Upon an unprecedented initiative of CCEH Hydro VI, the Advisory Board for Environmental and Social issues has started its work as a part of the Bakhvi 1 HPP Project.
The Board is composed of members from Ozurgeti and Chokhatauri municipalities, 6 members from each municipality respectively. NGOs are represented by Nugzar Asatiani, Nino Berdzenishvili, Lika Asieshvili and Tamar Oniani; local self-governments are represented by Lela Mdinaradze, Davit Zhghenti, Teimuraz Chanukvadze and Maya Chavleishvili; the local media are represented by Ia Mamaladze and Vladimer Menabde, while the business sector by Kristine Gurielidze and Davit Tenieshvili.
The purpose of establishing the Advisory Board for Environmental and Social issues is to:
1) Ensure full and effective stakeholder engagement in the project review process;
2) Introduce transparent EIA practices;
3) Facilitate stakeholder engagement in the EIA report review process;
4) Heed stakeholder recommendations and constructive criticism;
5) Enhance public trust in the Bakhvi 1 HPP Project.
The Board members will meet on a monthly basis and review environmental and social issues; they will be updated about the results of surveys conducted by international consulting companies and discuss the mechanisms and approaches that would secure the project success.
We are pleased to present the event related to establishing the Board and interviews with the Board members recorded after the event on August 5 of 2021.