Nestled in the scenic highlands of the Ajara Autonomous Republic, Machakhela National Park was established in 2012 to preserve the UNESCO-protected Colchic rainforests. Beyond its role as a crucial biodiversity reserve, the park offers a unique opportunity to foster eco-tourism and advance the green economy in Georgia.During a recent visit to Ajara, Didier Trebucq, the UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, witnessed firsthand how green practices like eco-farming, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism are transforming the lives of over 3,000 residents in Machakheli Valley. These initiatives, led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from various donors, including the European Union, Japan, the Czech Republic, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), are creating lasting impacts in local communities.Machakhela National Park stands as an example of how biodiversity conservation efforts can blend with community development, demonstrating that environmental protection benefits both people and nature.  Bioenergy in a nutshell Leila Kakhidze is a teacher in Zeda Chukhuneti village, located in the Khelvachauri municipality. Like many rural residents, Leila has to supplement her professional work of teaching primary classes with small business activities to make a living. She owns a small family café that offers stunning views of the valley.  “There is a lot that we still need to do, but things are moving fast. I am sure this small café will turn into a nice guesthouse soon,” Leila says, looking at the construction. Leila is among the Machakheli Valley residents who have installed energy-efficient stoves and introduced renewable energy in their homes thanks to UNDP support.In 2017, she was one of the first to pioneer green technologies. Being a trailblazer was not always easy; her neighbours were initially unsupportive. The community relied heavily on traditional practices such as timber harvesting. However, as time passed, almost all households gradually shifted from scepticism to support for conservation efforts. As part of the initiative, almost all households in her village have already installed solar panels which help operate the water heating system. They also shifted from firewood to energy-efficient stoves and biomass for winter heating. The push towards energy efficiency has further helped her and other residents lower their heating costs, contributing to their overall economic resilience.  During a UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq visit, Leila shared how switching to alternative fuel has transformed her life. "First of all, the renewable energy sources—firewood biomass, energy-efficient stoves, and solar panels—help me maintain a comfortable temperature and ensure constant hot water at home during winter, reducing annual expenses on heating. For the valley, this means that our green cover remains undamaged and our forests intact," Leila remarks.While the shift to renewable energy sources can lead to long-term savings, the initial costs associated with purchasing and installing solar panels and energy-efficient stoves may have been a barrier for some households considering similar changes. UNDP’s support contributes to overcoming these barriers. Pathway to prosperity  Giorgi Salvaridze, a young entrepreneur from the picturesque village of Tskhemlari in Khelvachauri Municipality—home to Ajara's richest flora – turned his dream into a thriving eco-farming venture. Guided by a deep connection to his roots, Giorgi embraced two age-old crafts: beekeeping and winemaking. Starting with just a few beehives and a modest vineyard, he worked tirelessly to grow his enterprise.With support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the European Union, and UNDP, Giorgi received training and technical assistance for his beekeeping cooperative, “Putkara” and a diverse range of grapevines for his vineyard. Today, he produces a variety of honey, including rich Chestnut honey, and makes celebrated local wines such as Chkhaveri and Tsolikauri, quickly gaining in popularity.“We are grateful for projects like these in Machakheli Valley. Beekeeping and winemaking are more than a source of income; they show that positive change is possible, even in a small village,” Giorgi shares.Standing amidst the lush landscapes of his home, he recognizes that his work is not only building a business but nurturing a legacy that inspires others. “These projects bring new opportunities, improve well-being, and help keep people rooted in our community.”Giorgi’s entrepreneurial journey is only beginning. Among his plans is to develop agrotourism, inviting visitors to experience his village’s natural and cultural treasures. Following in his ancestors' footsteps in winemakingIn the heart of the Ajara mountains, where lush greenery meets the sky, a unique glamping experience and delicious wine await in the village of Chikuneti, located in the Khelvachauri municipality. The famous “Ilia's Marani” wine cellar, owned by Amiran Malakmadze, boasts a 10-century-long history.While still young, Amiran Malakmadze recognized the importance of preserving his family's winemaking tradition. He successfully restored his ancestors' cellar and carefully cared for maintaining the legacy of his ancestors and nurturing the historical site. UNDP assisted him in creating a wine degustation space and popularizing the site as a tourism destination. As Amiran told the UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq during his visit to the region, UNDP’s assistance inspired him to start a business in his village. His eco-farm is gradually expanding. It offers wine from rare grape varieties to Georgian and international visitors. With his son Ilia’s help, the family also runs the glamping cottages that provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Each accommodation is designed to harmonize with nature while offering modern amenities and delicious Ajarian cuisine.  Glamping and Ilias Wine Cellar together create an unforgettable experience in Ajara—a place where nature’s beauty intertwines with rich cultural heritage. It brings hope for a better future in this mountainous region."Ilia's Marani" has been granted the status of an immovable cultural heritage monument since 2018.  ------------Since the establishment of Machakhela National Park, UNDP provided technical assistance to small farmers in areas such as winemaking and beekeeping. Additionally, initiatives like a livestock insurance programme and installing electric fences have significantly reduced losses from predators, thereby supporting local agricultural practices. Thanks to UNDP support, energy-efficient stoves, and solar panels have been installed for households in the Machakhela National Park. Those interested in opening family guesthouses have been trained in touristic management and received start-up support. In 2022, with support from UNDP, a renovated exhibition hall opened in the heart of Machakhela National Park, showcasing the Park's rich history and unique nature. UNDP’s work in the Machakhela National Park is part of its wider assistance to Georgia in expanding access to green solutions and making environmental issues an integral part of development.  , filtered_html

Play is how young children learn and make sense of the world around them. While they are having fun, they are working on critical parts of their development like building motor, cognitive, social and emotional skills. But the power of play extends beyond early learning: it also plays a key role in building your child’s mental health – and yours too! Learn why making time for playtime is both a fun and healthy thing to do.Children who play regularly with their parents are less likely to develop anxiety, depression, aggression and sleep problems.Play helps to strengthen the bond between you and your childSharing in joyful moments of fun and learning helps bring children and their caregivers closer together. As your little one's first playmate, you have the ability to provide opportunities for learning and connection right at home. When you play together, you get to see the world from your child’s perspective.By providing your child with love, comfort and attention, you are laying the foundation for the development of emotional and social skills that support their mental health and future well-being. Play helps reduce stress levelsPlaying games, dancing and singing are great ways to relieve stress for both your child and you. When you’re enjoying fun moments and laughing together, your body releases endorphins that promote a feeling of well-being.Even short periods of play together can serve as a powerful reminder for adults of their ability to support their child, and gives you an opportunity to forget about work or other commitments.Research has also shown that making time for play even protects children from the negative impacts of prolonged exposure to stress. Long periods of stressful situations can affect a child’s physical and mental health. Play and positive, supportive relationships with adults can help buffer these effects. Play helps children process difficult emotionsWhen children are dealing with complex emotional issues, it often shows up in their play. Giving children space to play allows them to work through feelings such as pain, fear or loss while being able to still act like a child. Play gives them a way to express things they are struggling with that they don’t yet have the words to fully explain. By recreating painful events repeatedly through imaginative play, little ones are trying to understand the impact of what has happened. For example, if your child has witnessed two adults fighting, they may recreate this conflict with their dolls. Play helps to build confidenceSolving problems and coming up with creative solutions during a game or while working on a puzzle give children a sense of accomplishment and competence. When you take time to play with your child, your little one is learning that they are valued and fun to be around. It is important that you give your full attention during playtime and invest in the game you are playing together. Sharing in the experience together lets your child know that they are loved and important – so smile, get involved and enjoy every moment!
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UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia Didier Trebucq visited the Adjara Autonomous Republic from September 26 to September 27 to assess the progress of various initiatives and look at the opportunities and development needs in the region. During his visit, UN Resident Coordinator Trebucq met with the Chairperson of the Ajara AR Government, Tornike Rizhvadze, to discuss ongoing cooperation and opportunities for collaboration. He also met with the Health Minister, Nino Nizharadze, to discuss emerging opportunities to promote telemedicine. Meetings with civil society and religious community representatives were also held to explore their insights.  He attended an international conference on early childhood education in Batumi during the trip. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia, the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports of Adjara, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA Georgia), and UNICEF, in partnership with Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University.  The itinerary continued with a visit to the Machakhela National Park and surrounding highland villages. Here, he reviewed the advancements in eco-farming,  ecosystem conservation projects, and tourism. He also toured the Tech Park Batumi, where he interacted with young inventors showcasing their innovations.    , filtered_html

A neurologist by training, Dr Nato Shengelia now works as a primary health care (PHC) doctor in Georgia. She has received international recognition for her work as a passionate advocate for family medicine in the country. Dr Shengelia discovered her passion for family medicine after graduating from Tbilisi State Medical University, once she started actively engaging with patients. She was drawn to the all-encompassing nature of PHC, which allows physicians to take a comprehensive view of patients’ health throughout their lifetimes. She shares her insights on how to make PHC a more attractive career choice.“Georgia’s PHC system is currently weak, wages are meagre, which makes it unattractive for students to make a career in primary care and most people prefer to self-refer directly to specialists due to the lack of trust in family medicine,” she explains. However, Nato notes that the current reform by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs aims to address these challenges.In the framework of the ongoing PHC reform, the Ministry plans to add a social worker, a nurse-midwife and a psychologist to nursing teams in remote areas. Up to 40% of Georgia’s population live in rural areas (World Bank, 2022) and it is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. Ensuring access to health services is difficult in those hard-to-reach areas, and it is hard to recruit and retain health workers there. “The lack of nurses is particularly acute. In these remote areas, strengthening PHC services is an opportunity to deliver equal and high-quality primary health care for all,” says Nato.Promoting trustPrevention is key in PHC. Early diagnosis of disease decreases morbidity and mortality. “This includes the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and screenings, with a special focus on noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors like tobacco,” says Nato. It involves, “identifying the health condition, managing it and, if necessary, timely referral to the specialist,” she explains.Nato has been involved in various WHO projects, such as support and supervision for PHC facilities delivering virtual outpatient treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as improving management of diabetes and hypertension, setting telemedicine standards in PHC facilities and many others. All of which, she says, helped strengthen PHC in Georgia and deliver essential services.Weak PHC also results in a high financial burden for the population. Due to the unpopularity of family doctors, many patients prefer paying for a specialist. This results in high out-of-pocket payments and increased financial burden, which, in Georgia, is one of the highest among the countries of the WHO European Region. “More needs to be done to restore trust in family doctors and promote and popularize primary health care among the Georgian population,” Nato says.For her outstanding career in PHC, Nato was given the 5-star award for family doctors by the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Europe in 2024. This international recognition adds to her local success, and her ability to achieve this within Georgia’s challenging environment serves as an inspiration for future doctors. It demonstrates how improving access to quality care through PHC benefits patients and contributes to the sustainability of the entire health system.
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