Study on the Diasporas’ Contributions to the Socio-Economic
Development in the Western Balkans
The ECONDIAS Mapping Study
ECONDIAS is a mapping study with the overall objective to enhance the Western Balkan diasporas’ contribution to socioeconomic development in their countries of origin, with a focus on business diaspora and entrepreneurship, in order to increase the transfer of knowledge/skills and investments.
Case Studies
Envisaged case studies include the Western Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia) and five European settlement countries (each with selected migration corridors from WB6 to be investigated).
Settlement Country
Austria
Germany
Italy
Sweden
Switzerland
Location of origin to be investigated
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo
North Macedonia, Albania
Albania, Serbia
Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo
Project Outcomes
A mapping of business diaspora engagement (demographic profiles, policies, stakeholders, activities) across the Western Balkans and five European settlement countries
A collection of good practices and lessons learned, based on over 150 interviews conducted across 11 countries
Policy and programmatic recommendations addressing WB governments and EU
Project duration: November 2021 – December 2022
Funding: European Commission – Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
Coordination: Research Unit, International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)