Study on the Diasporas’ Contributions to the Socio-Economic Development in the Western Balkans

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).

Country of settlement Country/location of origin
Austria Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia
Germany Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo[1]Montenegro, Serbia
Italy Albania, North Macedonia
Sweden Albania, Serbia
Switzerland Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo[1], North Macedonia

[1] All references to Kosovo in this document are without prejudice to positions on status, and are in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

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

Keyword/s

#Governance

Project Contact

Veronika Bilger Maegan Hendow Ayesha Qaisrani Katharina Hahn-Schaur Bernhard Perchinig

Region/s

Europe and Northern America

Countries

Albania

Austria

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Germany

Italy

Kosovo

Montenegro

North Macedonia

Serbia

Sweden

Switzerland