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- RSMED Georgia: Rural Small and Medium Enterprises Development
A phase summary of the RSMED Georgia: Rural Small and Medium Enterprises Development programme applying a market systems development approach across Georgia.
It covers two main intervention areas - financial knowledge and skills, and investments in machinery and technology - with gender equality and social inclusion integrated throughout.
On financial literacy, the project shifted rural SMEs from compliance-only accounting toward strategic financial management, reaching over 2,100 businesses through regionally based advisors, sectoral associations and a graduation programme for state grant recipients. Supported businesses recorded 8 per cent higher income than a control group.
On technology, 1,228 SMEs secured loans or grants, generating CHF 7 million in new machinery investment. Targeted outreach in minority languages improved access for marginalised groups, and 111 full-time jobs were created.
Short case studies illustrate results across six regions.