The “Promoting Green Skills for Sustainability (PROGRESS)” project was a 30-month initiative (2024–2026) implemented by CARE Österreich in cooperation with CARE Caucasus, the Restaurateurs Association of Georgia and Fundación Restaurantes Sostenibles, and aimed to contribute to the increase in competitiveness and sustainability of the local private sector in Georgia through the development of skills to facilitate greening of businesses in the sector of food services. The project was funded by the European Union (EU), together with the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and CARE Österreich. The project’s primary outcome was to establish sustainable sector partnerships to strengthen the capacity of the vocational education and training (VET) system to improve qualifications and green skills in food services. Key stakeholders included five state VET institutions, food service Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) across Georgia, the Restaurateurs Association of Georgia, Food, Beverages and Hospitality, Skills Agency of Georgia, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, and regional and national media outlets supporting awareness raising activities.
The objective of this baseline evaluation was to provide an overview of the current state of various stakeholders and their perspectives on factors relevant to the project’s implementation. Additionally, it aimed to serve as a reference point for assessing changes and impacts following the project’s completion, while also supporting the planning process and establishing target values. The evaluation applied a qualitative approach, including desk research, key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders, and focus group discussions with representatives of potential partner MSMEs and teachers from prospective target VET institutions. Based on the findings, the study produced actionable recommendations to inform and strengthen project implementation.