On December 12, 2023, IOM Bulgaria marked the successful conclusion of the "Awareness Raising for Labour Mobility in Bulgaria" project with a comprehensive closing event. This initiative, jointly implemented by IOM Missions in Bulgaria, Armenia, Moldova, and Georgia was implemented with the support from the National Program of the Republic of Bulgaria Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund 2014-2020, co-funded by the European Union.

Radoslav Stamenkov, Head of Office of IOM Bulgaria, set the stage with an opening speech, providing an insightful overview of the project's goals, accomplishments, and broader impact on labor mobility. Lars Lonnback, Chief of Mission of IOM Moldova, extended greetings, highlighting the collaborative efforts that made the project successful.

Gergana Bacheva from IOM Bulgaria took on the role of the event's moderator and delved into a detailed presentation, offering a comprehensive overview of the project's implementation and the tangible results achieved.

The event featured distinguished speakers, including Ms. Tamara Torosyan, Deputy Head of the Integrated Social Service, MLSP Armenia, and Ms. Lilia Plugaru, Chief of Labour Migration Department of the National Employment Agency of MLSP. Their insights added depth to discussions on the project's impact on labor mobility dynamics.

Noteworthy embassy figures, including H.E. Mr. Armen Edygaryan, Ambassador of Armenia in Bulgaria, and H.E. Mr. Otar Berdzenishvili, Ambassador of Georgia in Bulgaria, attended the event, underscoring the diplomatic importance of the project.

The business perspective was elucidated by a representative of the Bulgarian Industry Association, who presented key facts and figures related to labor migration from Georgia, Moldova, and Armenia to Bulgaria. The presentation also shed light on challenges faced in fostering a more extensive economic exchange between these countries.

Representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Moldova and Bulgarian business entities added further layers to the discussion, providing valuable insights into the practical implications and future prospects of the project.

The closing event served as a significant milestone, highlighting the collective achievements and strides made in enhancing the safety and management of labor mobility. It showcased the meaningful impact of collaboration between nations, organizations, and stakeholders, setting the stage for future initiatives aimed at fostering safer and more efficient labor mobility in the region.