With the Support of the European Union, BTU Launches a Project to Empower Women Agripreneurs

With funding from the European Union and the participation of BTU, a new three-year project titled Enhancing Women Entrepreneurship in AGRIculture in Georgia through targeted Vocational Education and Training (AgriVET) has officially launched to support women entrepreneurs working in the agricultural sector.

The project aims to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship in Georgia’s agricultural sector through the development of the vocational education and training (VET) system. AgriVET addresses key challenges in the sector, including low labor productivity, limited access to technology, and gender inequality. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting women living in rural areas, who often face limited opportunities for professional development, career guidance, and business growth.

The project envisions the creation of a Georgian-European vocational education ecosystem that will foster the development of entrepreneurial, green, and digital skills in the fields of agriculture, agrifood, and agrotourism. Its target audience includes women from different regions of Georgia who are interested in starting or expanding entrepreneurial activities in agriculture, the agrifood sector, and agrotourism. Within the framework of AgriVET, cooperation between VET providers, businesses, and other relevant stakeholders will be strengthened, while private sector engagement in curriculum development and work-based learning will also increase. The project will run for three years.

As part of the initiative, women living in rural areas will benefit from vocational training, career counseling, and mentoring programs. At the same time, the institutional capacity of vocational education providers will be strengthened through the introduction of new learning tools and programs, helping reduce the mismatch between educational outcomes and labor market needs in the agribusiness sector.

By integrating modern pedagogical approaches, digital tools, and sustainability principles, AgriVET will contribute to women’s economic empowerment, the development of rural regions, and Georgia’s broader socio-economic growth, in line with European Union strategies on education and sustainable development.