On 14 June IOM Georgia Chief of Mission, Sanja Celebic Lukovac met with the Mayor of Chokhatauri Municipality, Davit Sharashidze to discuss cooperation towards strengthening cohesion of the returned migrants and non-migrant members of the local community.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) joined efforts and with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the support of Chokhatauri Municipality, created a Multipurpose Community Center (MPC) for the Bukistsikhe community.

IOM also established Service Hub in Chokhatauri Municipality, one-stop-shop, with designated counsellors available to ensure access of returnees and local residents to comprehensive information on and referrals to the  State and donor supported socio-economic programmes and services for their economic empowerment. The referral guide, as a methodological tool was developed to guide professional counseling work of the counsellors.

During the meeting, Mr. Sharashidze spoke about his focus on developing activities to encourage youth engagement in Chokhatauri Municipality and Ms. Celebic Lukovac expressed readiness to work with local authorities in further addressing the root causes of emigration and strengthening support for returnees.