Program presentation event was attended by the First Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Khanishvili, the Director of Rural Development Agency, Mr. Davit Tsitlidze, the Director of Forest Sector Promotion Project “ECO.Georgia”, Mr. Luts Yarchinsky and the First Deputy State Commissioner of Kakheti region, Mr. Platon Kalmakhelidze.

“For the Government of Georgia, the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, the forest reform is an important priority. Co-financing of energy-efficient stoves is the part of the mentioned reform that will help to reduce the pressure over the forest, develop the briquette production and create new workplaces” - the First Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Khanishvili said. 

According to the statements of the Director of Forest Sector Promotion Project “ECO.Georgia”, Mr. Luts Yarchinsky “the new program will afford the population of the region the opportunity to purchase the energy-efficient stoves through co-financing. Within the scopes of the project, 30% of the cost of the energy-efficient stoves is finance for the population as a subsidy, but mentioned sum should not overcome 300 GEL. It is noteworthy that using the energy-efficient stoves the fuel cost for each family will be saved up to 50%. 

Co-financing program for energy-efficient stoves is carried out within the frameworks of the joint project of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) “Supporting the implementation of forest sector reform in Georgia – ECO.Georgia”. 

11 energy-efficient stoves from 5 manufacturers were introduced at the program presentation event. The event was attended by local population and representatives of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and program implementing agencies.