Enhancing women entrepreneurship in AGRIculture in Georgia through targeted Vocational Education and Training

ongoing

Agriculture is a strategic sector in Georgia, employing over 50% of the workforce. However, challenges such as low labor productivity, limited access to technology, and gender disparities hinder its development. Women, particularly in rural areas, face barriers to entrepreneurship and employment, including a lack of training, career support, and business opportunities. The AgriVET Project aims to create a Georgian-European vocational education and training (VET) ecosystem to empower rural women in agriculture, agrifood, and agrotourism through entrepreneurship, green, and digital skills development. AgriVET will enhance VET accessibility, quality, and responsiveness, aligning with EU policies and Georgia’s economic priorities. Objectives of AgriVET: 1. Strengthen cooperation between VET providers, businesses, and stakeholders. 2. Provide vocational training, career counselling, and mentoring for rural women. 3. Develop entrepreneurial, green, and digital skills to foster innovation. 4. Engage the private sector in VET curriculum design and work-based training. 5. Enhance VET capacity through new tools and training programs. 6. Improve labor market relevance of VET education in agribusiness. Through an intervention spanning 36 months, implemented by 6 partners from Georgia, Lithuania, and Greece and structured into 7 Work Packages (WPs) AgriVET addresses key challenges in agriculture, vocational education, and gender inclusion in Georgia's rural areas. AgriVET integrates modern pedagogies, digital tools, and sustainability principles. It will provide women with practical entrepreneurial skills, facilitate networking and knowledge exchange, and improve VET institutions’ capacity to support rural economic development. AgriVET also incorporates green practices. By promoting entrepreneurship and gender inclusion, AgriVET contributes to Georgia’s socio-economic growth and aligns with EU strategies for education, sustainability, and economic development.