On 16 October 2023, a hybrid event was organised to kick off the EMLINK project that aims at strengthening bilateral cooperation between Belgium and Georgia by designing a pilot temporary mobility model for outstanding entrepreneurs. The event has gathered the main stakeholders of the project representing both countries and key players in the field of migration management, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Since its inception in September, the project has gained declared support and high interest from the public and private sectors both in Georgia and Belgium. As it was highlighted by the representatives of DG HOME and the Delegation of European Union to Georgia, this pilot initiative is targeted to promote a safe environment for institutional dialogue around professional mobility between the two countries offering innovative solutions. Full readiness and support towards the successful implementation of the project were expressed by all project stakeholders in particular Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA) and Startup Georgia (association of startups in Georgia) to contribute to the further development of the startup ecosystem in Georgia through establishing respective links with Belgium. The readiness for cooperation was reiterated by the Director General of the Immigration Office of the Federal Public Service Homeland Affairs of Belgium and the H.E. Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium.
The event participants presented their thematic expertise in the areas of labour migration in Belgium and Georgia with the focus on labour as the main driver for legal migration; circular migration and mobility schemes; priorities in the economic development of Georgia and the role of Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency in promoting startup eco-system and innovation sector in Georgia; an overview of Georgia’s startup eco-system and entrepreneurial sector. The presentations were followed by active discussions with the ICMPD EMLINK project team and keynote speakers.
A short video clip summarising the main objective and goals of the project was also presented at the event and is disseminated through all available information channels.
The EMLINK Project is funded by the European Union through the Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) on behalf of Belgium.