IOM Opens Multipurpose Community Centre (MPC) in Bukistsikhe
On 15 June, Bukistsikhe hosted the official opening of the Multipurpose Community Centre (MPC). The event was attended by the local authorities, the representatives of the Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus/Embassy of Switzerland in Georgia, UN organizations, as well as by the local population. Giorgi Urushadze, State Representative in Guria Region, Dato Sharashidze, Mayor of Chokhatauri Municipality, Danielle Meuwly, Regional Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus, Embassy of Switzerland in Georgia, Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, Sanja Celebic Lukovac, Chief of IOM Mission in Georgia and George Nanobashvili, National Programme Officer at UN Development Programme (UNDP) made opening remarks at the launching event.
The Multipurpose Community Centre was established in the Bukistsikhe community which is characterized by active migration processes – 14% of families have one or two family members in emigration or returned from migration. The centre aims to promote social relationships and cohesion of returned migrants and non-migrant members of the local community and to also encourage the abovementioned to become development actors for their community’s wellbeing.
“The community centre aims to serve as a focal point for the Bukistsikhe community for advancing the local development and revitalization agenda, with a hope of contributing to the sustainability of returns and decreasing pressure from emigration decisions,” stated Sanja Celebic Lukovac, Chief of IOM Mission in Georgia, “and for that, there are some plans that IOM and its partners have, that considers series of targeted training courses, cultural events, information sessions for women and youth, members of the community with or without migration experience, for furthering the community development agenda.”
Multipurpose Community Centre (MPC) was established in Bukistsikhe in cooperation between the UNDP and IOM with the financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in the frames of the UNDP project “Fostering Regional and Local Development in Georgia Phase 2 (FRLD2) and IOM project “Sustainable Reintegration and Community Revitalization Pilot Initiative in Communities of Return”. The latter aims to contribute to the efforts of the Government of Georgia to support sustainable reintegration of returning migrants and community revitalization, encouraging migrants and communities to become development actors. The active cooperation is thought with the local municipalities and other local development actors to promote participatory approach in reintegration of returned migrants and development of the communities of return.