In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, the mission of the Rural Development Association (RDA) is to address a wide range of development issues in Abkhazia and effectively promote growth and farmers’ capacities, business development, professional and skills development, and access to education through planning, initiating, and offering adequate solutions to local challenges. The RDA strives to build resilient communities by combating poverty, promoting gender equality, and reducing inequalities following a rights-based approach and humanitarian principles.
To achieve its ambitions, the RDA has adopted key strategic priorities which will frame its work for the years to come. Alongside its core sectors of expertise, the RDA will strive to strengthen cooperation and partnerships with local communities, provide long-term, sustainable, and cohesive solutions locally, secure resources for the development and growth of the RDA, and ensure that its actions are efficient, agile, and adaptable. The RDA model is articulated around three core sectors of intervention at the nexus of humanitarian and development work to enhance:
- Support to Farmers through an Equipment Rental Scheme (ERS), training, and awareness.
- Support to Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and individual entrepreneurs through innovative products and training in adherence to social responsibility principles.
- Improved access to community services for local residents through social cohesion and educational support projects.
The RDA strategic priorities and sectors of intervention may be adjusted over time to effectively respond to needs identified at the community level and further contribute to growth in Abkhazia.
Our Partnership
RDA decided to partner with Aflatoun International in 2020 and has since adapted Aflatoun teaching materials (facilitators’ guidelines and an exercise book for school-aged children) to suit the context of Abkhazia. In June 2025, RDA facilitated two weeks of comprehensive training for 17 schoolteachers and professionals from 10 of RDA’s target schools in Gali district, Abkhazia, in order to transfer social and financial skills to younger generations.
In October 2025, RDA will pilot the Aflatoun contextualised programme for the RDA-targeted primary school children. It is envisaged to expand the number of schools to 20 by October 2025, so as to be present in all schools where RDA has renovated hybrid Youth Clubs/Libraries.
