According to administrative data, 105,277 persons forcefully returned to Guatemala in 2019. Approximately, 30 percent of Guatemalan migrants returned to the departments of Huehuetenango, Quiché, and Sololá during 2019. 

Considering the Guatemalan Government initiatives QUEDATE centers and the Regional Attention Offices for returning migrants, and IOM comprehensive research on push factors in municipalities of origin, IOM proposes this project to strengthen potential and returning migrant youth capabilities to improve their livelihood under a human security paradigm by providing market-driven technical and vocational training. While also upgrading government facilities to provide effective environments for the provision of humanitarian services to ensure a comprehensive and lasting response.

The project is divided into two components: 

1. Improve market-driven technical education and learning environments for potential and returning migrants; 
2. Expand access to humanitarian assistance and services for potential and returning youth migrants.