Together with Vincent Dontot, Country
Director of the Danish Refugee Council in Georgia, EU Ambassador to Georgia
Carl Hartzell awarded certificates to the 19 graduates of Zugdidi
Entrepreneurial School.

The ceremony took place at the wood-processing
plant “Madera Georgia,” which the students visited earlier already as
part of a study trip. The Director of the company, Beso Matkava, was very glad
to host the Ambassador and the graduates. He used the chance to talk about the
current situation of the company, its establishment, and their export to the
European Union.

The School’s curriculum included amongst others
Business Management and Planning, Marketing, Fundraising, Financial Management,
and legal issues related to Business Administration. Students also received
individual, needs-based consultations and mentorship to improve their business
ideas, and inspected businesses to learn from successful entrepreneurs.

The Entrepreneurial School is part of the EU-funded
project “EU4Youth – Enhancing Youth Education, Employment and Participation in
Conflict-affected Areas in Georgia and Ukraine.” The initiative aims to
widen education, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities for internally
displaced persons and conflict-affected youth and encourages their significant
participation in the community. In Georgia, it is implemented by the Danish
Refugee Council (DRC) and the Education Development and Employment Center
(EDEC).