Slovak Expertise in Georgia: Partnership for Resilient Water Resources and Infrastructure

9. December 2025

From October 5 to 11, 2025, a project titled “Sustainable Development and Safety of Mountain Areas and Related Infrastructure: Dams, Roads, and Bridges” took place in Tbilisi. The project was implemented within the framework of the Official Development Cooperation instrument of the Slovak Republic, Sharing Slovak Expertise (SSE).

Project Objective

The main goal of the project was to share Slovak expertise in the field of technical and safety supervision of water structures, present the know-how of the state enterprise VODOHOSPODÁRSKA VÝSTAVBA, partners Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) and MicroStep-MIS, as well as to develop cooperation between the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava and the Georgian Technical University in Tbilisi.

Main Project Activities

Meetings with Georgian partners on improving water structure management
Presentation of Slovak solutions and expertise in dam safety
Technical inspections of the Sioni and Algeti dams with recommendations for improved monitoring
Discussions on joint projects and exchange programs between universities
Meetings at the Technical University of Tbilisi and the Hydrometeorological Institute on cooperation in monitoring and rehabilitation of water structures
Meeting with Engurhesi Ltd., where Slovak experts presented the activities of VODOHOSPODÁRSKA VÝSTAVBA, its technical and safety supervision, and automation possibilities. The discussion focused on the need to build a comprehensive monitoring system for the Vardnili I water structure and on issues of population warning, autonomous ASVaV systems, and software compatibility. The Georgian side promised to send technical data based on which the Slovak consortium will prepare a project proposal.

Slovak Delegation

Ing. Peter Panenka – Deputy Director of Technical and Safety Supervision, VODOHOSPODÁRSKA VÝSTAVBA
Ing. Marian Minárik, PhD. – Head of Water Structures Safety Department, VODOHOSPODÁRSKA VÝSTAVBA
Ing. Branislav Lipták – Specialist, Water Structures Safety Department, VODOHOSPODÁRSKA VÝSTAVBA
Ing. Martin Kvetko – Specialist, Water Structures Safety Department, VODOHOSPODÁRSKA VÝSTAVBA

Georgian Partners

Georgian Amelioration:

Giorgi Khmelidze – Director for Technical Issues
Zurab Kajaia – Executive Head of Operations
Tamaz Chankseliani – Head of Technical Monitoring Office, Water Resources Division
Tamara Jaliashvili – Head of Donor Relations and International Project Management
Givi Khvedaguridze – Head of Water Resources Division
Giorgi Lobzhanidze – Head of Technical Support and Development Division

Georgian Technical University:

Zurab Laoshvili – Director of GIS Center

Consultants:

Gia Mikaberidze
Nikolaj Maslov

Project Results

The project brought valuable exchange of experience, support for future projects, and strengthening of capacities in the field of water management in Georgia. The meetings were highly appreciated and paved the way for further cooperation between professional organizations of both countries.