Thanks to the State Internetization Programme, up to 800 families in the village of Likhauri in the Municipality of Ozurgeti are already using fibre-optic broadband services. This was enabled by the company Open Net, which built 140 km of broadband infrastructure with the support of the Communications Commission and enabled 29,000 locals to access high-quality internet. To support the State Internetization Programme, the Commission is implementing the Digital Support Programme, which is a component of the Log-in Georgia project and aims to raise awareness about the use of digital services among the rural population in target villages. 

The knowledge gained through the Digital Support Programme has enabled the Salukvadze family from Likhauri to develop a small restaurant business. Specifically, with the help of specialists, the Salukvadzes developed their digital skills and learned how to search for information, create and use e-mail, use Google Maps and Google Translator, share locations and use online communication tools, which allowed them to attract more tourists and visitors. 

Since 2022, more than 4200 beneficiaries from 151 villages across Georgia have received training in safe use of the internet and digital services through the State Internetization Programme and its components – Log-in Georgia and Digital Support Programme. Beneficiaries are also using the knowledge acquired during training to successfully conduct economic activities. 

The Digital Support Programme is part of the Log-in Georgia project, which is co-funded by the World Bank and the European Investment Bank. It is being implemented to support the Georgian State Internetization Programme. The project aims to provide around 500,000 people in 1000 villages and rural settlements in Georgia with access to affordable high-quality internet services, as well as to help develop digital skills and facilitate the use of digital services.