Members of the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) officially commenced their term by joining a kick-off meeting in Tbilisi on September 2, which brought together 15 young leaders from across the country.Initiated by UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq as sounding board of the UN Country Team,  the group is  expected to provide input on policies, programs, and strategies affecting youth, ensuring that the voices of the young people are integrated into the planning, implementation, and monitoring of UN programs and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026-2030.During this first meeting, members of the YAG had the opportunity to meet one another, exchange ideas, and begin building a joint strategy for their future work.“Young people are essential allies in shaping the UN’s work today for the benefit of Georgian people. Through meaningful participation and ongoing engagement, we are ensuring that young people’s voices, ideas and lived experiences help shape priorities and drive real, sustainable change through the implementation of the Georgia’s 2026–2030 Cooperation Framework, which will ultimately impact the people of Georgia’s lives,” said UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq during the launch event.The discussion focused on defining realistic opportunities for youth engagement, and identified priority areas for the group’s work, including activities and policies group would jointly tackle.Members of the group emphasised that their goal during their mandate is to  represent the needs and perspectives of young people in Georgia and translate them into concrete and actionable recommendations for the UN.“The creation of this group is important for young people to listen to one another, exchange views and ideas, and engage constructively for the country’s future,’ said Rezi Dgebuadze, a member of the YAG and youth activist, a 3rd-grade student at Free University from Tbilisi.Also speaking, the Youth leader from Pankisi Gorge, Akhmeta region, Giorgi Mokverashvili, welcomed the decision to create a group, noting that it would build stronger relationships among youth groups across the country. “A very important platform was created for young people. In this group there are young people not only  from the capital, but also from the regions.”“I think the creation of this group is important for our country, because we, young people, can make real change for the better,” said Salome Chakhaia, a youth leasder from Zugdidi, Samegrelo region.Members of the Youth Advisory Group were selected through a nationwide competitive application process, ensuring representation from various demographics, interests and experiences.These passionate individuals bring a wealth of knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm to the table, embodying the diversity and dynamism of the youth population in Georgia.In the coming period, Group members will continue working on the priority topics defined during this meeting through planned follow-up sessions, where progress will be reviewed and next steps agreed.The YAG is also intended to move beyond one-off consultations towards a more systematic, inclusive and sustained model of youth engagement for co-creation. It seeks to create a space for constructive dialogue between young people and the UN, while strengthening the responsiveness and relevance of the UN’s support to the people of Georgia.The initiative is also closely aligned with Georgia’s ongoing efforts to develop a new National Youth Strategy. In this regard, the YAG can contribute to a broader national conversation on youth participation, inclusion and empowerment, while providing an important channel for young people to engage with the national development agenda.

In Georgia, 1.7 million people, more than 40 percent of the population, live in areas exposed to climate-related hazards, including floods, landslides, avalanches, and extreme weather. According to the National Statistics Office, the country experiences around 1,000 geological and 170 hydrometeorological events every year, with both their frequency and intensity continuing to rise. [Source: GEOSTAT]To meet this growing challenge, Georgia is strengthening its resilience to climate change. The country is improving its climate monitoring and weather forecasting, expanding early warning systems, introducing risk-informed land-use planning, and protecting high-risk locations with retaining walls, gabions, and other protective infrastructure. This transformation is part of the nationwide climate programme led by the Government of Georgia and UNDP, with support from the Green Climate Fund, Sweden, and Switzerland. Building resilience, however, takes time. While these long-term investments are laying the foundations for a safer future, climate hazards are already disrupting the lives of hundreds of communities. The greatest burden falls on those with the fewest resources to cope, including rural women, children, older people, persons with disabilities, and people living in remote mountain villages.That is why immediate, community-led action matters.Working with national and local partners, UNDP has identified 100 communities across Georgia where climate risks are especially high. Home to more than 360,000 people, these communities are now strengthening their climate resilience.With UNDP support, residents are assessing climate risks, developing disaster risk management plans, establishing local councils to coordinate preparedness and response, and implementing practical solutions that help prevent disasters where possible and reduce their impact when they occur.By the end of 2026, all 50 of the selected communities in western Georgia will have completed small-scale climate adaptation projects tailored to their local needs. Another 50 communities in eastern Georgia will follow suit by the end of 2027.From reinforcing unstable hillsides and riverbanks to restoring drainage systems, these relatively modest interventions are making a tangible difference. They help people protect their homes, livelihoods, and essential services while building confidence to face a changing climate together.According to Douglas Webb, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia, “At the heart of climate resilience are people. When communities understand their risks and take action, they can protect lives, livelihoods, and their future.”Video Player If Something Can Be Done, Here We Are!"If something can be done, here we are!" says Olia Chelidze, an elderly resident of Kvabgha, a picturesque village in western Georgia where breathtaking scenery conceals the constant threat of landslides and flooding.During heavy rains, the hillside above the village begins to move. Mud and soil slide downhill, damaging homes and washing away orchards. The last time it happened in 2023, a mudflow burst through the walls of Olia's house while she was alone with her grandchildren. It cracked the foundations of her home and uprooted the hazelnut trees in her garden."The hillside collapsed several times. We tried to deal with it ourselves, but there was nothing we could do," Olia recalls.Today, her home is far better protected. A 25-metre-long, two-metre-high retaining wall has been built at the foot of the slope, while reinforcement works and newly planted willow trees stabilised the hillside and reduced erosion."The roots hold the soil together. We look after the trees because we know how important they are," Olia says.Kvabgha is one of the 100 high-risk communities across Georgia where local climate adaptation projects are delivering immediate protection from growing climate threats. Beyond the infrastructure they create, these initiatives leave communities with something just as valuable: the confidence that by working together, they can reduce risks, protect one another, and build a safer future.Klara Kutubidze | Village Supsa, Lanchkhuti MunicipalityPhoto: UNDP | Nino ZedginidzeSafer Together"Whenever heavy rains came, we stayed awake all night. Water would flood our home, and mud would fill the rooms," recalls Klara Kutubidze from the village of Supsa in Lanchkhuti Municipality.For rural families in Georgia, climate change is not a distant threat. They see it in flooded gardens, rain-damaged homes and roads made unsafe by mudflows and rainfall. These impacts can also mean more work and worries for women, who often play a key role in bringing community concerns to the table and turning them into action.Klara is one of them. For her, adapting to a changing climate is more than building stronger infrastructure. It is also about neighbours coming together, identifying shared challenges, and working as a team to solve them. She now brings her community together to help residents communicate their concerns to local authorities."One swallow does not make a summer," Klara says with a smile. "If we want our village to be safer, everyone must do their part."That spirit of collective action has shaped the village's response to flooding. Together, residents identified the greatest risks and discussed local solutions needed to protect them. As a result, a 246-metre concrete drainage channel clogged with sediment was cleaned, another 270 metres of earthen channel was restored, a further 180 metres of drainage channel was widened to improve water flow, and a 30-metre protective concrete wall was built.These priorities emerged from community discussions and were incorporated into a local disaster risk management plan. More than a planning document, it has become a roadmap for community-led climate action, ensuring that local knowledge, shared responsibility, and practical solutions work hand in hand to make Supsa safer and more resilient.Video Player Standing Against the WindIn Sviri village, strong and frequent winds are shaping daily life and livelihoods, damaging rooftops, uprooting trees, and affecting agricultural land."Everyone here grows corn," says resident Paata Gvenetadze. "Sometimes the wind is so strong that it flattens the entire crop."To protect the village and reduce the impact of winds, UNDP helped plant a 660-metre-long windbreak of cypress trees. Paata and other community members actively engaged in tree planting, which responded directly to a locally identified need."Cypress trees work like a natural wind barrier," Paata explains. "This is what the village asked for, and now it has been done."Lili Nadiradze | Village Chognari, Samtredia MunicipalityPhoto: UNDP | Nino ZedginidzeWhen Roads Become LifelinesFor Lili Nadiradze from Chognari village, rainy days always brought the same worry: whether her granddaughter would be able to get to school and return home safely.In Chognari, home to just 14 households, heavy rains often damage the main road. This road is more than a local connection. It links ten small villages of the Sajavakho community to the administrative centre, providing access to basic services, including education and healthcare. When the road is cut off, access to school, municipal services, and emergency support becomes difficult or even impossible.To address these risks, a series of protective works was carried out along the road. A 236-metre concrete drainage channel was constructed to divert water safely, a five-metre drainage cover was installed, and around 100 metres of road were reinforced with gravel. In addition, a drinking water pipeline was installed to meet community needs.These measures now help ensure safer, more reliable movement for residents, while keeping essential services within reach even during heavy rains.“The water no longer comes onto the road. It flows through the channels instead,” Lili says. “It is better for everyone. For those who have moved away and for those who still live here.”Zestaponi MunicipalityPhoto: UNDP | Gaga KapanadzeResilience Begins with UsIn western Georgia, community-driven climate action now spans 45 communities across the basins of six rivers: Chorokhi, Enguri, Khobistskali, Natanebi, Rioni, and Supsa. Since 2024, 55 disaster-risk reduction projects have been completed, strengthening protection against floods, landslides, and erosion.These interventions include improved drainage systems, reinforced riverbanks with gabions and riprap berms, cleared and restored river channels, rockfall protection nets, windbreaks, afforestation to stabilise slopes, and retaining walls in landslide-prone areas.They are helping to slow water flows, stabilise vulnerable terrain, and reduce the impact of extreme weather events on nearby settlements.The programme is now expanding to 50 communities in eastern Georgia, with all planned works expected to be completed by the end of 2027.The results are already visible: safer homes and infrastructure, better-informed communities, stronger local response to climate hazards, and, most importantly, hundreds of small but meaningful steps towards a climate-resilient Georgia.Check our YouTube channel for all video interviews.BackgroundWith US$74 million in funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Sweden, Switzerland, and the Georgian Government, UNDP helps Georgia rethink its climate resilience to protect people and the economy from climate-driven disasters. This major seven-year-long effort draws on partnerships with the public and civic sectors, local communities, and international development partners. More information is available here.

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/  

Nearly 20% of Georgia’s population is made up of young people.The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the European Union, supports youth empowerment by equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need through a range of informational, educational and innovative initiatives, including the Change Seekers Club.The club brings together participants in the “Youth for Social Change” initiative from Kvemo Kartli and Guria. With the support of UNFPA and the European Union, the initiative now connects more than 120 young people who believe in equality and are eager to drive the changes needed to challenge stereotypes and build a more equal, sustainable and harmonious future.It was these young people who came together for the first Summer Academy, “Youth and a Sustainable, Digital Future.”“Every session was unforgettable and filled us with so much positive energy. I particularly enjoyed the discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) and disinformation because these topics are so relevant today, and understanding them is important for our education. I want to encourage my friends to take part in programmes like this and tell them not to give up, to stay active and always keep moving forward,” says 14-year-old Anano Menteshashvili from Marneuli, a participant in the Academy.That was precisely the purpose of the Academy: to help young people living in the regions discover new opportunities, build connections with local and international organizations, and gain inspiring experiences that would encourage them not to be afraid of challenges, but to move forward with confidence - towards their dreams.The Summer Academy combined educational and innovative activities and explored such relevant topics as digital safety, media literacy and artificial intelligence (AI) - knowledge that is essential for navigating today’s information society.The sessions also inspired 17-year-old Rezi Zoidze, who joined the programme from Lanchkhuti together with his peers.“The atmosphere at the meetings was always warm and welcoming, and we had very good and engaging speakers. We were given the opportunity to gain professional knowledge that is essential for our future. When I return home, I will definitely share what I have learned with my friends. Most importantly, the Academy showed me how important it is to overcome the fear of meeting new people. When the Academy began, we didn’t know each other, but by the end, we had formed meaningful relationships and created unforgettable memories,” says Rezi.As part of the Academy, young people met Nicolas Sandrovich, Head of the Development and Cooperation Section of the European Union Delegation. They discussed the shared values of Georgia and the European Union, as well as the role young people can play in shaping a more sustainable European future for the country.During a meeting with Didier Trebucq, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Georgia, and Mariam Bandzeladze, Head of the UNFPA Georgia Country Office, participants discussed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the crucial role young people can play in building a sustainable, harmonious and equal future.The Academy also featured informative, educational and inspiring meetings with representatives of TBC Bank, Ilia State University’s FabLab, and Impell. These sessions gave participants a broader understanding of modern technological innovations, emerging challenges and the opportunities available to young people.The Youth Summer Academy was initiated by UNFPA as part of the European Union-funded programmes “Gender Equality for Georgia” (GE4Georgia) and “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence" programme (phase 2).