A series of multi-stakeholder RECP forums is the main means for awareness raising and RECP domestication process. Through the forums the case for RECP is debated and enriched by sharing experiences and perspectives, from enterprises, governments, and civil society at large. This process is further augmented through engagement of media and active distribution of key experiences, statements and messages (written, video) through different information channels, including web site, social media, media statements, etc.
Six consecutive forums were held in the framework of the project in 2015 and 2016. Four of the forums were organized in Tbilisi in cooperation with the Georgian Employers Association; RECP forums were also organized in Zugdidi and Kaspi in cooperation with the respective municipal governments. The forums’ participants included Georgian SMEs, national and local governments, environmental authorities, academic circles, nongovernmental organizations and media.
Participants of the forums discussed the RECP concept and its approaches, project experience gained through the implementation of RECP demonstration assessments in Georgian SMEs. Discussion topics included the six environment/resource impact areas:
• Energy efficiency
• Materials efficiency
• Water efficiency
• Emissions reduction
• Waste reduction
• Effluent reduction
The forums also discussed the benefits, opportunities for and barriers to nationwide application of RECP practices in Georgian SMEs. The discussions were facilitated by the project Advocacy Expert and the National Project Coordinator.
The UNIDO’s RECP Demonstration Project in the frames of its RECP Domestication Component organized a sequential Forum on Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) on 27 May, 2016 in Mtskheta City so that to promote green economic development and among them RECP in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region. The event was organized in cooperation and with the kind support of the Governor’s Office of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region.
The RECP Forum was attended by representatives of small and medium sized enterprises (SME) operating in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region and the Governor’s Office. Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry was invited by the Governor’s Office and participated in the event as well.
UNIDO RECP Demonstration Project organized a Forum on Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) on 21 April, 2016 in Zugdidi city to promote the RECP in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region.
The event was organized with the kind support of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Regional Office of the Public Defender of Georgia, which made available the meeting room for the project.
The RECP Forum was attended by representatives of small and medium sized enterprises (SME) of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region, regional and Zugdidi municipal governments, non-governmental organizations, and academia. Representatives of the Georgian Employers Association, organization which cooperates with the project to promote RECP among SME across the country, also attended the forum.
The National Project Coordinator Mr. Malkhaz Adeishvili informed the audience about the Eap GREEN Programme and UNIDO RECP Demonstration Project. The Project expert in RECP Advocacy and Outreach Mrs. Manana Petashvili made a presentation of RECP methods and approaches, and a case on RECP measures implemented in the frames of the UNIDO RECP Demonstration Project. GTU Lecturer and RECP Expert Mr. Jimsher Kerkadze presented RECP assessment outcomes for one of the demonstration enterprises.
The Forum participants demonstrated an interest toward the RECP Demonstration Project. Challenges faced by SME in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region and development opportunities were discussed by the participants.
The event was covered by local media. Interviews taken with Mr. Malkhaz Adeishvili, UNIDO RECP Project National Coordinator was broadcasted on TV Channel Odishi, and news on the event were published on the web-pages of the radio-channel Atinati and online newspaper Zugdidelebi.ge.
The event was covered by local TV Media: Odishi.ge
The UNIDO’s RECP Demonstration Project in the frames of its RECP Domestication Component organized a sequential Forum on Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) on 18 March, 2016 in Tbilisi City. This forum was devoted to ambient air protection and prevention of air pollution from the industrial sector.
The event was organized in cooperation with Georgian Employers Association (GEA), and attended by representatives of small and medium sized enterprises (SME), international projects supporting Georgia to improve environmental management and RECP experts. A representative of the Ambient Air Protection Service under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia Mrs. Nino Obolashvili was invited to make a presentation on the national legal framework for ambient air protection and changes anticipated in near future to fulfill EU-Georgia Association Agreement.
The Project expert in RECP Advocacy and Outreach Mrs. Manana Petashvili made a presentation on some opportunities for the reduction of air emissions by industrial companies, that were revealed through the RECP Assessment implemented in the frames of the UNIDO RECP Demonstration Project.
The Forum participants vividly discussed current challenges faced by industrial sector and especially SME so that to meet national air law; issues related to communication gaps between entrepreneurs and governmental structure, and ways to overcome them were also the topic.
The event was covered by Georgian TV Media. Interviews taken with Mr. Malkhaz Adeishvili, UNIDO RECP Project National Coordinator in Georgia, and Mr. Mikheil Kordzakhia, Vice President of GEA were broadcasted on Iberia TV Channel.
The UNIDO’s RECP Demonstration Project in the frames of its RECP Domestication Component organized a Forum on Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP). The event was held on 17 December, 2015 in Tbilisi and was devoted to RECP methods and approaches with a focus on efficient use of water resources.
The Forum was organized in cooperation with the Georgian Technical University (GTU). The target audience for the third RECP forum was lecturers and students of Environmental Engineering and Ecology Department of the Chemical Technology and Metallurgy Faculty of the Technical University. The goal of the selection of the target audience was to promote RECP in academic sector and to raise awareness on RECP methodology and approaches among future professionals of the environmental protection sector.
The National Project Coordinator Mr. Malkhaz Adeishvili informed the audience about the Eap GREEN Programme and RECP Demonstration Project.The Project expert in RECP Advocacy and Outreach Mrs. Manana Petashvili made a presentation of RECP methods and approaches, and various successful cases on RECP measures implemented by small and medium sized enterprises with the assistance of the UNIDO RECP Demonstration Project. Energy Efficiency Expert Mr. Nick Javshanashvili made presentation on energy efficiency and RECP Clubs; GTU Lecturer and RECP Expert Mr. Jimsher Kerkadze presented RECP assessment outcomes for one of the project enterprises.
The forum participants demonstrated interest towards the project activities and RECP in general. They actively discussed challenges faced by SME in Georgia and green development opportunities for them.
The UNIDO’s RECP Demonstration Project in the frames of its RECP Domestication Component organized a Forum on Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP). The event was held on 8 December, 2015 in Tbilisi and was devoted to waste minimization and its effective management in the industrial sector.
The Forum was organized in cooperation with Georgian Employers Association (GEA). The representatives of small and medium sized enterprises (SME), international projects supporting Georgia to improve waste management and RECP experts attended the event. A representative of the Ministry of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia Mrs. Irma Gurguliani was invited to make a presentation on recent changes in the national legal framework for waste management. Particularly, she presented major aspects of the new Waste Code adopted in 2015, and explained to the audience responsibilities and opportunities for business sector emerging with the adoption of the Code and related regulations. The presentation accentuated legal requirements regarding the Extended Producer Responsibility for managing specific types of waste, responsibilities of central and local governments and their role in waste management, opportunities for waste recycling, etc.
The Project expert in RECP Advocacy and Outreach Mrs. Manana Petashvili made a presentation of successful cases of waste minimization in Georgian SME implemented by industrial companies with the assistance of the UNIDO RECP Demonstration Project.
First Forum on Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) was organized on 6 November, 2015 in Tbilisi under the UNIDO RECP Demonstration Project in Georgia which is a component of EaP GREEN Program of the European Commission. The Forum was organised in collaboration with Georgian Employers’ Association (GEA). Objective of the meeting was to promote domestication and uptake of RECP concept in the country.
Representatives of governmental organizations, busyness sector, academia and civil society attended the Forum. Specific aim of the first RECP Forum was to introduce to the meeting participants: Energy Efficiency issues in Georgia; Opportunities and barriers to Energy Efficiency in SME; Findings and results of RECP assessments undertaken under the project in 10 demonstration Georgian companies in terms of energy efficiency.
