Ms. Natya Ghvinashvili, deputy executive director of NALAG with the representatives from the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG), the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia (MRDI) as well as the representatives from Kutaisi, Lanchkhuti, Telavi, Tsageri, Zugdidi Ozurgeti, Kobuleti, Lagodekhi and Akhalkalaki municipalities were on a study visit in Latvia.

Georgian delegation had the meetings with the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG), the Public Administration and Local Government Committee of the Saeima (Parliament of Latvia), they also met with Ms. Tea Maisuradze, Ambassador of Georgia to Latvia, participants discussed ways to deepen cooperation between countries in different fields.

During the meetings participants discussed System of local governments in Latvia, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, negotiations with central government - including, inter-budgetary relations/inter-governmental finance, Local Action Groups (LAG) in Latvia, regional and local planning, urban governance, neighborhood initiatives and other instruments for involving citizens in decision making process, performance monitoring and evaluation of local governments in Latvia.

Georgian delegation also had the meetings with several high level representatives of Latvian municipalities, they introduced the reforms implemented in the region.

At the end of the meeting the Georgian delegation gave the hosts the memorable gifts.

The study tour on October 21-25 was organized within the framework of the Project “Networking for Efficiency and Development” (N4ED). The aim of the study visit was to share the experience about local development planning, monitoring and evaluation system, local action groups, and urban governance innovation.

The Georgian Delegation visited Latvia with the invitation of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG).