The partnership between Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Chapidze Emergency Cardiology Center in Tbilisi aims to improve the early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and enhance the understanding of these diseases among patients in Georgia. Problem: In Georgia, mortality rates are high as a result of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). There are few national prohibitions on the use of tobacco, a limited understanding of respiratory tract diseases and limited access to drugs, all of which contribute to the high mortality rates. Main activities: Firstly, staff of each partner will visit the other to share knowledge about lung function tests. Then, Georgian doctors will attend workshops and a symposium on testing and treatment methods. Courses on NCDs will also be held for patients. Short-term results: The newly acquired knowledge of respiratory tract diseases will be passed on to other regions in Georgia through a collaboration with the Georgian Respiratory Association. The workshops serve as basis for support groups of patients. Long-term results: This project will foster the early detection of respiratory tract diseases and increase knowledge about these diseases in several Georgian regions. This will enhance the survival rates of patients with NCDs.