Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.
Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.
Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.
Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.
This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.
Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.
This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.
Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.
This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.
Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.
This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.
Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.
This local Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of City of Batumi (Georgia) ’s governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.
Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.
The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Impact. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Migrants in Batumi have access to government-funded health services, as stipulated in the Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons (2014), which explicitly grants foreign nationals the right to health care.
- All children in Batumi, regardless of migration status, have access to education under national laws, including the Law of Georgia on Early and Preschool Education (2016) and the Law of Georgia on General Education (2005).
- The Adjara Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport provides subsidized language courses, cultural initiatives, and sports programs to facilitate the integration of migrant students into Batumi public schools.
- The Law of Georgia on the Code on the Rights of the Child (2019) guarantees equal treatment for all children, regardless of nationality, and emphasizes child-sensitive social protection measures at the municipal level.
Areas with potential for further development
- Establishing local mechanisms to provide migrants with accessible legal services and advice.
- Developing and implementing local information and awareness-raising campaigns to combat xenophobia, promote migrant acceptance, and foster social cohesion.
- Designing specific local programmes to protect migrant children in Batumi represents an opportunity for growth.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Municipal Service Agency in Batumi provides information and advice on access to municipal and national services for all residents, including migrants, through its representation offices in each of Batumi’s 14 districts.
- The Gender Equality Council, established in 2018, integrates gender considerations into Batumi’s municipal policies.
- The Batumi municipality engages with diaspora organizations, such as the Ukrainian diaspora organization Edinstv and the Georgian Azerbaijani Charity Organisation, through the Friendship House.
Areas with potential for further development
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The Batumi City lacks a local-level coordination mechanism on migration issues, and there is no local migration strategy.
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The development of a centralized platform or website providing clear information on migrants’ rights, obligations, and access to public services is an area with potential for further development.
- Regular collection of migration data by the local government.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Batumi participates in international networks promoting sustainable growth, local governance, and human rights, including Shelter City (2018), Mayors for Economic Growth (2018) and the Open Government Partnership (2017).
- In 2023, Batumi and UNHCR signed a two-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to raise public awareness about refugees and promote integration through community engagement initiatives, including plans for an Integration Centre for Refugees.
Areas with potential for further development
- Strengthening formal engagement with civil society, the private sector, and diaspora members in setting agendas and implementing migration-related programmes.
- Establishing bilateral city-to-city cooperation programmes within Georgia to address migration issues.
- Enhancing participation in international networks dedicated to knowledge exchange and best practices on migration-related issues, including support for implementing international migration commitments.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Gender Equality Council promotes gender equity in the workforce through its 2023–2024 Action Plan, which includes objectives such as employer training on gender issues, research on barriers to women's inclusion, and initiatives to support women’s access to entrepreneurship opportunities.
- In 2024, Batumi established a new workspace under the "Stimulation of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development" sub-programme, providing a dedicated space for startups from Batumi and other areas to foster entrepreneurship.
- Batumi’s participation in the Mayors for Economic Growth Initiative since 2022 has driven the development of an urban transformation portfolio, with a focus on economic diversification, supporting startups, retaining skilled young talent, and attracting external young professionals to the city.
Areas with potential for further development
- Conduct local-level assessments to monitor labour market demand and the effects of emigration on the labour market.
- Support migrant’s access to private-sector employment.
- Facilitating employment for international students in alignment with local labour market needs.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Disaster preparedness and response in Georgia are managed by the National Crisis Management Centre under the National Security Council, with legal backing from the Constitution, and laws on National Security (2015), Public Safety (2018), and State of Emergency (1997).
- The Emergency Management Service within the Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for emergency prevention, response, and recovery, with branches in municipalities like Batumi.
- In 2024, Batumi City Hall began developing a Security Passport, a risk management document designed to assess and mitigate emergency risks, coordinated with the Emergency Management Service and approved by the mayor.
- Batumi’s emergency communications include alerts via public broadcasting, electronic media, and mobile networks in multiple languages, with a unified emergency number connecting police, fire, and medical services.
- The Green City Action Plan (2019) and Medium-term Priorities (2024–2027) of Batumi commit to greenhouse gas reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable mobility to address climate-related hazards.
Areas with potential for further development
- While environmental protection has been addressed in the Batumi Green City Action Plan (2019) and the 2024–2027 Medium-Term Priorities of the Municipality of Batumi (2023), the mobility impacts of climate change have not been included in any specific plans.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Migrants in Batumi can access legal advice through the Public Service Hall, which operates as a “one-stop shop” under the Ministry of Justice, offering services like civil registration and notary services in Georgian, Russian, and English.
- Returning Georgian migrants in vulnerable situations can access healthcare, housing, vocational training, financial aid, and support for livelihood and children's activities.
Areas with potential for further development
- Establishing programmes to build capacity of local-level public servants on migration rules and migrants' rights, including cultural sensitivity.
- Establishing local measures to combat the labour exploitation of migrants.
- Developing a local policy, protocol or guidelines to respond to cases of disappearances or deaths that occur in the process of migration process.
2024 October