Georgia’s agricultural and vocational education sectors reached an important milestone with the official launch of AgriVET, the country’s first mobile application dedicated to agricultural vocational education and training (VET), and the presentation of the new Green Glossary, a curated terminology guide supporting sustainability-focused education and practices. The event, organized within the wider “Inclusive Growth through Sustainable and Green Business Practices in Georgia” project, gathered representatives of the European Union, World Vision Georgia, the Georgian Farmers’ Association, and the Energy Efficiency Centre Georgia. The presentation of the App was held as part of the European Union’s Green Diplomacy Weeks and was also attended by the representatives of VET institutions, colleges, partner organisations, and other actors of the sector.
The day opened with welcoming remarks from Denis Reiss, Programme Officer for Sustainable Food Systems at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia; Maka Tatuashvili, Operations and Programme Manager of World Vision Georgia; and Tamar Toria, Executive Director of the Georgian Farmers’ Association. Their messages set the stage for a series of presentations delivered by the project’s coordinators and experts, highlighting achievements to date and demonstrating newly developed digital tools that aim to transform access to agricultural education.
About the Project
Georgia continues to face challenges related to unsustainable land use, environmental pressures, and insufficient modern agricultural technologies. Nearly 35% of agricultural land is undergoing degradation, a result of soil mismanagement and broader environmental risks. At the same time, major sectors, including transportation, construction, energy, and agriculture, remain key contributors to national greenhouse gas emissions.
Recognizing these challenges, Georgia has outlined sustainability and resource management as national priorities in both the 2021–2027 Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy and the 2021–2025 SME Development Strategy. These frameworks highlight the importance of green skills, modern vocational education, and sustainable technologies as essential elements for long-term resilience.
The project “Inclusive Growth through Sustainable and Green Business Practices in Georgia” is designed precisely around these needs. This bold initiative is funded by the European Union and the Austrian Development Agency, and implemented jointly by World Vision Austria, World Vision Georgia, the Georgian Farmers’ Association, and the Energy Efficiency Centre Georgia. The project focuses on agriculture, construction, renewable energy, energy efficiency, SME support, and vocational education covering Imereti, Kakheti, Adjara (Batumi), and Tbilisi.
Its overarching goal is to contribute to inclusive and sustainable development for existing and future enterprises, with particular emphasis on strengthening green skills and introducing environmentally responsible business practices.
AgriVET: A New Digital Hub for Agricultural Skills and Careers
The highlight of the event was the introduction of AgriVET, the first agricultural vocational education mobile application in Georgia, which marks a major step forward in the digital transformation of the sector and supports the transition toward greener and more sustainable agricultural practices.
The platform integrates:
- Access to all current agricultural VET programs
- An AgroLibrary with research materials, books, publications, sectoral studies, and the Green Glossary
- A virtual learning environment through online courses and modules
- Employment opportunities through vacancies and internships
- Distance-based trainings, seminars, workshops, and quizzes
- Useful external links to national and international agricultural and vocational platforms
Tamar Toria, Executive Director of the Georgian Farmers’ Association, explained: “Today we are proud to present AgriVET – Georgia’s first mobile application that unifies agricultural vocational education and career development opportunities in a single digital space. The platform is designed to support the sustainable development of the agricultural sector, strengthen it with a qualified workforce, and continuously monitor labour-market needs. AgriVET serves both individuals seeking agricultural VET education and employment, registering as Applicants, and companies looking to recruit skilled professionals, registering as Employers.
AgriVET provides access to all active VET programs in agriculture and is linked to AgroSkills, a distance-learning and non-formal education platform in the agrarian sector, as well as AgroJobs, the national job portal for the agricultural workforce. The app also includes an AgroLibrary with educational materials, research documents, and the Green Glossary. In addition, users can access online seminars, quizzes, and a range of useful external resources. Through its dual-profile design and green-skills focus, AgriVET bridges agricultural vocational education with real labor-market needs.’’
Download the AgriVET mobile application:
The Green Glossary
Alongside the app, the event also showcased the Green Glossary, a structured compendium of terminology essential for modern agriculture, sustainability, and energy efficiency. The glossary is integrated into the AgriVET platform, ensuring that users not only learn skills but also understand the technical language guiding green transformation.
The glossary was created by World Vision Georgia through collaboration between experts, partner organizations, and sector representatives. Roundtable discussions, terminology reviews, and content refinement ensured that the final result would be a practical resource for vocational students, educators, SMEs, and sector organizations.
Liana Garibashvili, Project Key Expert at the Energy Efficiency Centre Georgia, commented on her role: “Working with World Vision Georgia and the Georgian Farmers’ Association on the Green Glossary was a meaningful experience. We held a round table, reviewed terminology in detail, and I contributed information cards and structural guidance based on my background in energy efficiency. I am glad this project is happening, it brings real, practical tools to the sectors that need them most.”
By standardizing definitions across related fields, the Green Glossary helps lay the foundations for coherent and accessible education in sustainable practice.
Awareness-raising and promotion of VET education
While AgriVET and the Green Glossary represent digital innovations, the project also focuses heavily on strengthening education itself, both in content and public perception.
The project team has been developing training modules and guidelines across multiple fields, including organics, laboratory work in aquaculture, and energy audit practices. Professors and teachers, from the Technical University’s Thermal Energy, Energy Efficient Technologies and Energy Audit Department, have already undergone the training-of-trainer sessions, allowing them advance their qualifications and integrate green approaches in their teaching.
At the same time, awareness-raising sessions are engaging young people, SMEs, and educators across the four regional target areas. These trainings introduce basic concepts of vocational education, sustainability, and green practices in accessible formats.
Tamar Kikvadze, Project Coordinator at World Vision Georgia, emphasized this approach: “Together with our partners, we are working towards achieving our shared goal, with each organisation taking responsibility for specific tasks and focusing on different areas of the field. Our work spans several key directions — raising awareness about vocational education, particularly among young people; promoting sustainable approaches among SMEs; and introducing green practices to educators and VET teachers.”
“Our awareness sessions were very interactive. Many young participants encountered this information for the first time; for others it added new layers to what they already knew. Now that programs are being developed and approved, the next step will be more targeted approach and activities dedicated specifically to vocational education and a campaign promoting green professions. Additionally, we will support SMEs, many of which are led by women and young people, to implement sustainable approaches in their businesses and transition to greener practices,” she elaborated.
This continuous engagement and multilayered approach ensure that digital tools like AgriVET are integrated into a broader system of educational transformation rather than standing alone.
A Foundation for the Future of Green Skills in Georgia
The launch of AgriVET and the Green Glossary marks a significant step toward integrating sustainability, digitalisation, and skills development across Georgia’s economic sectors. By offering accessible learning resources, job opportunities, and standardised green terminology, these tools support students, employers, and educators alike. Together, they lay the groundwork for a more sustainable vocational ecosystem and strengthen Georgia’s transition toward a greener, more inclusive future.The article was developed within the project “Inclusive Growth through Sustainable and Green Business Practices in Georgia” funded by the European Union and the Austrian Development Agency, and implemented jointly by World Vision Austria, World Vision Georgia, the Georgian Farmers’ Association, and the Energy Efficiency Centre Georgia.
By Kesaria Katcharava