CHF International is a 50-year-old, American non-profit, international development organization that serves as a catalyst for long-lasting and positive change in areas of community, habitat and finance worldwide. Since October 2004, CHF has been implementing the USAID supported 5-year Georgia Employment and Infrastructure Initiative (GEII), which was designed to introduce and support effective market-driven development at the community level, increase income generation opportunities in regional communities/villages and form productive and sustainable partnerships.  Through a series of progressive steps, GEII developed long-term partnerships within a network of 300 rural communities, 20 municipality leaders, and scores of entrepreneurs.

CHF International has aided local economic development by initiating and implementing, with participatory methodology, more than 360 infrastructure projects from 2004 to 2006. In 2006 GEII shifted its focus to economic initiatives as part of its strategy to empower Local Economic Development (LED) in rural communities. Agribusiness, Public Private Partnerships and Rural Tourism Development were defined as priority sectors in GEII’s Rural Local Economic Development Strategy. Fifteen guesthouses were upgraded and different festivals and trade-fairs held for the support of rural tourism sector.

Based on Agro Sector and Value Chain analyzes throughout the country, GEII launched new agriculture initiatives targeted at the promotion of modern technologies and approaches in the sector. As a result, USAID~GEII initiated and carried out 144 agribusiness development projects. In addition, GEII supported farmers, and established more than 6,000 business links with input suppliers, buyers, processors and service providers.

In January 2007, CHF International Georgia launched the Public-Private Partnership directive through Municipal Economic Development Planning (MED), a new initiative to encourage local economic development. MED was implemented in 20 municipalities in the regions of Guria, Imereti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti. Additionally, USAID~GEII introduced Administrative Unit Economic Development Plans in 14 administrative units of Georgia.

After the August 2008 Russia-Georgia War CHF International Georgia implemented the USAID-financed Georgia Emergency Livelihoods and Shelter (GELS) program, a new initiative that aimed to support war-effected communities, IDPs and settlements. Under the GELS program, over 3,000 families were assisted with financial relief and home comfort. GELS program activities also involved the improvement and rehabilitation of community infrastructure, providing economic stimulus and creating individual livelihood opportunities.