April 11, 2012
Georgia
An armed conflict in 2008 separated South Ossetia from the rest of Georgia. The conflict also divided the people living on both sides of the border, not just geographically. Caritas Czech Republic and local organization ABCO Georgia help to restore a sense of mutual confidence between the Georgian and Ossetian population in the border region by establishing a joint venture.
Thanks to the UNDP project and European Union funds, the Association of Fruit Growers was founded in the Lamiskana village. It received equipment and storage facilities for fruit and marmalade production. Lamiskana is located near the border of South Ossetia and individual members of the association come from the Georgian and Ossetian villages. In addition to improving the economic situation of families of fruit growers, the project also promotes cooperation between the villages that have been divided by conflict. Cooperation helps to restore trust and good relations between local residents.
After the first year of operation of the Association, it has managed to sell three tons of fruit. Thanks to the store with a freezer, it was possible to sell fruit after the season had ended at more competitive prices. The Association was even able to distribute it to one of the largest Georgian retailers called “Populi". The Association uses the lower quality fruit to produce different kinds of marmalades under the brand called "Grandma's gift." Thanks to mass production of fruit and its sales, the small farmers who are members of the Association will gain higher incomes, which in many cases their whole family depends on
Encounters between the two nations in order to improve the economic situation of people living on both sides of the border is a concrete example of the importance of development of peaceful relations and mutual understanding. "Ossetian or Georgian, there is no difference. Growers bring their fruit, which I buy from them. Register the number. Once you I sell it, I will pay each their share. This year we have started at the time of grapes harvest. Everything is sold. Nothing is left. Otherwise, our region is rich in particular apricots and apples," says Association President, energetic Verik.
At the beginning, the growers and the current members of the Association created a business planwhich determine their future direction and needs. The Association received the cooling equipment and facilities for marmalades production, which will be launched in the coming weeks. The plan is plum, apricot, raspberry and dogwood flavors so far.
Caritas Czech Republic previously worked together with a local partner, ABCO Georgia. In the period 2008–2010, they supported small farmers in the regions of Samtskhe/Javakheti, Martvili and Guria. The current joint project "Support for joint economic activities of the population currently occupied Akhalgori district and adjacent districts of Georgia" is administered by UNDP under the COBERM program, a mechanism used to support short-term initiatives in Georgia, which have a demonstrable effect on building trust within communities divided by the conflict.
