"Business for Sustainable Development" – this prestigious accolade has been awarded to the Bakhvi HPP project as part of the United Nations Global Compact Georgia’s Corporate Sustainability Contest. An international panel of judges granted the award in recognition of the project's contribution to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 – "Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions."
The Advisory Council, established on August 5, 2021, as part of the Bakhvi HPP project, was recognized as a robust institution due to its founding purpose and operational framework. The United Nations Global Compact Network Georgia (UNGCNG) aims to foster a progressive future by promoting sustainable approaches and encouraging business participation in this mission. To create a fairer world and ensure equitable distribution of benefits, the United Nations has formulated 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Each social project implemented under the Bakhvi HPP within the surrounding communities aligns with a specific UN goal. The establishment of the Advisory Council at the project's inception was assessed by experts as a crucial step toward institutional transparency and accountability.
Giorgi Abramishvili, Director of Bakhvi HPP
Mr. Giorgi, first of all, congratulations on this significant award. Could you tell us more about the project that earned this recognition?
- “When discussing national development and contributing to this process, only sustainable development truly matters. Projects guided by this principle deliver tangible results. Ensuring transparency and inclusivity in project management is crucial, and this was our primary objective when, in 2021, we decided to offer stakeholders the opportunity to form the Bakhvi HPP Advisory Council. From day one, we committed to implementing Bakhvi HPP in full compliance with Georgian legislation and by adopting the best Western practices in both construction and environmental and social project management. However, before proceeding with these commitments, it was essential to build trust. There were many questions, fear, and even radical opposition. Gaining trust required mutual dialogue, listening, and understanding.
From the very beginning, we actively facilitated dialogue between the company and the local community. Given the diverse range of stakeholders, we categorized them into internal groups: media, local residents, business circles, NGOs, and local authorities. We invited each group to nominate a representative to join the Advisory Council and collaborate with us. Our goal was clear—to ensure transparency and stakeholder engagement. The council began its work on August 5, and its members continue to serve voluntarily. Every decision made over the years has been thoroughly deliberated with the council. Its members act as embassadors between us and the community, bringing their voices to us and disseminating information within the community. They are trusted and respected individuals, and their initial skepticism was understandable. We worked hard to cultivate trust. Ultimately, openness and participation yielded results. Today, there is no longer an "us versus them" mentality. We have become one team, collectively advancing the project. Everyone involved recognizes their contribution and fully embraces their responsibility.”
Mr. Giorgi, has the Advisory Council fulfilled its role, or does it continue to play a crucial part in the project?
- “The Advisory Council was established in August 2021 and has evolved over time. In 2021-2022, it primarily functioned as a consultative body, focusing on agreements regarding construction strategies, environmental action plans to mitigate potential risks, and social projects based on community needs assessments. Awareness-raising activities were also conducted, including site visits to other hydropower plants in our portfolio to provide council members with firsthand insights into well-executed projects and effective environmental and social initiatives. In 2023-2024, we concentrated on project implementation. We organized informational tours of the construction site to monitor how commitments were being met, how construction was progressing, and how environmental and social initiatives were being executed. By 2025, we have reached a stage where we can proudly showcase our fulfilled commitments. It is, in many ways, a harvest season. We are immensely grateful to the Advisory Council, as this collaboration has been a learning experience for all of us. We have learned to view issues from different perspectives, which has ultimately strengthened the project. We have cultivated patience, accountability, and the importance of stakeholder engagement. Most importantly, we have learned to listen. Once we mastered this skill, we realized that our voices were also being heard. Our statements and commitments were understood and acknowledged. To conclude, we have been part of an extraordinary experience—one that has been truly invaluable. When the project is completed, I am confident that we will shake hands and express our gratitude to one another for the remarkable journey we have undertaken together.”