Social Investment Fund Project (SIF)

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The Social Investment Fund Project (GSIF) aims to support vulnerable groups among the Georgian population by improving access to basic social and economic services on a sustainable basis through existing infrastructure. GSIF mobilizes public and private resources and channels them through small investments. The project's secondary objectives are to a) strengthen the capacity of private, small-scale contractors and build the capacity of communities; b) generate employment; and c) build greater capacity for policymakers to monitor and analyze poverty trends. The project has four components: 1) Rehabilitating small-scale infrastructure, about 400 microprojects, including civil works improving water supply, sanitation, solid waste management; and rehabilitating local clinics, primary schools, and feeder roads; 2) Providing equipment, vehicles, salaries, operating costs, training, technical assistance; and financing for monitoring and evaluating implementation; 3) Building the capacity of small contractors to prepare bids and execute work contracts; providing training and technical assistance to communities; financing contracts with individuals, firms, and nongovernmental organizations to provide others with technical assistance; and funding regional launch workshops; and 4) Financially supporting the statistics department's (SDS) budget for conducting living standards monitoring surveys (LSM); and offering it technical assistance.