At a meeting of the Diaspora and Caucasus Issues Committee, members were briefed on the implementation of the State Programme for Reintegration Assistance to Returned Migrants in 2024, as well as the activities planned for 2025.

The presentation was delivered by Giorgi Tsagareishvili, Deputy Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia. He outlined the main components of the programme, which include temporary housing, medical assistance, vocational training and retraining, one-time financial support, and funding for social initiatives. Additionally, the programme covers sports and arts courses for minors.

According to the Deputy Minister, the programme targets Georgian nationals or stateless persons who resided abroad illegally for over one year, had applied for or were granted asylum, and those who register with the reintegration programme within one year of returning to Georgia.

“Within one year of registration, citizens are eligible to receive reintegration services", - G. Tsagareishvili explained.

Regarding future plans, Davit Kaikatsishvili, Acting Head of the Department of Social Protection, IDP and Labour Policy, informed the committee that under the Migration Issues Governmental Commission, the ministry, together with integration working group agencies, international partners, and local organisations, is preparing a new policy document for the reintegration of returned migrants. He also noted that an electronic system for administering the state reintegration programme will be completed later this year.

Committee Chair Irakli Zarkua emphasised that facilitating the return of compatriots from abroad is a key dimension of Georgia’s engagement with its diaspora.

“Supporting the return and reintegration of migrants is a vital part of the state’s diaspora policy, both in its development and implementation", - I. Zarkua stated.

The committee meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimer Konstantinidi; Head of the Department for Relations with the Diaspora Mukhhran Gulaghashvili; Executive Director of the Secretariat of the Governmental Commission on Migration Issues Tamta Babunashvili; and IOM Georgia Coordinator Natia Kvitsiani.