A mill in Kvemo Nikozi: A small initiative transforming community life

Twice a week, Shorena Metreveli, a resident of Kvemo Nikozi, opens the gate to her neighbour Elza Batsikadze’s property and, even when Elza is not at home, uses a small mill installed in the yard to grind her corn free of charge.

Shorena is 50 years old. She is primarily engaged in household farming and caring for her child. She keeps cattle, pigs and poultry, which means she also has to provide them with feed. This is why she needs to grind corn. In addition to Shorena, around 80 local residents regularly visit Elza’s yard to use the mill.

“We always grew corn, but we could not use whole kernels for our livestock and poultry,” Shorena says, “so we either took it to Gori or Karaleti to be milled, or bought ground corn directly. Of course, this required additional time and money. Now everything is much easier. We come whenever it is convenient for us. Elza does not even charge us for the electricity.”

Kvemo Nikozi is located in Gori Municipality, along the Administrative Boundary Line. Elza Batsikadze first came up with the idea of purchasing a mill for the village two years ago: she became involved in the localization of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and, with the support of UN Women and the IDP Women Association “Consent”, first attended trainings and then learned that she could also apply for funding for a local community initiative through the same project.

“There are many vulnerable people here, and some women live alone,” Elza says. “They struggled a lot with grinding their corn, yet almost everyone kept poultry. When there was a call for proposals, I thought I would apply for funding for a mill, thinking that if it worked out, I could at least help my community a little. Then I asked around, and everyone really liked the idea.”

The initiative was funded. As there was no communal space available, Elza installed the mill in a visible spot in her own yard for everyone’s use. “We are all very grateful,” says Shorena, who has once again come to Elza’s yard to grind corn. “Before, I used to keep only 10 chicks because I could not afford the feed for more. Now I have raised 20. I also struggled a lot with raising piglets, but this year I sold one and kept another for myself. I think [Elza] figured out well what the village actually needed.”

Residents of Kvemo Nikozi know that it is free to use the mill. Their gratitude gives Elza even more motivation. “I am always thinking about how I might get another opportunity to help my fellow villagers,” she says.

A peace ambassador working for her community

Elza Batsikadze is 44 years old. She was born in Takhtisdziri, a village near the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) in Kareli Municipality, and moved here after getting married. During the August 2008 war, when Kvemo Nikozi was completely deserted, many residents never returned. Elza and her husband came back to their original household in the autumn with their 18-month-old child. They found their house severely damaged, but they repaired it with their own hands and continued their lives there. They have two children now.

Elza is a teacher by training, and she has also completed nursing courses, although entrepreneurship is her main occupation now. Under the brand name “Nikozela”, she produces a variety of cheeses for tasting, supplies local wine cellars with her products and frequently participates in fairs.

Elza is actively involved in community life and volunteering. Since its establishment, she has been a member of the Network of Women and Youth Peace Ambassadors, a platform created with the support of UN Women to empower local women and youth living near the ABL and increase their participation in public life. Elza says that the Network’s meetings and the exchange of experiences among women are particularly inspiring for her.

“Whenever I hear something new, I immediately start thinking about how I can adapt it to my village,” she notes. “I make plans. At these meetings, it becomes clear that women’s participation is hugely important. Their vision is deeper, and the work they do is effective and productive. Long-term goals cannot be achieved without women.”

In 2024–2025, UN Women, with the generous support of the UK Government, implemented the project “Accelerating Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia” in partnership with the IDP Women Association “Consent”, the Women’s Information Center and the Charity Humanitarian Women Fund “Sukhumi”. The project aimed to localize the Women, Peace and Security agenda in conflict-affected communities and villages near the ABL while empowering local women and young people. Through training and advocacy activities, the participants assessed community needs, identified priorities and planned various community initiatives to improve the daily lives of local residents. A total of 36 such initiatives were implemented during 2024 and 2025, including the purchase of the mill for the residents of Kvemo Nikozi.

The project resulted in many challenges being addressed: efforts in such areas as infrastructure and safety, environmental protection and health, livelihoods, education and youth engagement, recreation and well-being had a positive impact on more than 10,000 people.

The establishment of the Network of Women and Youth Peace Ambassadors was also a part of the same project. Although the project has now ended, the Network member women and young people continue their work. Elza is among them and remains actively engaged in advocating for the needs of her community. “Being a member of the Network is an important responsibility,” she says. “Whenever something breaks down in the village, I always try to bring it to the attention of the relevant persons and look for solutions.” She wishes to see a beauty salon and a sewing workshop opened in Kvemo Nikozi. The village currently has neither, and the local residents have to travel elsewhere to access these services. Achieving these new goals would not only benefit the local community but also create employment opportunities for women.