The diaspora’s contributions to the homeland do not happen only in August and are not measured solely by remittances. They happen every time a professor, engineer, artist, or doctor living abroad decides to share their knowledge, experience, and network with their country of origin. Today, on Kosova Diaspora Day, we have a reason to celebrate the success of one of GERMIN’s most meaningful programs, Engaging Diaspora Professionals, which is transforming the way the diaspora contributes to the country’s development.

For decades, Albanians living abroad have helped the economies of Kosova, Albania, and the region through remittances. But the diaspora story does not end there. Beyond financial support, the knowledge, professional experience, and international networks of our diaspora are invaluable assets that they put in service of their homelands’ development. When this asset returns to the country of origin, it generates long-term impact, strengthening local capacities and driving political, economic, and social development.

What is the Engaging of Diaspora Professionals Program and how does it work?
The Engaging Diaspora Professionals program, run by GERMIN, brings experts from the diaspora for short-term engagements, from 3 weeks to 6 months, with institutions, civil society organizations, businesses, and universities in Kosova and Albania. The goal is for professionals to exchange and share knowledge, skills, information, and experiences with institutions, organizations, and companies in their homelands, filling the gaps that often exist within them.

Over more than 10 years of activity:

• GERMIN has built a database of tens of thousands of Albanian professional profiles worldwide.
• Over 1,000 professionals from 17 countries have registered on the program’s online platform.
• More than 150 professionals have been engaged in the past 5 years, most traveling to Kosova and Albania at various times, while others have contributed remotely.
• The total engagement so far includes 314 work weeks and 445 hours of online mentoring.

Through the digital platform diasporaprofessionals.germin.org, every diaspora professional can:

• Register and identify projects that match their expertise.
• Connect with institutions, CSOs, and companies that need professional assistance.
• Exchange experiences with other diaspora professionals and build bridges of cooperation with their country of origin.

From Idea to Impact: Success Stories from the EDP Program
The EDP program is not just a list of statistics. It is a collection of human stories showing the tangible impact of knowledge returning home.

1. From Germany to Podujeva – Neritan Hoxha, a Full Stack developer in Germany, contributed to his hometown by creating an application for the Municipality of Podujeva. This tool provides detailed data on the municipality’s schools and villages, helping teachers and education staff plan resources and address students’ needs.
2. From London to Tirana – Arta Statovci, an Artificial Intelligence and Strategy expert, mentored the startup Commercey / Bot Medics Care, guiding it from a traditional model to an AI-driven business. Through strategic advice and practical use of digital tools, she helped the company increase investment, expand into new markets, and position itself on the global health sector stage.
3. From Switzerland to Kamenica – Orhan Sylejmani, a mechanical engineer, analyzed the state of urban and public transport in Kamenica and provided concrete recommendations for improvement, helping the city offer more efficient services for citizens.
4. From Austria to Prishtina – Fevzi Kafexhiu, a materials scientist, worked with Termokos, analyzing data from existing projects and providing recommendations for greater efficiency and sustainability in energy management.
5. From Greece to Prishtina – Dea Lulaj, a medical sciences professional with experience in Sweden, collaborated with the National Association of Autism in Kosove (ANAK). She brought practices from the Swedish system, offering recommendations for medical services, diagnostic tools, education, and family support for children with autism.
6. From Germany to Prishtina – Besa Maraj, a climate and energy consultant, worked with the Municipality of Prishtina in drafting the energy efficiency regulation. With her expertise, she helped develop measures for energy savings, environmental protection, and more sustainable city policies.
7. From Switzerland to Prishtina – Adhurim Haxhimusa, an energy expert and professor at the University of Switzerland, collaborated with BONEVET Prishtina to develop a training program on renewable energy. He delivered an inspiring speech to youth, emphasizing the importance of energy transition and collective responsibility for environmental protection.

These stories show that the diaspora does not only contribute financially but also brings ideas that turn into concrete projects, mentorships that empower local professionals, and connections that last.

Why does this matter on Diaspora Day?
On this special day, we remember that the diaspora is not far away. It is present in every project, every application developed for a municipality, and every economic strategy shaped with expertise brought from abroad.

GERMIN’s EDP program is a model of how we can channel this potential, turning the diaspora’s love and commitment into tangible development for the country. Beyond remittances, the diaspora’s knowledge, experience, and professional networks are the wealth that is building new bridges for the future of Kosova and Albania.