STAY, CREATE, GROW: Stories of Resilience from ABL Communities in Georgia
Petra Bošková
When Tamar opens the door of her house in the morning, the air is filled with the scent of the forest and the sweet aroma of honey. The streets of her native village, Ptsa, are still quiet, but her yard is already buzzing with life. The bees slowly wake up in their hives, and another day begins — a day of building the future.
A Place Where Vulnerability Turns into Strength
The project “Building Economic Resilience in Communities Adjacent to the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) around the Tskhinvali Region in Georgia”, supported by SlovakAid, was created as a response to the challenges faced by communities located near the administrative boundary lines (ABL) in Georgia. These areas have long been exposed to social and economic marginalisation, limited access to markets, the outmigration of young people, and a frequent psychological sense of abandonment.
The project brings inspiration, technical assistance, and practical know-how to empower local governments, micro and small entrepreneurs, and young people to become active agents of change. It focuses on areas such as agrotourism, regional cooperation, and, above all, on strengthening the role of women as drivers of economic and social recovery.
The project is implemented in close cooperation with local and international partners, including Populus Rei, who provide essential support in the field and contribute to building long-term, sustainable impact in the region.
Tamar and the Honey That Tastes Like Home
Tamar Oblishvili from the village of Ptsa is one of those who chose not to give up. Together with her family, she began producing honey. It wasn’t easy — they lacked equipment, access to markets, and the sales skills needed for effective monetisation. Today, however, she leads a small family-based micro-cooperative and, with new packaging equipment provided by the project, her products are reaching Tbilisi.
“I grew up here, in Ptsa. Everyone around is involved in agriculture — it’s our way of life. I was always fascinated by beekeeping. When the opportunity came to grow our honey-making project, I grabbed it with both hands,” Tamar says.
“Our cooperation with organisations also opened the door to the European market. I see a future, not just for myself, but for our whole community. My biggest motivation is when my daughters ask me if they too can be entrepreneurs one day. I tell them — absolutely yes.”
Tamar is one of the women proving that even in traditional communities, boundaries can be moved. Her story is one of determination, cooperation, and the strength to stay.
Nia and the Story of a Dairy Farm
In another village, Kvenatkotsa, lives Nia Khachapuridze. Together with her family, she raises Holstein and Jersey cows, both breeds rather unique in Georgia. Farming runs through their family like a thread — but it was only through the project that they gained access to modern cheese-packaging technologies and certification, which helped them improve production efficiency and expand their product range.
“The opportunity to visit Slovakia and see how small farms operate there was key for me. It inspired me. I realised that our challenges are not unique and that they can be solved. Now we have new machinery, better production, and I truly believe we will continue to grow,” Nia shares.
Thanks to the project, her products are reaching a wider market, and together with Tamar and others, she will be part of a collective brand — “Fruits of Heroism” — representing the quality and identity of the ABL regions.
Shared Know-How, Shared Brand
A key feature of the project is the transfer of Slovak know-how. Through workshops, training sessions, and study trip, representatives of the communities learn about topics such as agrotourism, organic and bio production, brand-building, and regional cooperation. Slovak experts not only bring experience but also trust — the belief that even small changes can lead to big results.
In addition to technical development, the project emphasises the economic empowerment of women. In communities where a woman’s role is often limited by expectations, space is being created for new models of success.
Continuing the Legacy: Fruits of Heroism
Several years ago, in Georgia, a brand called Fruits of Heroism was created to support the development of communities living adjacent to the occupation line (ABL) in the Shida Kartli region. The initiative was launched under the auspices of USAID, in cooperation with the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) from Georgia and the international organisation Zinc Network, along with partners such as the Georgian Farmers’ Association and the creative agency Leavingstone.
The brand emerged not only as an economic initiative but as a symbol of national resilience and solidarity. It aims to support farmers and small producers who, despite the ongoing threat of Russian occupation, continue to cultivate their land and create value for their communities and the country as a whole.
Today, the Fruits of Heroism brand represents a wide range of products — from fruits, vegetables, and dried fruit to honey, herbs, cheese, and handmade soaps. These are not ordinary goods: they are the results of courage and perseverance, often produced just a few hundred meters from barbed wire fences. Each product carries a story of land, identity, and the daily effort to remain and thrive despite uncertainty.
The project, implemented with strong support from IDFI and Zinc Network, helped ensure that these local producers gained access to major retail chains such as Carrefour and Zgapari, where consumers in Tbilisi and beyond can now directly support these frontline communities. A unified brand identity with the message “Produced near the occupation line” lets every buyer know that their purchase empowers families living in villages like Shindisi, Dirbi, Medzhvriskhevi, Bershueti, and Dvani.
At public events and campaigns, project coordinators emphasised the importance of solidarity, not only as a moral stance but as a practical way to protect livelihoods and strengthen civic cohesion in vulnerable regions. According to representatives from Zinc Network, the campaign was meant to honour the hard work and courage of people who did not abandon their homes but instead chose to stay and build despite fear and hardship.
As part of the current project, we are now building on this powerful foundation and giving the Fruits of Heroism brand a new dimension. The visual identity is being extended to a broader range of products created by supported entrepreneurs, to enter new markets and strengthen the long-term sustainability of ABL communities.
Ultimately, Fruits of Heroism is more than a label. It is a movement of recognition and pride — a way to remind all Georgians (and hopefully international partners) that even in places most affected by conflict, life continues, dignity persists, and hope grows. Through the collaboration of organisations like IDFI, Zinc Network, and USAID, these stories are not only being told — they are being supported and carried forward, one product at a time.
„As part of the current project, we are now building on this powerful foundation and giving the Fruits of Heroism brand a new dimension. The visual identity is being extended to a broader range of products created by supported entrepreneurs, to enter new markets and strengthen the long-term sustainability of ABL communities.“
A Place Learning to Breathe Again
The project „Building Economic Resilience in Communities Adjacent to the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) around the Tskhinvali Region in Georgia”, is not only about the economy. It’s about identity. About dignity. About how even in areas marked by conflict and uncertainty, development can emerge.
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