Dates: 7–9 November 2025 | Location: Cologne, Germany
Organized by: GERMIN, with support through GIZ – MEG, and in partnership with the diaspora organizations: URACult e.V. Köln, ODA e.V. Hamburg, OASA e.V. Berlin, Dija e.V. Munich, HorizontAL e.V. Frankfurt
Website: https://diasporaflet.germin.org/germany

Diaspora Flet 2025 in Germany marked a major step forward in diaspora engagement for Albanian-speaking communities and partner diasporas in Europe. As the first edition hosted in Germany, home to one of the largest Albanian-speaking diaspora communities in Europe, the conference created a structured space for intercultural learning, knowledge exchange, and practical cooperation across diaspora organizations, professionals, and institutions.

Read the full report HERE.

Conference at a Glance

• 159 participants across three days
• 39 speakers and moderators
• 5 thematic panels + 1 institutional session
• Diaspora organizations in Germany: 20
• MEG and partner diaspora organizations: 7 (including Nepal, Ethiopia, Germany–Ecuador, Ukraine, Ghana, Afghanistan)

Feedback survey responses: 71

• Overall satisfaction: 83.1% “very satisfied”
• Networking rated “good/very good”: 92.96%
• New connections likely to lead to cooperation: 73.24%

Why Diaspora Flet 2025 in Germany mattered

Germany is a key hub for Albanian-speaking diaspora communities, with strong local organizations, cultural initiatives, and professional networks. Hosting the Diaspora Flet in Cologne strengthened national-level connectivity among diaspora actors in Germany and broadened the conference into a multi-diaspora, GIZ/MEG-integrated platform.

Diaspora Flet 2025 demonstrated that diaspora engagement is most effective when it is structured, partnership-based, and oriented toward concrete collaboration—supporting both social cohesion and integration in Germany and development contributions in Kosovo and Albania.

Programme Highlights

Day 1: Culture, Identity, and Intercultural Exchange

The conference opened with a strong focus on culture as a driver of identity, belonging, and community cohesion. Discussions and performances emphasized cultural continuity across generations and the role of arts in strengthening diaspora connection and integration.

Day 2: Knowledge Exchange, Innovation, and Education

Four thematic panels explored:

• diaspora networks, skills and cooperation models;
• comparative experiences from MEG partner countries;
• technology and innovation ecosystems;
• education and the importance of origin-language learning.

The day concluded with a networking reception and the screening of the OriginAL Program documentary, supporting relationship-building across generations.

Day 3: Institutional Session (Funding and Engagement Pathways)

A dedicated institutional session featured presentations by Kosova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora (MFAD) and Albania’s National Diaspora Agency, focusing on funding schemes, application procedures, and opportunities for diaspora engagement. Participants welcomed the practical information shared and expressed interest in clearer follow-up mechanisms and continued institutional outreach.

Results and Impact: What the conference achieved

• Stronger diaspora networks in Germany: Participants reported meaningful connections across cities and organizations, reinforcing the need for a more connected diaspora ecosystem and more structured collaboration formats.
• Cross-diaspora learning through engagement with multi-cultural diasporas: The presence of diaspora organizations from MEG partner countries created tangible value through comparative dialogue—highlighting shared challenges (capacity, sustainability, integration, youth engagement) and practical solutions that can be adapted across contexts.
• Increased awareness of institutional support and funding opportunities: The institutional session increased visibility of existing funding mechanisms and engagement opportunities offered by Kosovo and Albania. Many participants noted they were previously unaware of these schemes and expressed interest in improved access to guidance for successful applications.

What participants said: Key themes from feedback

Survey feedback and qualitative inputs highlighted that participants valued:

• the quality and diversity of speakers and perspectives;
• the international and intercultural dimension;
• the balance between culture, innovation, education, and institutional dialogue;
• professional organization and a clear conference narrative.

Participants also recommended improvements for future editions, including:

• more interactive formats (workshops, fishbowl discussions, breakout groups);
• structured side events and thematic networking spaces;
• a “Diaspora Organizations Fair” to showcase initiatives;
• more hybrid and livestreaming options to broaden access.

Priority Recommendations (Next Steps)

Based on conference discussions and participant feedback, the full report proposes a roadmap for future action. Key priorities include:

1. Pilot a multi-generational cultural engagement program for Albanian diaspora youth in Germany, combining arts, storytelling, heritage learning, and intergenerational exchange.
2. Conduct a comprehensive landscape study on Albanian-speaking diaspora organizations in Germany to better understand their profiles, capacities, funding models, and needs—supporting improved programming and evidence-based policy development.
3. Create a structured cross-diaspora exchange model (peer-learning cohorts, short exchange visits, and communities of practice) between diaspora organizations in Germany and those from MEG partner countries and Europe.
4. Develop an interactive digital platform for diaspora organizations in Germany, including a verified directory, shared calendar, and collaboration tools to improve visibility and coordination.
5. Strengthen supplementary origin-language learning, supporting diaspora teacher associations, developing modern digital materials, and enabling easier access for families (including a “class locator” tool).
6. Improve institutional outreach and coordination, including clearer and more consolidated information about funding opportunities, application guidance, and follow-up support—ideally through coordinated Kosovo–Albania mechanisms reflecting the unified nature of diaspora communities in Germany.

Read the Full Report

The complete Post-Conference Report includes full session summaries, survey analysis, lessons learned, and detailed recommendations for future programming.

Read the full report HERE.

Expanding across Kosova, Albania, and North Macedonia, participants explored 14 cities and over 70 sites, combining cultural heritage with civic learning. With strong satisfaction (88/100), increased alumni engagement, and hundreds of volunteer hours contributed, OriginAL continues to grow in both scale and impact—while preparing to expand access and strengthen its global community in 2026.

Know-how and Skills’ Transfer / Exchanges

• Know-how for Kosova’s Municipalities and CSOs

21 Diaspora Professionals have been linked with Kosova’s municipalities and Civil Society Organizations to contribute in a variety of development and capacity-building projects. From digital educational platforms to development strategies, diaspora’s know-how has been leveraged by local stakeholders. Read about one example.

• Diaspora Mentorship for Women in Politics

52 elected and prospective elective women from municipalities of Shtime, Istog, Vushtrri, Suhareka, Lipjan, Rahovec, and Podujevë were mentored by 26 diaspora experts in key areas of interest, connecting and fostering mutual learning relationships. A final conference gathered all of them, as well as institutional stakeholders. Read more.

• Regional Youth Mobility and Exchanges

GERMIN, together with partner organizations from North Macedonia and Montenegro continued the initiative “Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Mobility among Young Researchers in the Western Balkans” under the MOVE Grant Scheme, funded by the Western Balkans Fund. 6 fellows finished a 10-day fellowship in neighboring countries.

Advocacy & Diplomacy

• Diaspora Flet 2023 conference gathers over 500 attendees from 16 countries

72 hours program, 500+ participants, 74 speakers, 13 sessions, 21 partner organizations and institutions. On May 18, 19, and 20, 2023, GERMIN organized the third edition of the largest Albanian Diaspora Conference, “Diaspora Flet”, in Prishtina. Themed “How can we co-create?” – the conference aimed to explore and foster cooperation in various fields, positively affecting the diaspora communities and making significant changes in the countries of origin. Read more.

• Kosova Improves Diaspora Voting

The Parliament of Kosova has enhanced the out-of-country voting by amending the electoral law, which includes Germin’s recommendation to allow physical voting in diplomatic missions from the next elections. Read more.

The scaling up of OriginAL Program

• Two cohorts in one year: increased demand for the program

Sixty participants from 17 different countries experienced our homeland in a unique way through the OriginAL program. By visiting 15 cities, over 60 sites, and meeting hundreds of local peers, their OriginAL homeland experience was one of a lifetime. The OriginAL 2023 was one of great impact and an increased demand. We are currently fundraising for the 2024 cohorts, and your support is highly appreciated.

• A succesful Fundraising Concert in New York

An incredible show by our renown Inva Mula together with pianist Genc Tukiçi and the band was organized in New York on May 24. This event, facilitated by Fadil Berisha, gathered over 800 of the Albanian-Americans in Town Hall Theatre to support OriginAL Program and its noble mission to connect young Albanians worldwide. Mark Kosmo of the Global Albanians Foundation pledged $1 million from now to his 100th birthday.

Facilitating Export Promotion & Diaspora Market Linkages

• Kosova Women Entrepreneurs access Swiss German market

40 women entrepreneurs from Kosovo went to Düsseldorf where they had the opportunity to meet with dozens of diaspora businesses. In collaboration with Albanian-German Business Uninon in Germany, and supported by USAID Kosovo Compete, they also visited the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) of the city of Essen. Read more.

10 local businesses at the Diaspora Business Fair in Vienna

Through MARDI Project, GERMIN supported 20 local producers from Kosova to participate at the Diaspora Business Fair, organized by the Albanian Diaspora Business Network in Austria. The fair was held in Vienna on October 21, 2023. Over a hundred B2B meetings took place from companies of IT, Wood-processing, Food Processing and Textile industries. Read More.

• Linking Diaspora ICT Businesses with home country

On October 13-14, 2023, we joined the largest technology conference in the region – KosICT, to facilitate the business-to-business (B2B) meetings between local companies and those from the diaspora or with diaspora background. Dozends of companies from the ICT and related sectors explored opportunities for collaboration and partnership. Read more.

Diaspora Philanthropy

• Korçarët Ndihmojmë Korçarët

Dr. Yvonne Naum from Seattle, originally from Korça, inspired GAF to start this program by pledging  $22,500 as a start. Three projects will be initially supported to Helping Vulnerable Children at Naim Frasheri School; Roma Children at Day Care Centers, and Children with Disabilities in Korça. Watch Yvonne’s message for you.

Diaspora helping flood-affected areas in Kosova

In response to the January 2023 floods in Kosova, organizations, five diaspora-based organizations from the US and Germany initiated the “Diaspora for Kosova” fundraising campaign to support affected families and buildings. The Technical High Schools of Skenderaj and Mitrovica were supported to renovate their facilities damaged by the floods.

Diaspora Organizations Network

This initiative seeks to channel the collective influence of the Albanian Diaspora into a force for positive change. Our objectives consist on supporting Advocacy efforts of different organizations; supporting Cultural Preservation and Anti-Defamation; and empowering youth to actively engage in community-driven initiatives.