Over the past two-and-a-half decades, IOM has supported the Government of Georgia in developing an effective migration and border management system providing a comprehensive response to evolving migration challenges in line with international standards. Present in Georgia since 1993, IOM operates through the central office in Tbilisi and four field offices in Batumi, Kutaisi, Poti, and Telavi.

Embedded in a dynamic socio-economic context of Georgia, IOM has over the years worked on various migration-related priority areas ranging from emergency and post-crisis response, immigration and border management, prevention and fight against human trafficking and smuggling, migrant protection and assistance, migrant health, labour migration and human development, has supported migration policy development and research and provided capacity-building for all migration-related structures.

International Cooperation and Partnerships

Working closely with the Government of Georgia, IOM promotes migration governance in line with international standards, based on the rule of law and migrants’ rights. Under the coordination of the State Commission on Migration Issues (SCMI), IOM supports the implementation of the National Migration Strategy and fosters regional and international cooperation and partnerships. IOM contributes to the implementation of the Georgia-EU Association Agreement and supports Georgia in maintaining its visa-free regime with the EU through a range of migration management cooperation schemes. Throughout its work, IOM upholds the principles and objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and contributes to the 2030 Agenda promoting efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Migration Governance and Border Management

Through a comprehensive cooperation with the Government of Georgia, IOM supports the establishment of effective migration governance and promotes modern migration solutions. In the key cooperation area of immigration and border management, IOM has supported the development of systems, procedures, and tools introduced at all of Georgia’s border checkpoints and provided capacity-building support to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and relevant agencies and partners-. IOM promotes labour migration management and inter-State cooperation, fostering opportunities for legal circular migration and employment of Georgian nationals in foreign labour markets. IOM promotes the economic and social development benefits of migration in the country by raising awareness and enhancing capacities at central, regional and local levels to mainstream migration into development plans and programs, to maximize its potential for local development. IOM promotes mobilization and engagement of diaspora and migrant communities in the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including investment and support for the development of modern digital solutions for liaison and interaction between diaspora and local businesses and communities.

Promotion of Migrants’ Rights and Support to Migrants and Communities

Through national and international cooperation, IOM strengthens the access to and provision of migrant-oriented services including health care and works with local population and relevant stakeholders towards a greater realization of the rights of foreign migrants in Georgia. IOM supports the assisted voluntary return and reintegration (AVRR) for Georgian nationals from 30 countries and enhances their sustainable reintegration in Georgia through provision of reintegration assistance at the individual level in the economic, social, and psychosocial dimensions. IOM also supports the revitalization of communities of return to provide an environment more favorable to reintegration of returnees and to support the local population in areas dependent on international mobility, in addition to building capacities of relevant stakeholders at all levels of governance in the area of return and reintegration. IOM also supports foreign nationals in returning from Georgia to and reintegrating in their countries of origin.

Operations and Emergencies

In close cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the International Disaster Response Network, IOM promotes the Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF) and Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM) to tackle the migration aspects of a crisis more effectively.

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