This ETF assessment offers an analysis of evidence provided in the national Torino Process report for Georgia (MoESCS, 2019), which was compiled by the Torino Process national coordinators (Irina Tserodze, Marika Zakareishvili and Anastasia Kitiashvili) and endorsed by the national stakeholders, following a standard analytical framework (national reporting framework). The assessment summarises the main challenges in developing and using human capital in the country and discusses how education, in particular VET, and labour market policies can contribute to their resolution.
This ETF assessment comes at an important point as the country prepares for the next Eastern Partnership multiannual programme. Launched in 2009 as a joint policy initiative, the Eastern Partnership aims to deepen and strengthen relations between the European Union (EU), its Member States and its six Eastern neighbours: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. In May 2020, all six Eastern Partnership countries and the EU will launch the third phase of the initiative and agree a new, ambitious work plan, revising the 20 Deliverables for 2020. It will aim at bringing tangible benefits to the lives of citizens across the region. In this context, cooperation between the EU and its six Eastern Partnership countries will focus on working towards stronger economies, stronger governance, stronger connectivity and stronger societies.
The assessment process included an extensive phase of desk research from existing information and data sources, responses to a standardised questionnaire (the national reporting framework) and the preparation of an Issues Paper containing an overview of themes to be discussed in the present report. These were then finalised by Ummuhan Bardak in consultation with the ETF country and thematic teams responsible for Georgia. An advanced draft of the ETF assessment was circulated to national stakeholders and international partners and discussed at a consultation meeting to verify the findings and recommendations.
Like other ETF assessments, this paper is not meant to be exhaustive. The national report covers a broad selection of issues around human capital development and use, while the focus here is on a number of challenges, which the ETF recommends addressing as a matter of priority.