Mendel University in Brno continues to develop its long-term activities in Georgia and is opening up new opportunities for cooperation with the support of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Tbilisi. Its projects support local farmers, winemakers, and the development of regional markets. The strengthening of mutual cooperation was also confirmed during a recent meeting with Consul Ani Shaginyan, who met with Ivo Zdráhal from the Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies.
Mendel University has been systematically active in Georgia since 2019, when it took part in an expert mission organized by the South Moravian Region. Since then, it has developed a broad network of partnerships with key universities and institutions, including Caucasus University, Telavi State University, Georgian Technical University, Akaki Tsereteli State University, and the Agrarian University of Georgia. The cooperation focuses on priority areas such as viticulture and winemaking, natural resource management, agricultural economics, and tourism.
“The university already has a very solid foundation in Georgia, both in terms of projects and broader development initiatives or economic diplomacy. The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Tbilisi sees these activities as an important element in strengthening Czech-Georgian relations and is ready to support further cooperation,” Consul Shaginyan said in her response after the meeting.
In the field of development projects, the university is implementing, for example, an initiative focused on short food supply chains, which transfers experience from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland to Georgia. This project supports local farmers, the development of regional markets, and the availability of high-quality food. Another key project is the international GastroTour initiative, which aims to modernize wine and gastronomic tourism through innovation, education, and digital tools.
“Mendel University’s involvement has a significant impact on economic diplomacy as well as support for education. Our aim is to develop activities that include not only joint research projects and student and academic exchanges within the Erasmus+ programme, but also expert advisory support for practice and dialogue between universities and industry,” adds Zdráhal.
The university is currently involved in the preparation of new projects in Georgia, including the development of a strategic concept for a “Georgian Wine Salon”, inspired by the experience of the Visegrad Group countries. Mendel University thus confirms its ambition to be an active partner in the development of sustainable solutions in education, agriculture, and regional development in Georgia. By connecting academic expertise, international projects, and the support of Czech diplomacy, a strong foundation is being created for long-term cooperation with the potential to bring concrete results for both countries.