According to Tbilisi City Hall, the European Youth Card programme has officially launched in Georgia, unlocking over 25,000 discounts for young Georgians across Europe.

The City Hall also noted that the European Youth Card is a European initiative supported by the Council of Europe, which has been providing travel opportunities to 9.3 million young people across the continent for the past 40 years.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze addressed those gathered at the event marking the card’s launch, noting that it creates a wealth of opportunities for millions of young people in travel, leisure, culture, sport, and beyond.

“Last year, we already informed the public about this initiative, and now we are moving to the direct fulfilment of that promise: from this point forward, young Georgians will have access to the European Youth Card, because we want young Georgians never to feel as though their access to opportunities is in any way limited. The card opens the door for Georgians aged 18 to 30 to over 25,000 discounts across Europe, and creates a wealth of opportunities for millions of young people in travel, leisure, culture, sport, and other fields. Remember, this card is not merely about discounts. It is about new experiences, new opportunities, and an ever deeper connection with the European space,” said the Mayor of Tbilisi.

Kaladze further noted that Tbilisi City Hall carries out a range of incentive and support activities for young people within its means.

“We have programmes in sport, culture, and education, in which a great many young people participate. Each year, we endeavour to expand every programme and allow more citizens to take part, because an educated and successful young person is the cornerstone of building a country. I am delighted that Tbilisi City Hall is once again at the forefront and has been allowed to implement this vitally important programme, through which our young people will join the ranks of young Europeans. They are being offered special terms by both private companies and municipal sports and cultural centres,” said Kakha Kaladze.

Tbilisi Mayor expressed his gratitude to the representatives of Bank of Georgia, announcing that the “Youth Card” is now accessible through the bank’s mobile banking app, following the signing of a memorandum with the institution.

“I wish to express my gratitude to the central government and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze for their support and solidarity. Without their involvement, the municipality would not have been able to deliver projects of this scale. Thanks are also due to my deputy, Andria Basilaia, and to Irakli Gvilava, Head of the Tbilisi City Hall’s City Service for Education, Culture, Sport and Youth Affairs, and to every member of staff who was actively involved in bringing this important initiative to life.

We shall always stand by your side, always listen to you, and endeavour to realise ideas that support young people, so that we may make our voice heard not only in Georgia, but across the world. A great deal depends on you; a great deal depends on the energy of youth. I am certain that the love everyone of you holds for our homeland is the most important and most precious thing of all,” said the Mayor of the capital.

Further details about the European Youth Card were presented to the public by Irakli Gvilava, Head of the City Hall’s City Service for Education, Culture, Sport and Youth Affairs.

He noted that cardholders will be able to take advantage of special offers in 40 countries across Europe. At the local level, more than 50 offers are already available, covering over 600 venues throughout the country.

“The registration process for the card, available through Bank of Georgia’s mobile banking app, is very straightforward, and a one-off payment of 10 lari enables its use for the entire year. We are presenting this product after several years of work. This is not a conventional card for making transfers, but, in collaboration with Bank of Georgia, it serves a very important purpose. I wish every success to the young people who become cardholders. I believe that in a year, we will hold a significant event to reflect on what has been achieved,” said Irakli Gvilava.

Cardholders are offered special terms by both private companies and municipal sports and cultural centres. The Ministry of Culture of Georgia is also a partner of the programme, and through its support, special rates apply at 19 state museums and six theatres.

Cardholders receive discounts of between 5% and 40% on various services. The European Youth Card is available to Georgian citizens aged between 18 and 30. Detailed information about the programme and available local and international offers can be found on the official website.

Deputy mayors of Tbilisi, members of Parliament and the City Council, representatives of district administrations and the Bank of Georgia, as well as young people, attended the event.

According to Tbilisi City Hall, the programme is implemented by the City Hall, which is a licensed member of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA).