“The Warm Elderly project had a strong impact on our lives. For almost 25 years, our building had inadequate heat and hot water. We had to live in severe conditions. But things changed with this project. Our comfort level significantly increased, and we are now able to spend time with each other in the hall or resting rooms, which we could have hardly imagined doing a couple of years ago. With your assistance, you have restored our dignity and pride.”  --Murman Khachapuridze, retired journalist and resident of the Tbilisi Elders Boarding House

USAID’s clean energy program brought public and private organizations together to renovate the Tbilisi Elders Boarding House with energy efficient and renewable energy solutions. Prior to the renovation, the home had high monthly energy expenses, yet did not have adequate heat to keep its residents warm in the winter or enough hot water for them to take more than two showers per week.

Director of the Tbilisi Elders Boarding House, Darjean Tomadze, recalls, “For a long time our tenants slept in coats, hats, and trousers, unable to visit the cold dining room—we were serving the meals in their rooms.”

Through a USAID-supported grant, the building now has a new solar hot water heating system and other energy efficiency upgrades to meet the residents’ needs, save money, and help protect the environment for future generations.

The U.S. Government supports Georgia’s efforts to mitigate climate change and enable more responsible management and development of Georgia’s natural endowments. USAID’s Enhancing Capacity for Low Emission Development Strategies (EC-LEDS) Clean Energy Program is one such example of this commitment.

When USAID/Georgia's Michael Rossman met with Mr. Khachapuridze and the other boarding house residents, he told them, “What this project is really all about is people; it’s about you, the residents of this community. We understand that the past hasn’t always been so comfortable, but we’re hoping that with clean energy, the future will only grow brighter.

Enhancing Capacity for Low Emission Development Strategies (EC-LEDS) Clean Energy Program builds the capacity of Georgian institutions to analyze greenhouse gas emissions and develop policies and actions to reduce those emissions. The program spurs investments that will reduce GHG emissions and assists municipalities to meet EU commitments under the Covenant of Mayors. As one of 20 focus countries to implement the U.S. Presidential Initiative for low emission development, Georgia has the potential to become a role model for the region.