HEAD OFFICE TBILISI, GEORGIA; REGIONAL OFFICES BAKU, AZERBAIJAN; YEREVAN, ARMENIA

The Program aimed to promote long-term regional cooperation across the South Caucasus region, based on shared economic interests in the tourism sector that contributed to mutual prosperity, collaboration, and stability in the region. The Program worked collaboratively with the private sector, civil society actors in support of tourism development, and tourism development-related government ministries and agencies, including ministries of economy and environment, while serving as a model for cross-border engagement among other economic sectors. The Program identified opportunities for product development and innovative marketing and supported the development of regional multi-day itineraries to promote tourism. Through this work, the Program supported peace-building by developing successful and enduring business partnerships. The Program’s activities were designed to:

• recognize the complex historical and ongoing conflicts within the South Caucasus region. The Program’s overarching approach was informed by thinking/working politically (TWP) frameworks and regular updating of the Applied Political Economy Analysis (PEA). This approach acknowledged the influence of underlying historical factors, formal and informal “rules of the game” relationships, conflict dynamics, gender dynamics, dynamics among youth and vulnerable populations, environmental considerations, power structures, and incentives.

• incorporate a people-to-people approach that brought together representatives of conflict- affected sides to interact purposefully and constructively in a safe space. This approach was guided by the PEA and the TWP frameworks mentioned above.

• employ a market-systems approach to identify and promote areas of shared alignment and mutually beneficial market opportunities. The Program created opportunities for a series of interactions between groups to promote mutual understanding, trust, empathy, resilient social ties, and regional cohesion.

Duration: 2023-2025