How Georgia is building a network of ‘Growth Hubs’ to support rural businesses

Georgia's Rural SMEs Development Project (RSMEDP) has partnered with Enterprise Georgia to build a nationwide network of Growth Hubs providing rural SMEs with diagnostics, tailored advisory services and access to subsidised micro-loans.

The model emerged from lessons learned under an earlier micro-grants programme, which proved costly to scale and failed to move businesses towards commercial finance.

Growth Hubs operate as one-stop shops linking entrepreneurs to a roster of private service providers across six business functions.

By January 2026 six hubs were operational, with 570 businesses accessing consulting services and 1,114 micro-loans disbursed.

Early results point to improved business performance, a maturing business services market and growing financial inclusion among previously underserved rural entrepreneurs.

RSMEDP's role was catalytic and facilitative throughout - strengthening Enterprise Georgia's institutional capacity without substituting for its leadership. The case illustrates how patient, locally-owned partnerships can drive systemic change in business support markets, working through and alongside market actors rather than replacing them.