30 years, 30+ stories: ETF support to civil society and schools in Georgia

For decades, the ETF has been actively supporting Georgia in developing its education and training systems to promote human capital development in terms of learning and employability, through close cooperation with the EU Delegation to Georgia. The ETF's role includes providing policy advice to the European Commission, annual monitoring of policy progress and support to programmes such as Skills4Jobs implemented by the EU Delegation through technical assistance and policy advice.

A brand-new notable initiative is the first regional programme dedicated to education reform and skills development in the Eastern Partnership region. Launched in Turin in May last year, the €2.5 million programme founded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) aims to improve the efficiency, equity and quality of education systems in five countries, including Georgia. 

Georgia's active participation in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) Education Programme reflects its commitment to adopting international best practices, as demonstrated by the participation of a strong Georgian delegation in peer learning events on teacher development organised by the ETF in Finland and Estonia last September. 

However, challenges remain, particularly in vocational education and training (VET), where efforts are underway to promote private sector partnerships, internationalise provision and integrate VET pathways into secondary education. Ambitious reforms in general education aim to improve teacher development, make teaching more attractive as a career and empower schools to take decisions. The ETF's latest Torino Process report on Georgia highlights strengths in VET accessibility and labour market relevance, but identifies gaps in lifelong learning and employability outcomes, tackled by programmes such as the aforementioned Skills4Jobs.

A forthcoming study on civil society engagement in human capital development further highlights the role of non-formal education and community-driven initiatives in addressing these challenges. Following a technical survey, the ETF will use the results as input for a forthcoming report to advocate for the recognition of the role that civil society organisations play in skills development, lifelong learning and employment in Georgia, and ultimately to involve them in its own activities.

ETF assistance to skills development for the labour market in Georgia

The Skills4Jobs programme, a flagship EU initiative worth €48.85 million, has had a transformative impact on improving skills development and employability in Georgia. Since its launch in 2019, the programme has addressed critical labour market challenges, particularly in regions of Georgia where depopulation and migration to urban areas persists.

Nika Kochishvili, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to Georgia, highlighted that "the ETF has been a strategic partner, deeply involved in the design of the programme, providing support and conducting mid-term evaluation. Our joint field visits and close cooperation in the negotiations between the EU Delegation, the European Commission and the Georgian government ensured that the programme was aligned with labour market priorities and the real needs of the population”.

As Nicholas Cendrowicz, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Georgia, pointed out at an event in Tbilisi last September to mark the end of the second phase of the programme, "the EU has been supporting skills development and employment initiatives in Georgia for the past 16 years. Education, skills development, and their alignment with labour market needs are essential to reduce poverty, boost economic prosperity, and create the conditions for sustainable and inclusive economic growth"

"The EU’s effort not only enhances decent work opportunities but also addresses the root causes of irregular migration. The EU remains committed to allocating at least 20% of its development assistance to social inclusion and human development”, Cendrowicz added.

The programme overcame the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting many activities online, with the ETF providing consistent guidance throughout.

"During the pandemic, the ETF's input was crucial as we had to revise our baselines and targets while maintaining progress," Kochishvili explained.

Despite these adjustments, the programme exceeded expectations in several areas, with nine projects successfully implemented between 2019 and 2023. Kochishvili highlighted some of the programme's key achievements, such as "the number of young people aged 15-24 enrolled in formal VET programmes increased by more than 10% in the regions of Georgia compared to 2017, and the employment rate of retrained jobseekers increased by more than half."

The programme's impact also extended to vulnerable groups, with a 20% increase in the number of VET students with special needs since 2017, and a 6 percentage point reduction in the NEET (not in education, employment or training) rate among young people aged 15-24. Highlighting these milestones, Kochishvili said "the ETF's support has been instrumental in bridging gaps and ensuring that civil society organisations are engaged to effectively address regional disparities while targeting the most disadvantaged people and communities. In general, the ETF has been a reliable partner of the EU Delegation to Georgia for over 15 years in making the link between skills development and employment". 

ETF engagement with Georgian leading schools

An inclusive approach to education is also a priority for Ekaterine Dgebaudze, a motivated headteacher of the European School of Tbilisi, whom we met at the recent EaP Education Programme peer learning events in Helsinki and Tallinn.

"One thing I'm proud of in our system is inclusive education, a direction that started a few years ago" and in which Dgebaudze was a pioneer, responsible at state level for developing inclusive education within the legal framework of education. 

"We found that education should be flexible and inclusive for all students, not only on paper, but also in practice: in 2018, the law on general education recognised special teachers as professional teachers - a great success after years of advocacy, but also difficult in the first phase of implementation. But step by step, more and more teachers understood how different students' needs are: a person with a physical disability has different needs than a person with ADHD. And we have supported very steady progress in this area", Dgebaudze added.

Dgebaudze’s school, a reference for EU standards in Eastern Europe, implements two types of curriculum: the Georgian programme and the IB (International Baccalaureate). The latter makes it possible to set an example for other schools from the Eastern Partnership countries in the peer exchange, while at the same time ensuring high-quality standards for the Georgian curricula. 

A forward-looking approach to education is also a hallmark of the LEPL Modusi. Building on a legacy that dates back to 1958, it is the largest provider of vocational education and training in the Kvemo Kartli region and has adapted to the needs of a modern economy through reforms, renovations and robust industry partnerships. With 24 diploma programmes and a strong emphasis on entrepreneurial learning, the school is committed to fostering creativity and innovation among its students. "We support students in implementing their ideas, launching start-ups and working with stakeholders such as the Georgian Agency for Innovation and Technology," said Nino Kavtaradze, Director of the school, which is part of the ETF's Entrepreneurial centres of vocational excellence (CoVEs).

"With its unique role in developing pedagogy, the ETF is one of the biggest supporters of vocational education in Georgia. The concept of CoVEs introduced a whole new approach to the Georgian VET system. The study tours and workshops organised by the ETF were truly inspiring and informative, providing us with valuable insights into how other countries in the European Union and neighbouring regions are tackling challenges and achieving success," Kavtaradze said. 

Reflective practices such as empathy mapping and stakeholder engagement have fostered deeper connections between schools, businesses and communities. "We see the ETF as a bridge that connects us not only internationally, but also locally," concluded Kavtaradze. With the ETF acting as a gateway to glocal expertise, Georgian schools like Modusi are thriving, laying the foundations for a skilled workforce and stronger economic development across the country.