European Union Global Diaspora Facility

The European Union global Diaspora Facility project (EUDiF) is a pilot project funded by the European Union’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) under the Development Cooperation Instrument. Implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) the project started in June 2019 and will run until the end of 2022.
EUDiF understands diaspora as referring to emigrants and their descendants who actively maintain links with their country of heritage and are willing to contribute to its development.
Aiming to foster an informed, inclusive and impactful diaspora-development ecosystem, EUDiF mobilises efforts to bridge the existing gaps between research findings and policy-making, experiments concrete initiatives, and initiates a laboratory of innovative ideas and policies in line with the identified priorities. Through its multi-stakeholder, consultative and participatory approach, the project aims to holistically transform interest in diaspora engagement into concrete and sustainable action.

In concrete terms, the project is articulated around four interrelated actions:

Firstly, EUDiF focuses on consolidating knowledge through mapping and research on diaspora-development policies, practices and priorities in partner countries and diaspora-led initiatives. Some outcomes are the construction of a global mapping connecting studies of 107 countries and the dissemination of case studies.

Secondly, EUDiF launches building capacity activities through its pilot project of the capacity development lab which offers demand-driven technical assistance to empower diaspora organisations in Europe and partner countries’ central and local authorities so as to enhance collaboration for development.

Thirdly, the project is promoting diaspora development expertise at different levels. One example is the Diaspora Professionals 4 Development (DP4D) initiative which provides support to partners countries via virtual and/or short-term onsite assignments of professionals from the diasporas in key sectors (digitalisation, education, health, environment, entrepreneurship).

Lastly, EUDiF is committed in enhancing partnering through diaspora consultations, regional meetings and multi-shareholders forums. The aim is to gather more knowledge by sharing ideas and best practices as well as identifying priorities to establish permanent communication channels within and between the different key stakeholders in the diaspora ecosystem.

If you are interested to know more about this project, please visit their website at diasporafordevelopment.eu