EU’s foreign affairs Office released a press release with regard to the launching of the European School in Georgia.

According to the press release, the European Union, together with the Government of Georgia, launched the European School in Georgia, the first European School outside EU borders.

“The joint initiative will lead to the establishment of a school for Georgian students, as well as students from across the region, to follow a unique education model based on European and international values of multiculturalism, peace and tolerance”, – the statement reads.

The official launch ceremony was presided by EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, and Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia.

“As European Commissioner, my priority has been to help young people in the countries neighbouring the European Union by providing them with more opportunities, developing their skills and fostering their employability. In this context, we have doubled our funding in the Eastern Partnership for youth and education and achieved significant results. The launch of the European School in Georgia is an excellent example of our commitment to bring tangible benefits to the lives of citizens”, – Commissioner Johannes Hahn said.

The School will be built next to Tbilisi’s Lisi Lake, and is expected to open its doors to the first cohort of students in 2023. Students from Georgia, as well as from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine, will be able to follow a unique curriculum that meets the high demands of the Georgian, European and international education systems.

According to the statement, this innovative initiative is based on a pilot scholarship programme launched in September 2018, which offers Students aged 16 and 17 from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine a tailor-made academic programme inspired by the European school system.