BY LIA DAVITADZE
High in the mountains of Ajara, where access to resources is limited, water and wastewater infrastructure is almost non-existent and environmental challenges are intensified by climate conditions, a quiet but powerful transformation is taking place alongside a novel Infrastructure Investment Program – The Ajara Rural Water Supply and Wastewater Program, assisted by the European Union and the German Government and being implemented in 39 mountainous villages and 5 semi-urban areas of Ajara. At the beginning of the Program, already during the village selection stage it was decided to establish workshop with students and schools, so called eco-clubs, through which the students of the affected villages would become environmental leaders, community educators, and active agents of sustainable change.
Eco-clubs have now been active for five years already. Across the highland villages, they have brought together students, teachers, academics from Batumi Shota Rustaveli State Universities and local communities around one joint mission: to protect nature, to bring up environmentally friendly, socially responsible citizen who will value resources and take care of its sustainable usage building a greener future. What began as small student groups has been growing into a strong youth-driven movement, reaching schools that previously had little access to environmental education or practical sustainability initiatives.
Initially, the eco-club concept was structured to have environment related workshops at each involved school, bringing in experts from the relevant fields and from the universities. Students involved in the eco-clubs have gained hands-on experience in implementing activities, which were documented in the green calendar with photos reflecting the activities uploaded to the Facebook eco club page, as social media is important for visibility and communication with and between the students. An Environmental Summit was held at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, where all 23 eco -clubs participated. During the summit, the Eco-clubs presented examples of their work during the recent year. Students now understand how everyday actions impact rivers, forests, and public health. Through environmental clean-up campaigns, usage of water tool kits to monitor the water quality of springs and rivers in their villages, and awareness sessions, the children have become visible role models in their villages—teaching not only their peers, but also parents and neighbours about the importance of water wastewater biodiversity and environment issues.
One of the most significant changes has been in the attitudes toward wastewater treatment. In communities where wastewater was traditionally discharged in holes, and the soil later used for fertilization, however not considering the potential contamination of rivers and springs in its vicinity, eco-club members discussed the importance of effective and safe solutions the Ajara Rural Water Supply and Wastewater Program managed by the Ajara Water Alliance offered to village inhabitants: biologically treated septic tanks, community training on affective usage and creating precedent in Ajara mountainous villages. Eco–club students are actively involved to distributing first hand information to their community on proper on advantages of septic tanks.
The eco-clubs have also improved students’ leadership and communication skills. Through meetings, peer-to-peer education, public presentations, and cooperation with local authorities, students acquired the skills to organize campaigns, speak in public, and advocate for environmental protection. Teachers report improved confidence, teamwork, and responsibility among participants.
More importantly, the initiative has also helped build a bridge between schools, the local university, municipalities, and families. Local governments now see students as partners in environmental protection. The university and involved families continuously support school activities, recognizing that their children are bringing practical knowledge and positive change into households.
The eco-clubs in Georgia’s Ajara highlands prove that real environmental change does not require large infrastructure alone — it begins with education, youth mobilization and engagement, ownership and community trust. By empowering children with knowledge and responsibility, the project planted seeds that will continue to grow for years to come, shaping a generation that respects nature and protects its future.
MACS is applying the concept of Eco-clubs as integrated instrument following a holistic and participatory approach in all MACS projects in Sustainable Infrastructure. Eco-clubs are an important instrument of the empowerment of the Rural population. For this reason, MACS has been assisting and extending the establishment of Eco-clubs in Georgia, but also in Moldova, Albania and Peru in the context of other currently ongoing rural and urban wastewater treatment and water supply projects.
The Republic of Moldova is considered Europe’s poorest and least developed country. Infrastructure and related services of water, sanitation and waste management are hardly developed, particularly in rural areas. Therefore, one of the components of the programme focuses on optimizing water supply, sanitation and waste management. As a flagship project, a water treatment plant will be constructed in Edinet in northern Moldova in the framework of LOCOMO. Additionally, ten to 15 smaller construction projects will improve water infrastructure in schools, daycare centers and other public facilities. Access to renewed infrastructure benefits water suppliers and waste management providers, public authorities, and – most of all – the population in the selected target areas.
The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the implementation of Moldova’s strategic goals in the areas of sustainable water supply as well as sewage and wastewater treatment. The consortium will provide construction site supervision including all duties and authorities of the Engineer in accordance with regulation as well as to develop capacities within the involved utilities in order to ensure proper operation and maintenance as well as financial sustainability of the new infrastructure and setup.
MACS is participating in a consortium with Posch & Partners Consulting Engineers as Site Superision Consultant, while MACS implements the capacity development component within the construction project, specifically focusing on the provision of Operation and Maintenance trainings for the newly constructed facilities, as well as the overall improvement of human resource capital and utility efficiency.
Matthias has a degree in agricultural science and postgraduate honors in rural development and more than 20 years of professional experience in international development projects. At MACS he developed into a prolific Project Manager and Institutional Expert as well as Team Leader who played a major role during the very successful rehabilitation program for water and sanitation in Batumi (Georgia).
In the field of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Matthias has developed a profile for himself and MACS through his work of coordinating the finance division for energy projects in the framework of the Green for Growth Fund (GGF), which has earned a reputation as one of the leading EE/RE funds today.
As one of the Partners and Managing Directors of MACS, Matthias is responsible for operations and financial management at MACS.
Dr. Lia Davitadze
Senior Gender and Communication Consultant