource management to climate resilience and green transition programmes, environmental sustainability has become increasingly linked to social and economic development. Support for climate policy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection reflected Georgia’s growing commitment to greener development pathways.Among the key achievements supported by the UN system in 2025 were:Georgia adopted its most ambitious climate commitment to date through the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), increasing the country’s target from a 35 percent to a 47 percent net greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.Food safety governance improved with the adoption of the Law on Food Loss and Waste Reduction and Food Donation, along with a new Food Safety Strategy and Food Waste Management Concept.Important legal and policy reforms were introduced to prevent early marriage, strengthen parental leave policies, expand gender-responsive and child-rights-based budgeting, and improve access to justice. In total, 1,511 vulnerable individuals received legal aid services. Beyond the achievements and policy reforms, however, the report’s greatest success may have been collaboration itself. More than 21 UN entities worked together with the Government of Georgia, municipalities, civil society organizations, academia, development partners, and the private sector throughout the year. The new 2026–2030 Cooperation Framework was also developed through consultations with more than 300 stakeholders across the country, reflecting a strong commitment to making future development efforts more inclusive, participatory, and responsive to people’s needs.The report concludes that strong partnerships and a continued commitment to human rights, equality, and sustainability remain essential to ensuring that no one is left behind in Georgia’s development journey.

The Government of Georgia and the United Nations in Georgia jointly organized the first annual meeting of the Joint Steering Committee of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026-2030. The Joint Steering Committee provides strategic oversight for the development and implementation of the Cooperation Framework, ensuring strong national ownership and alignment with Georgia’s development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The meeting was co-chaired by Zviad Barkaia, Deputy Head of the Administration of the Government of Georgia, and Didier Trebucq, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Georgia.In his remarks, Zviad Barkaia, Deputy Head of the Administration of the Government of Georgia, noted that the meeting marked the beginning of a new phase of strategic collaboration between the Government of Georgia and the United Nations. He emphasized that the UNSDCF 2026–2030 reflects national interests and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals.The UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq, stated: “The Cooperation Framework we are now implementing reflects an increased level of ambition. It responds to Georgia’s national priorities and to a rapidly evolving global context, while reaffirming our shared commitment to accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving this ambition will require us not only to deliver better results, but also to work differently—through stronger partnerships, more integrated approaches, and innovative funding and financing modalities that can unlock scale and systemic impact.”Ana Zec, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, presented key UN achievements in 2025 across five priority areas of the UNSDCF 2021–2025, including effective, transparent, and accountable institutions; equal and inclusive access to quality services; inclusive economic growth and human capital development; human security and resilience; and environmental protection and climate action. The UN Resident Coordinator, together with the co-chairs of the UNSDCF Results Groups: Mamuka Meskhi (Assistant FAO Representative in Georgia), Kaori Ishikawa (UN Women Country Representative in Georgia and Liaison for the South Caucasus), Giorgi Kalakashvili (UNICEF Child Rights Monitoring Specialist), and Douglas Webb (UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia), with participation of Deputy Ministers and UN Heads of Agencies, presented the Joint Workplan for 2026–2027. They outlined the four result areas of the UNSDCF 2026–2030: Inclusive growth, green transition and climate resilience; Education, health and social protection; Governance, human rights and gender equality; and an enabling environment for peace. Participants discussed planned interventions, resource allocation across four thematic areas and strategic priorities for future action.The meeting was attended by government representatives and members of the UN Country Team. The outcome of the meeting is the agreement on the Workplan for 2026-2027 for the four outcomes under the UNSDCF 2026-2030.For the UN Georgia Annual Report 2025, please click here. 

Justice for all women and girls must be delivered in law, in budgets, in institutions, in real life. Justice is not built by institutions alone. This is why every effort to improve access to justice is so important. Women survivors of violence in Georgia continue to face barriers in accessing essential services, and UN Women, together with its partners, is working to expand a nationwide network of crisis centres offering legal assistance, psychological counselling, social workers’ support and vital information to help survivors break the cycle of violence. To date, nine crisis centres have been opened across the country, improving access to justice and support for survivors.“I was experiencing panic attacks, and my doctor suggested I see a psychologist. I started looking for a specialist nearby, as travelling to Tbilisi would require additional time and money. That is how I found the Akhmeta Crisis Centre, where I have been receiving free psychological counselling for the past six months. I feel much better now; this support has been a great relief for me,” says Tamar Macharashvili*, a survivor of domestic violence.According to the 2022 National Study on Violence against Women in Georgia, conducted by UN Women and Geostat, seven in ten women who experience intimate partner violence report at least one psychological symptom, showing the lasting mental-health impact of domestic violence.Macharashvili, 56, lives in the village of Duisi in the Akhmeta Municipality and has two children. Although she divorced nearly 15 years ago, she continues to struggle with the trauma she suffered while married. The staff of the Akhmeta Crisis Centre have become her main supporters, as she is one of the 43 survivors assisted there so far. Launched in early 2024, the Centre was established by UN Women and Sweden and operates in partnership with the Sakartvelo Regional Empowerment Foundation (SREF).“Along with measures to prevent violence against women and girls, improving the quality of services and expanding access for survivors of violence remains one of the key challenges in combating
violence against women in Georgia. This is why UN Women, together with the national and local authorities, development partners, and private sectors, continues to strengthen and widen the network of shelters and crisis centres across the country,” stated Kaori Ishikawa, UN Women Country Representative in Georgia and Liaison for the South Caucasus.Of the nine crisis centres now operating in Georgia, seven are managed by the state and two by local non-governmental organizations.Akhmeta Crisis Centre, a space of solidarityThe Akhmeta Crisis Centre provides legal counselling, psychological services and social-worker support to women across the municipality. It also works to raise awareness about preventing and responding to violence against women and domestic violence, and it informs women about available services and empowerment opportunities. A child-friendly room allows mothers to safely leave their children while receiving support.A child-friendly room at the Akhmeta Crisis Centre. Photo: UN Georgia/Gela Bedianashvili.“More and more women are speaking out about the violence they have experienced and are asking for help. The Centre has become a space of solidarity, enabling many women to escape violence and rebuild their lives,” says Iza Bekauri, the Head of SREF, which operates the Centre.“I have personally sheltered many women in my own home, and I always hoped that Akhmeta would one day have a comfortable space tailored to the needs of local women. When I was offered the chance to open a crisis centre, I enthusiastically agreed. After its opening, word spread quickly, and many women began using our services."Iza Bekauri, Head of the Sakartvelo Regional Empowerment Foundation Today, the Akhmeta Crisis Centre receives five to seven women each month. Bekauri notes that some women choose not to register officially as beneficiaries while seeking assistance. “Unfortunately, due to a lack of income and own housing, many women continue to stay in abusive relationships and endure violence,” she says. “In such cases, they need empowerment, economic and emotional support, just to know that they are not alone and that we stand by their side.”Social norms and stigma continue to silence survivorsWhile reporting rates of violence against women have risen in Georgia, many women - both in Akhmeta Municipality and nationwide - remain silent due to discriminatory social norms. According to the National Study, more than one third - 38.2 per cent - of women who have survived physical and/or sexual partner violence have never told anyone about their experiences.Macharashvili explains that while she receives psychological counselling, the Centre’s staff also guide women who need legal advice. “For women who need legal support, the staff explain the laws, help them understand their rights, and encourage them to find a solution.”“I am grateful that women know that no matter how difficult their situation is, they can come to us and count on our support,” Bekauri concludes.The Akhmeta Crisis Centre was established within the UN Joint Programme for Gender Equality (UNJP4GE) and continues to operate under this framework._______* Name, surname, age and place of residence have been changed to protect privacy.