The International Organization for Migration (IOM), under the auspices of the EU-funded SAFE IBM project, successfully conducted six intensive training courses throughout December 2023 to January 2024 to bolster border security capabilities in Georgia. The training sessions, held in key locations including Telavi, Kutaisi, and Batumi, focused on the critical subject of "Profiling and Document Examination."

The training courses, attended by 120 border control officers from the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Georgia, included representatives from airports, seaports, and land border crossing points. Facilitated by expert trainers from the MIA Academy, who themselves have undergone comprehensive IOM capacity building activities over the past decade, the 2.5-day sessions served as refresher courses for the officers.

These comprehensive courses covered both theoretical aspects and interactive practical exercises. The content examined crucial areas such as profiling of travellers, interview skills, verbal and non-verbal communication, identification of impostors, and advanced document examination techniques.

Commenting on the success of the training initiative, IOM notes, "This endeavour underscores the commitment of the EU and IOM to strengthening border security and ensuring the safety of communities. By leveraging our expertise and the collaborative efforts of our partners, we aim to empower border control officers with the latest tools and knowledge, contributing to the overall effectiveness of border management in Georgia."

The project titled “Support to Integrated Border Management in Georgia” with a budget of 8.2 million Euros, is part of the broader "EU4 Security, Accountability and Fight against Crime in Georgia (SAFE)" Programme. Launched in December 2019, the project aims to enhance the legal, institutional, and operational capabilities of Georgian border authorities, contributing to the overall security landscape in Georgia and the region.