Georgia
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to see examples
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European Commission assistance to Georgia mainly takes the form of Annual Action Programmes under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). Other funding sources are the thematic assistance programmes, concentrating for example on human rights or civil society.
The EU wants to support the development of an increasingly close relationship with Georgia in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and based on the objectives defined in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and the EU-Georgia ENP Action Plan.
EU assistance focuses in particular on poverty reduction and social reform, support for democratic development, rule of law and governance, as well as on support for economic development and for Georgia's conflict zones Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Overcoming conflict
The European Commission, through its Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), has allocated €6 million in humanitarian aid in August 2008 and an additional €2 million in December 2008 for vulnerable people affected by the conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation in August 2008.
The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia has been deployed on 1 October 2008. The EU has also appointed a Special Representative for the crisis. A donors conference has taken place on 22 October 2008, sending a strong signal of support.
The Commission pledged a comprehensive assistance package of up to €500 million over three years. Nearly €120 million have been made available already in 2008, mostly for the benefit of IDPs 
[518 KB] .
In January 2009, a Joint Statement on a Framework for increased EC Financial Assistance 2008-2010 to Georgia was signed between the European Commission and Georgia.
A Commission-funded rehabilitation programme is also active in support of the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian zones of conflict. The objective of this programme is to contribute to the rehabilitation of basic economic and social infrastructure and to improve the living conditions of locals.
Report on post-conflict assistance to Georgia (July 2009) [10 MB]
Report on assistance to Georgia (December 2009) [82 KB]
Supporting government reform efforts
The EU is keen to support the Georgian reform process which aims to fight corruption, establish democratic institutions, generate more respect for the rule of law, reduce poverty and secure sustained economic growth.
The Annual Action Programme 2008 contributes to strengthening the rule of law and human rights protection, focussing on reform of the Criminal Justice System with a €16 million assistance programme.
Under the Annual Action Programme 2007 , €16 million are foreseen to support public financereforms.
The Georgian European Policy and Legal Advice Centre (GEPLAC), funded by the EU, renders high-level policy and legal advice to the Government and the Parliament of Georgia on a broad range of issues related to economic, legal and institutional reform in the context of the implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Georgia and the European Communities and their Member States.
The European Union provides support from 2008-2010 to the Georgian Public Defender's Office with a project worth €1,4 million aimed at enhancing the role and independence of the Public Defender's institution.
The EU has also granted €5 million to introduce Primary Health Care reforms 
in the Kvemo Kartli, Samegrelo, Kakheti, Imereti, Adjara, Shida Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions of Georgia. The activities started in February 2008 and will be implemented by the Georgia Health and Social Projects’ Implementation Center (GHSPIC) during the period of three years.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice receives support, and in the domain of human rights, the EU funds a project for the prevention of torture.
Twinning cooperation
In support to the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the EC and Georgia which entered into force in 1999 and in line with the EU-Georgia ENP Action Plan endorsed in November 2006, Twinning has been made accessible to Georgia from early 2007, in order to accelerate the administrative reform.
Reducing poverty, improving communities
Over the past few years, the European Commission has provided comprehensive support to the Georgian government as it strives to improve primary health care and reduce rural poverty. The Market & Social Linkages Programme for example aimed to foster social and economic development in the Akhalkalaki District of the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region of Georgia.
The EC fights drug abuse by supporting the South Caucasus Anti-Drug Programme.
The "Reproductive Health Initiative for Youth in the South Caucasus" targets young people aged 15-24, providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services.
A project establishing two radio stations serves the needs and promotes the rights of ethnic and religious minority groups in the ethnic enclaves of Ninotsminda (Javakheti) and Marneuli (Kvemo Kartli).
Supporting education, protecting the environment
The EU supported the opening of a Centre for European Studies at Tbilisi State University. Funding has also been provided for Georgia’s participation in the EU’s TEMPUS Programme for cooperation in higher education. The new Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window for mobility of students and academic staff will also be open to Georgians.
The project "Environmental collaboration for the Black Sea" contributes to the sustainable development of the Black Sea Basin, mainly through prevention and reduction of pollution.
The EU contributes to the protection of the environment in the Kura river basin.
More information
The EU's cooperation strategy in Georgia is driven by the European Neighbourhood Policy and the European External Action Service.
More details about EU relations with Georgia are available on the relevant European Commission Delegation website. For trade relations, see the Trade Directorate-General’s website.