Georgia

Biosphere Reserves as model regions for sustainable development – capacity development for coordinated and effective management of the Three Alazani Rivers Biosphere Reserve

The Michael Succow Foundation (MSF) has been closely involved from the very beginning in the establishment of the first biosphere reserve (BR) in Georgia. The process started with a feasibility study, followed by a capacity-building phase, and ultimately led to a project supporting the nomination process for the Three Alazani Rivers Biosphere Reserve in Georgia. Following approval by the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, the site was successfully included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) in June 2022.

In the following years, MSF continued its work to strengthen the newly recognized biosphere reserve. To this end, a project titled “Biosphere Reserves as Model Regions for Sustainable Development – Capacity Development for Coordinated and Effective Management of the Three Alazani Rivers Biosphere Reserve in Georgia” was implemented in cooperation with the Georgian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA) and the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (RECC), and was successfully completed at the end of 2025. The project was supported within the programme “Policy Dialogue and Knowledge Management on Climate Change Strategies” (DIAPOL-CE), implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), with support from the International Climate Initiative (IKI).

The main objective of the project was to raise awareness of the biosphere reserve concept and strengthen the capacities of the biosphere reserve administration and other key stakeholders. This was aimed at ensuring effective, coordinated, and gender-responsive management of the biosphere reserve and enabling it to fulfill its functions and objectives in contributing to the region’s sustainable development.

The project achieved several important and tangible results:

• Development and implementation of a comprehensive training concept by MSF, including specialized workshops for local stakeholders to strengthen participatory and effective management structures
• Opening of an information space for the biosphere reserve in the Akhmeta Municipality City Hall in December 2025, improving public access to information and raising awareness among local communities
• Production and installation of road signs within the biosphere reserve area as well as information boards for visitors
• Development of informational and promotional materials to support public outreach
• Creation and launch of the official website of the Three Alazani Rivers Biosphere Reserve as a digital platform for information and networking

Another important focus was the support of sustainable local initiatives. Local entrepreneurs and committed community representatives presented projects implemented through a GIZ-supported small grants programme. These initiatives ranged from environmentally friendly innovations to the further development of traditional, sustainable economic activities, demonstrating how the biosphere reserve creates concrete benefits for the region.

The project concluded with several expert events, including a technical workshop in Tbilisi on the co-management of protected areas and biosphere reserves. The workshop brought together representatives of Georgia’s two biosphere reserves, other protected areas, and relevant institutions to discuss integrated governance approaches, analyze regional challenges, and strengthen long-term institutional cooperation.

With the successful completion of the project, key foundations have been established for coordinated, participatory, and long-term sustainable management of the Three Alazani Rivers Biosphere Reserve.