Georgia Compact II

The compact sought to increase the earning potential of Georgians through improvements in the quality of education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, including strategic investments in general education, technical training and advanced degree programs. The compact also aimed to increase women’s participation in STEM professions. MCC’s partnership with Georgia is a strong example of how the U.S. government promotes economic growth, helps people lift themselves out of poverty and invests in future generations around the world. Through this $140 million grant, the next generation of Georgians will be enabled to enter the workforce with the skills needed to make Georgia a more prosperous and stable country.

The compact built on the success of Georgia’s 2005 Compact with MCC, which rehabilitated major sections of highway that connect the capital, Tbilisi, to an under-served agricultural corridor in the country’s southwest, improved energy and water security, and supported small and medium enterprise development in the agriculture and tourism sectors.

  • Original Amount at Compact Signing:
    $140,000,000
  • Amount spent:
    $136,643,049
  • Signed:
     July 26, 2013
  • Entry Into Force:
     July 1, 2014
  • Closed:
     July 1, 2019

Project Results

Improving General Education Quality Project

  • $70,702,387Original Compact Project Amount

Estimated Benefits

Estimated Benefits for the Improving General Education Quality Project
Time Estimated Economic Rate of Return (ERR) over 20 years Estimated beneficiaries over 20 years Estimated net benefits over 20 years
Not specified 11 percent 1,700,000 $8,000,000

Project Description

The project aimed to improve the quality of general education through rehabilitation of deteriorating schools, training for educators and school directors, and support for education assessments. This project consisted of the following activities:

  • Improved Learning Environment Infrastructure Activity: involved rehabilitation of dilapidated school facilities, upgrades to utilities such as heating, electrical, water supply, and sanitation systems, and provision of science laboratories and basic equipment to 91 Georgian public schools, and established a framework for public school system-wide operations and maintenance.
  • Training Educators for Excellence Activity: provided training to all public secondary school STEM and English teachers, all public school principals, and school-based professional development facilitators.
  • Education Assessment Support Activity: supported Georgia’s participation in three international assessments and the implementation of five national assessments focused on math and science.

Industry-Led Skills and Workforce Development Project

  • $15,651,034Original Compact Project Amount

Estimated Benefits

Estimated Benefits for the Industry-Led Skills and Workforce Development Project
Time Estimated Economic Rate of Return (ERR) over 20 years Estimated beneficiaries over 20 years Estimated net benefits over 20 years
At entry into force 14.0 percent 26,000 $18,500,000

Project Description

The program aimed to increase the number of Georgians with in-demand technical skills that sought to improve employability. The project consisted of the following activities:

  • Program Improvement Competitive Grants Activity: provided an initial investment in competitive grants to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs that developed, tested, and disseminated innovative and effective approaches to employment-oriented skills, in partnership with public and private sector employers
  • Strengthening Sector Policy and Provider Practice Activity: provided technical assistance in developing policy that supports industry engagement and matched private sector demand with labor supply; invested in small-scale competitive grants programs that identified, documented, and disseminated best practices by TVET providers; and fostered international best-practice exchanges between industry and government leaders.

STEM Higher Education Project

  • $36,124,278Original Compact Project Amount

Estimated Benefits

Estimated Benefits for the STEM Higher Education Project
Time Estimated Economic Rate of Return (ERR) over 20 years Estimated beneficiaries over 20 years Estimated net benefits over 20 years
Not specified 10.0 percent 47,000 $20,000,000

Project Description

The project modernized science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) higher education through a partnership that introduces high-quality, U.S.-accredited STEM bachelor’s degrees in Georgia in six disciplines. Following a competitive selection process, San Diego State University and three Georgian public partner universities are delivering bachelor’s degrees that provide Georgian students with increased employment opportunities. The project also funded rehabilitation and construction of modern lab and classroom facilities, essential equipment upgrades, curriculum development, and institutional support towards obtaining international accreditation.

As of May 22, 2020