The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in partnership with Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and civil society organizations, ‘Black Sea Eco Academy’ and ‘Hydroc’, is supporting 100 high-risk communities across Georgia to better prepare for climate-related disasters.
Community-based projects cover eleven river basins, including Alazani, Chorokhi, Enguri, Iori, Khobistskali, Khrami/Ktsia, Kintrishi, Mtkvari, Natanebi, Rioni, and Supsa.
Through this initiative, local communities are identifying immediate climate threats, developing community-based disaster risk management plans, and implementing practical measures to prevent disasters where possible and reduce their impact if and when they happen.
This effort is part of a nationwide climate program supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the Government of Georgia. The program aims to strengthen the country’s ability to withstand climate hazards while safeguarding people, infrastructure, and the economy.
“At the heart of climate resilience are people. When communities understand their risks and take action, they can protect lives, livelihoods, and their future,” said Douglas Webb, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia.
Climate Action Starts Local
By the end of May 2026, 50 communities in western Georgia will have completed their disaster risk reduction (DRR) plans and begun implementing tailored, community-led measures. Blending infrastructure improvements with bioengineering and nature-based solutions, these interventions respond directly to local climate risks.
Ongoing activities include cleaning river channels, constructing small-scale gabions, protective banks and backfills, installing drainage channels and culverts, and planting deep-rooted trees and shrubs to stabilise riverbanks and slopes.
In eastern Georgia, similar activities will be implemented in 50 additional communities, with all works scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
Each community-based DRR project is coordinated with local councils established in all 100 target communities. Funding and technical assistance are provided through the UNDP-led climate program.
Wherever available, community-level plans are aligned with municipal emergency management plans, strengthening coordination and improving overall resilience to climate-driven hazards.
Building Climate Resilient Georgia
Georgia is among the countries supported by the GCF in addressing climate change through comprehensive climate programs. This partnership presents a unique opportunity to develop systemic, long-term approaches to climate resilience, drawing on global experience and leveraging international climate finance mechanisms.
Across Eastern Europe, Georgia joins eight other countries (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) that benefit from GCF support. Each GCF-funded program is tailored to national and local contexts, ensuring that climate solutions respond to specific risks and development priorities.
In Georgia, the GCF-supported program plays a key role in reducing the risk of climate-induced disasters, strengthening national climate strategies, and protecting both people and the economy from the growing impacts of climate change.
In addition to GCF financing, the program is co-financed by the Government of Georgia, with continued support from Switzerland and a six-year contribution (2020–2025) from Sweden. The total programme budget amounts to up to US$74 million, of which US$38 million is provided by the Government of Georgia and US$36 million by the GCF, Sweden, and Switzerland combined.
The Government of Georgia, through the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, leads this nationwide effort. UNDP is responsible for implementing program activities funded by the GCF and other international partners, ensuring effective delivery and coordination across all components.
More information on Georgia’s climate program is available on the UNDP website.
By Team GT
