GERMIN organized a discussion roundtable on “Advocacy and Public Diplomacy of the Diaspora.” Panelists shared how their efforts have elevated Kosovo's international profile, improved diplomatic relations, and contributed to the development of social and economic initiatives. The discussion explored contributions to digital diplomacy, grassroots advocacy, and cultural promotion, highlighting the vital role of diaspora professionals in creating connections and strengthening global ties.  Behar Xharra, Co-Founder of GERMIN, began his opening remarks by sharing the inspiration behind GERMIN's creation. He described it as a seedling that initially leveraged the internet as a platform for digital diplomacy.  Blerinë Ukshini, Project Manager at GERMIN, presented the achievements and outcomes of the “Diaspora for Policy Development” project, supported by the regional Smart Balkans project. She emphasized that all activities aimed primarily to influence the improvement of policymaking processes in Kosovo by optimizing the contributions of the diaspora.  Elvira Dushku, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of Kosovo, shared her experiences within the Federation, focusing on international competitions, the development of sports diplomacy, and gender balance within the Federation.  Vartan Marashlyan, Executive Director of Repat Armenia, shared examples from the Armenian diaspora, addressing the various challenges faced by countries like Armenia and Kosovo. He highlighted the importance of having ambitious goals with practical objectives.  Ariana Krasniqi, from the Civil Diplomacy Program in Denmark, a young woman born in Germany and raised in Denmark, shared her experience and her goal to return to her country of origin and contribute to civil diplomacy.  Bahri Cani, Moderator from Deutsche Welle, Germany, shared his perspective on categorizing the diaspora into three aspects: the first wave, which migrated for economic reasons; the second wave, which migrated for political reasons; and the third wave, which migrated for educational purposes.  Avni Mustafaj, Co-Chair of GERMIN’s Board, USA, underlined the importance of civil diplomacy, starting at the individual level and extending to larger communities to achieve common goals. He shared various advocacy examples, including efforts to meet leaders and convey clear messages about objectives. He emphasized the skill of capturing attention and making others listen to our demands. The roundtable highlighted the significance of organized advocacy efforts, digital engagement, and cultural initiatives in strengthening Kosovo’s relationships and global impact. This roundtable was conducted with the support of the regional project “SMART Balkans – Civil Society for Shared Values in the Western Balkans,” implemented by the Center for Promotion of Civil Society (CPCD) in cooperation with the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) and the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM), and financially supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA). The discussions during this roundtable are the sole responsibility of GERMIN as the project implementer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).

Germin celebrated its 10th Anniversary with an unforgettable evening full of joy and meaningful moments.   Surrounded by an incredible community of friends, donors, supporters, and partners, we celebrated a decade of dedication to connecting and empowering the Albanian diaspora.   As we reflected on the past 10 years, we were reminded that GERMIN is more than an organization – it’s a movement powered by people, passion, and purpose. Together, we look forward to building more bridges, creating more opportunities, and driving meaningful change.   Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this milestone so special!   A special thank you goes to our extraordinary donors and sponsors - German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), USAID’s Private Sector-Led Workforce Development Activity, IBAS world, Theranda Wine, and Uje Mokne — for making this unforgettable evening possible.   We also extend our gratitude to the sponsors of the silent auction: Ariana Nila Jewelry, Fitore Syla, Brows by Fjolla, Butrint Morina, Dhe by Granita, and Theranda Wine.

Dr. Zamira Pode Hirsch, a diaspora professional residing in Luxembourg, is providing expert mentorship to Arieta Pozhegu, Executive Director of the Association of Wood Processors of Kosovo (AWPK). Dr. Zamira, an expert in regional collaboration with a Doctorate in Business Administration, is deeply committed to supporting her homeland while advancing its alignment with European standards and integration processes. Zamira kicked-off her mentorship engagement with a visit to Kosovo to closely explore and gain firsthand insights into the wood processing sector. During her visit, she connected with local producers and businesses, visited manufacturing sites and showrooms. Dr. Zamira Pode Hirsch, during her Peer-to-peer mentorship Her trip also included a panel speaker participation in the 7th Edition of the Wood Industry Convention of Kosovo, organized by the Association of Wood Processing of Kosovo (AWPK). Dr. Zamira Pode Hirsch, during the 7th Edition of the Wood Industry Convention of Kosovo, December 2024, Credits: AWPK. As a panel speaker in the ”The Wood Industry: Potential and Export” panel - Zamira firstly expressed her gratitude to USAID and GERMIN for creating linking opportunities between diaspora professionals and the Kosova’s sectors. Zamira shared that the sector has many “hidden gems” and untapped potential, emphasizing the need to enhance visibility and promote Kosovo’s strength while addressing European Union (EU) requirements such as carbon emission standards, labor rights, and quality assurance. Kosovo's wood industry has unique qualities that could make it a competitive player in international markets if adequately promoted.  Dr. Zamira’s observations and data collected during her visit will guide her ongoing mentorship with the AWPK’s leader. Through structured sessions under the Peer-to-Peer Diaspora Mentorship Program, she will work to address the Wood Sector Council’s strategic needs and identify practical solutions to advance the sector. A critical focus will be leveraging connections with Luxembourg and the broader EU market to foster innovation, enhance competitiveness, and meet EU standards. Dr. Zamira's approach highlights Kosovo’s existing strengths in the wood processing industry while emphasizing the importance of improving visibility and aligning EU standards. She noted that Dr. Zamira’s commitment to tangible results ensures her mentorship will be a cornerstone for advancing the Wood Processing Council’s impact, making it a key player in Kosovo’s journey toward economic growth and European integration. USAID Private Sector-led Workforce Development Activity, implemented by IREX, and Germin is partnering within the component of diaspora mentorship.