On October 19, 2016 a Grant Contract was concluded between Batumi Botanical Garden and LLC “Adjaristsqali Georgia”, being signed by the Director of Batumi Botanical Garden Mr. Irakli Archaia and Commercial Director of LLC “Adjaristsqali Georgia” Mr. Roni Solberg.
The amount of the grant is 100 000 USD. The above-mentioned funding considers arrangement of solar energy system and parking, construction and equipment of a temporary administrative building for the Garden personnel, arrangement of picnic area and natural paths, digestion tank and sewage system, eco-toilets and ticket booths, information signs and boards, maps, development and printing of brochure design, as well as construction of bee houses and equipment with inventory necessary for developing bee-keeping and purchase of bee families in Goderdzi Alpine Garden. Construction and development of Alpine Garden was launched with the support program of Small Caucasus Alliances, being implemented by the non-governmental organization “Merci Corps” under funding Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Batumi Botanical Garden shall undertaken obligation to take a leading role in planning the Alpine Garden and apply all necessary internal resources (material, intellectual and technical; as well as to create jobs for the local population, to allocated additional funds for Goderdzi Alpine Garden from its budget and ensure its further functioning.
Issuing of the Grant foreseen with the contract aims at supporting establishment and development of Goderdzi Alpine Garden by the parties, being a rural tourism, education and research sustainable regional center, the best demonstration site for sustainable rural development and simultaneously, giving stimulus for the residents of high-mountainous Ajara for their development, which also includes forming an additional realization market for local products. the project also aims at supporting Botanical Garden in preservation of specific plant diversity at the local level; as well as to ensure conservation ex-site of the species distinguished with relic, endemic, rare, food, medical, economics, decorative and other useful features so that to achieve conservation of unique eco-diversity of Ajara; to support utilization of the collection incorporated in the Alpine Garden for scientific, cognitive and tourist purposes.
The ceremony was attended by the parties involved in the development of Goderdzi Alpine Garden: Mayor of Batumi Mr. Giorgi Ermakov, Chairman of the Department of Tourism and Resorts of Ajara A/R Mr. Mamia Berdzenishvili; Manager of the Program “Alliances of Small Caucasus” of International NGO “Merci Corps” funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Ms. Lela Purtakardze and other persons.
At the end of the event, the following Working Meeting in relation to the alpine Garden was held in the Garden Administration.
