GREEN Caucasus - Enhancing Green Rural Economy and Energy in Republic of Georgia
Research Location:
Implemented: Republic of Georgia
Conservation Partners:
CENN
Student Researcher
Madelyn Atkins, Major: Biology; Major: Environment and SustainabilityFaculty Mentor
Dr. Daniel MaliniakProject Description
Madelyn Atkins '25 is working with CENN to explore strategies to reduce poverty, improve livelihoods, promote climate resilience for vulnerable rural communities and increase the conservation of threatened forest ecosystems in rural Georgian communities.
This project is dedicated to addressing a multitude of critical objectives, including poverty reduction, livelihood improvement, climate resilience enhancement for vulnerable rural communities and the conservation of endangered forest ecosystems within rural communities in Georgia. Georgia, like many developing nations, faces the challenge of balancing the imperative for economic growth with the anthropogenic pressures exerted on its forests.
Madelyn will work with Dr. Maliniak and partners at CENN to support the broader GREEN Caucasus Initiative. Madelyn will gain insights into the functioning of state institutions at central and local levels, and identify effective tools and mechanisms to facilitate intersectoral cooperation, participatory decision-making, and the implementation of green budgeting for rural development activities (focusing on sustainable utilization of forest resources).
The goals of the project are: 1. Enhance Conservation GIS capabilities by mapping forested areas to enhance the availability of information regarding the regulations governing these rural communities. 2. Facilitate a deeper understanding among farmers and the private sector to better understand sustainable forest product markets and what incentives exist to encourage commercial utilization. 3. Empower women and girls, particularly those from rural backgrounds, to diversify their income sources through sustainable utilization of forest resources. 4. Strengthen the capacity of youth, vulnerable groups, and civil society to actively engage in environmental advocacy, social activism, Independent Forest Monitoring, and Confidence-Building Measures in support of their conservation goals.
