Georgia is a country with a rich and diverse cultural heritage, but its creative industries have faced many challenges in the past decades. From political instability and economic hardship to lack of infrastructure and market access, the creative sector has struggled to reach its full potential. However, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Georgia’s creative industries are undergoing a transformation that promises to enhance their economic and social impact.
What are Creative Industries?
Creative industries are defined as those that use creativity, culture, and innovation as their main inputs and outputs. They include sectors such as film, music, design, publishing, advertising, fashion, and crafts. According to the United Nations, creative industries contribute to economic growth, job creation, social inclusion, and cultural diversity. They also have a positive effect on other sectors, such as tourism, education, and health.
According to a report by the Georgia Council for the Arts, the creative industries in Georgia represent a combined $37 billion in revenue, including 200,000 employed with $12.1 billion in earnings, and $62.5 billion in total economic impact. The creative industries represent 5 percent of all employment and 4 percent of all business revenue in the state.
How USAID is Supporting Georgia’s Creative Sector
USAID has been working with the Government of Georgia and private sector partners to support Georgia’s creative industries since 2018. Through its Economic Security Program, USAID aims to increase the competitiveness and productivity of Georgia’s creative sector, as well as to improve its legal and regulatory environment. Some of the activities that USAID supports include:
- Providing grants, training, mentoring, and networking opportunities to creative entrepreneurs and businesses, especially those led by women and youth.
- Developing and promoting online platforms and marketplaces that showcase and sell Georgian creative products and services, both domestically and internationally.
- Strengthening the capacity and advocacy of creative industry associations and clusters, as well as fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and innovation.
- Supporting the development and implementation of national and regional strategies and policies that foster the growth and sustainability of the creative sector.
- Raising awareness and appreciation of the value and impact of the creative industries among the public, the media, and the decision-makers.
What are the Results and Benefits of USAID’s Intervention?
USAID’s support to Georgia’s creative industries has yielded significant results and benefits, both for the creative sector and for the wider economy and society. Some of the achievements and outcomes of USAID’s intervention include:
- Creating and sustaining over 2,000 jobs in the creative sector, with an average income increase of 30 percent for the beneficiaries.
- Generating over $10 million in sales and exports of Georgian creative products and services, reaching new markets and customers in Europe, Asia, and the US.
- Enhancing the quality, diversity, and innovation of Georgian creative products and services, as well as improving their compliance with international standards and customer expectations.
- Improving the business environment and the legal framework for the creative sector, including the adoption of a national strategy for the development of the creative industries and the establishment of a Creative Georgia Agency.
- Increasing the visibility and recognition of the creative sector as a driver of economic growth, social development, and cultural identity, as well as a source of resilience and inspiration for the Georgian people.
USAID’s impact on Georgia’s creative industries is a testament to the economic power of creativity and the potential of the creative sector to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of Georgia and its citizens.
