This joint initiative by ISET Policy Institute and Policy and Management Consulting Group, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU), aims to boost Georgian SMEs' exports to European markets.

The Policy Panel: Current Economic Challenges and Opportunities in Georgia was sponsored and organized by ISET Policy Institute as part of the 1st International Conference of the Georgian Economic Association on July 2, 2024, at Stamba.

The project aims to raise awareness and boost participation in the democratic process, fostering a strong and inclusive understanding of the benefits of EU integration for all age and ethnic groups in Georgia. Our goal is to communicate the tangible advantages of democracy and the EU path to Georgian youth and regional populations. Utilizing social media, we share compelling evidence highlighting the benefits of a European future for Georgia. The campaign is inclusive, with content available in Armenian and Azeri to reach minority groups.

The "Inclusive Access to Markets" (IA2M) project aims to enhance the competitiveness of Georgian SMEs in EU and European markets. Under this initiative, UNDP commissioned the ISET Policy Institute to conduct a study to identify sectors with high growth and export potential. The objective of the study is to analyze existing research materials and data to identify at least six promising sectors or subsectors.

As Georgia advances on its path toward European Union (EU) candidacy, the anticipated economic benefits, increased foreign investment, and alignment with European standards present a promising trajectory, worthy of further attention within the following article. The granting of European Union candidate status is a significant political signal, one which represents an initial step towards acknowledging that a candidate country is on the path towards eventual EU membership.