“I’m more than happy to say that I don’t think about migrating abroad anymore, as now I definitely have a dream job,” - Jumber Lomtadze. 

Jumber Lomtadze decided to leave the country and migrate to Greece in 2017. He made the decision as his family members including parents and siblings lived in Athens and he also went there to improve his living conditions. Though the expectations didn’t coincide with the reality and for 1 year Jumber wasn’t able to find an appropriate job. After a year of unemployment, he managed to start work in the furniture manufacturing workshop, where he stayed for more than 2 years, equipping himself with brand-new skills. During COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021, Jumber decided to return and through IOM Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) Program support he got back to Georgia and started smooth reintegration process.

After returning back, Jemal used his new professional skills for starting up a small business and with the financial support of EUR 1500 received in the frames of AVRR program, he purchased basic equipment and opened furniture manufacturing workshop in his own house in Didvela village, Bagdadi municipality. 

The start-up was successful though lack of professional tools prevented him from fulfilling widescale orders from the clients. Right in this moment Jemal learnt about IOM grants competition from the information-counselling-referral center Service Hub established in Baghdadi municipality by IOM “Sustainable Reintegration and Community Revitalization Pilot Initiative in Communities of Return” project and decided to participate.     

“I got interested in IOM grants program and with the partnership of the non-migrant local resident Tariel Mumladze prepared a project. Our initiative won and through IOM support we were awarded with all the professional equipment to extend the workshop. Currently we have already employed 2 locals, brand new equipment enables us to fulfill numerous orders, and all these have a positive impact on our financial conditions. I’m more than happy to say that I don’t think about migrating abroad anymore, as now I definitely have a dream job,” said Jumber Lomtadze. 

On the first stage, IOM provided Jumber and Tariel with business management and proposal writing trainings, which enabled the beneficiaries to prepare a wining project as a result of which they were awarded with much needed professional equipment of the total cost GEL 15, 440 for extending the furniture manufacturing workshop.

It’s also noteworthy that “Didvela 2022” LTD is the only furniture workshop in Baghdadi municipality and is an important facility for the locals as in case of need, instead of going in Kutaisi, they can receive high-quality service in the neighborhood, saving the time and finances either.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) implemented “Sustainable Reintegration and Community Revitalization Pilot Initiative in Communities of Return” project, through the financial support of International Development Fund (IDF) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in 2020-2023.

Photo by IOM Georgia

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