The Industry-led Skills and Workforce Development Project (ISWD) of the Millennium Challenge Account – Georgia (MCA-Georgia), funded under the second $140 million Compact between the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Government of Georgia, is officially launching the Program Improvement Competitive Grants (PICG). This Project is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.

PICG will fund innovative, industry-driven proposals for establishing new or expanding and improving existing technical vocational education and training (TVET) programs that are aligned with industry demands, meet labour market needs and incorporate modern work practices; particularly in higher-level Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) areas, Agriculture and Tourism.

Based on the findings from the initial call for ideas, announced in January 2013, and needs assessment survey, commissioned by MCA-Georgia, the project team has defined PICG key objectives, developed a detailed grants manual, and set-up clear procedures for selection and approval process.

Potential grantees will compete for up to $12 million in grants, with grant sizes ranging from $300,000 -$3 million. All public or private TVET providers and companies, educational establishments (universities, public or private schools), professional organizations, and NGOs are eligible for funding.

In their program proposals, grantees must demonstrate how their grants will address industry needs, including elements of public-private partnership, e.g. through co-funding. The projects must meet international standards in environmental and social protection, occupational health and safety, and social and gender integration.

The application process will consist of two stages: submission of 1) a Concept Paper followed by 2) a Full Application Form (for short-listed applicants). The deadline for submitting concept papers is September 14^th, 2015.

The Request for Proposals and application documents are available here.

Information days and workshops will be organized in Tbilisi, Telavi, Kutaisi, and Batumi for all interested parties from July 23-31^st to provide detailed information on the application process. All interested parties must register in advance for information days/workshops via the registration form available here.

ISWD project is implemented by a consortium led by PEM GmbH, a consulting company based in Düsseldorf, Germany.

For further inquiries please contact PEM Consult:

27 Alexander Griboedovi Str., 0108, Tbilisi, Georgia

Tel.: +995 (0)32-997310

E-mail: iswd@pem-consult.de

www.pem-consult.de