The 13th Annual Meeting of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP) was held in RzeszΓ³w, Poland, with the participation of members of the Georgian delegation, including the Mayor of Rustavi Municipality, Nino Latsabidze, and Member of Zugdidi Municipality Council – Sandro Sordia
The main objective of the event was to assess the current situation in the CORLEAP member countries and determine future perspectives in the context of the new EU political cycle. The main topics included the deepening of cooperation, decentralization, good governance practices, and the development of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) Academy, which aims to enhance the public administration capacities of local and regional governments.
In his speech, Sandro Sordia highlighted the strategic location of Zugdidi near the Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia and emphasized the importance of the dialogue platform, particularly in light of the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine.
βThe platform can provide us with an opportunity to engage with European structures and partners. Furthermore, it allows us to reach out to the general public and share mutual practices and experiences with representatives of the Eastern Partnership countries regarding the activation of the role of municipalities in challenging geographical contexts, enabling them to contribute modestly to universal peace and prosperity,β said Sandro Sordia.
The Georgian delegate expressed gratitude to the conference organizers for the opportunity to participate in the meeting and provided his colleagues with insights into the challenges faced by local governments in Georgia.
According to Sandro Sordia, despite some progress in decentralization in Georgia, significant challenges remain for local authorities, particularly in increasing the qualifications of human resources in areas such as urban planning, financial management, public procurement, and environmental governance.
To address these challenges, the delegate presented his proposals to his colleagues, which include the availability of hybrid training programs and the creation of training hubs for municipalities located far from the capital. Additionally, he proposed the establishment of professional fellowship programs and international cooperation with institutions such as the College of Europe and ReSPA, which would enable municipal civil servants and decision-makers to benefit from specialized courses and exchange best practices with EU member states.
According to Sandro Sordia, it is also crucial to introduce mentoring programs and work experience-sharing initiatives.
The proposals also emphasized the importance of evidence-based decision-making, citizen engagement, and the implementation of green policies to foster more responsive and sustainable governance.
At the end of the meeting, the Georgian delegate introduced the participants to a long-term initiative involving the creation of the Eastern Partnership Academy for Public Administration (EPAPA). According to Sandro Sordia, instead of establishing a centralized institution, EPAPA will function as a network connecting existing training providers with local authorities, ensuring support tailored to the unique needs of each municipality.
βBy investing in people, we strengthen institutions. Developing human resource capacities is not only a necessity β it is the basis for sustainable governance and regional development,β noted Sandro Sordia, urging his colleagues to collaborate on this initiative.
The participants also took part in an educational visit to the Aeropolis Podkarpackie Science and Technology Park and the Medevac Hub, a medical evacuation center for Ukrainian patients.