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.

For example, the Albanian diaspora has played an important role in introducing traditional products such as wine, organic foods, and handicrafts to international markets. Diaspora members and networks have acted as intermediaries, helping local businesses penetrate new markets and offering opportunities to develop trade agreements. Additionally, diaspora professionals have shared their knowledge to improve the quality and competitiveness of local products, enabling them to meet international standards and succeed in broader markets (Facilitating Diaspora Investment).

Although these efforts have produced positive results, the diaspora’s full potential remains underutilized. Clear mechanisms to structure and enhance economic cooperation between the diaspora and local institutions are often missing. Greater focus on strengthening this collaboration would allow a direct impact on building local capacities and accelerating economic development. Such cooperation could contribute to export diversification, job creation, and strengthening the international image of the homeland. The diaspora’s role as a strategic partner for sustainable development of international trade remains essential for economic growth and the country’s integration into the global economy (The Role of Remittances in Developing Countries). Through direct diaspora support, access to new markets can improve and knowledge and technology exchange can be stimulated (Diaspora as a Bridge for Kosovo’s Economic Development).

Currently, Kosovo faces several challenges related to its integration into international markets. Its economic structure is dominated by imports, while exports remain limited and concentrated in a few sectors such as metal processing, textiles, and agricultural products. Greater diaspora involvement in these sectors could have a direct impact on increasing and diversifying exports. Administrative barriers, lack of international certifications, and limited recognition of local brands in global markets hinder export growth (The Contribution of the Diaspora to Kosovo’s Economic Development).

In this context, the diaspora can play a key role in addressing these challenges through several ways:

1. Continued Promotion of Local Products and Services
   The diaspora can serve as ambassadors for Kosovo’s products and services, promoting their quality and uniqueness in countries where they reside. This could include:
   • Opening stores featuring Kosovo products.
   • Organizing fairs and events to promote local products.
   • Using social media and media platforms to raise awareness about local brands.
2. Assistance with International Certifications
   The diaspora can help secure international recognitions by:
   • Providing contacts to meet international standards.
   • Acting as intermediaries between Kosovo businesses and certification organizations.
   • Financially supporting quality improvement and production standards.
3. Support for Exporters
   • Offering training and mentoring to new exporters in Kosovo.
   • Assisting with preparation of export documentation.
   • Providing information on trade policies and regulations in destination markets.
4. Creating a Positive Image for Kosovo
   The diaspora can help improve Kosovo’s international perception by promoting:
   • Kosovo’s cultural heritage and unique crafts.
   • The skills and talents of Kosovo’s youth across various fields.
   • The country’s stability and economic potential for foreign investments.
5. Channeling Remittances for Development
   Beyond remittances for consumption, the diaspora can channel funds into economic projects and initiatives that boost exports, such as:
   • Funds supporting start-up businesses.
   • Investments in export-supporting infrastructure (warehouses, logistics, etc.).

Conclusion

The diaspora’s international experience, professional knowledge, and networks built abroad can serve as important resources for promoting exports, improving local product quality, and creating opportunities for trade partnerships. Furthermore, the diaspora plays a significant role in improving Kosovo’s image by presenting its cultural heritage and economic potential in global markets. However, the lack of a structured mechanism for cooperation between institutions and the diaspora limits its impact. This situation hinders export diversification, the implementation of international standards, and building a strong image for Kosovo as a country with sustainable economic potential. Kosovo’s institutions should develop specific policies and mechanisms to strengthen the diaspora’s role as a strategic partner in economic development and integration into international markets.

Recommendations

Kosovo’s institutions should establish a national platform for cooperation with the diaspora to enable connections between local businesses and diaspora professionals, provide information on international markets, and channel remittances into sustainable economic projects.

Moreover, mechanisms should be introduced to improve international certifications and standards by funding training for exporters and facilitating international recognition of local products. Additionally, promoting Kosovo’s image through diaspora networks should be supported by organizing international fairs and marketing campaigns that highlight the quality of local products, cultural heritage, and the country’s economic potential.

This analysis 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 content of this analysis is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).

The following text offers ideas and proposals on ways to enhance cooperation between businesses in Kosovo and diaspora networks, aiming to expand their reach into international markets.

Starting a business in Kosovo that also serves international clients is not easy.

Especially before visa liberalization for Kosovo, obtaining a visa for an event, B2B meeting, or trade fair to present a product was very difficult due to many procedures. Fortunately, entrepreneurs from Kosovo no longer face this problem. Now, the path is open to penetrate all global markets.

What routes can a business from Kosovo follow to enter international markets? One of the most common ways businesses use is trying to gain international clients through connections with relatives in the diaspora. Often, a brother, sister, or cousin introduces Kosovo entrepreneurs to international clients. In some cases, migrants themselves become clients of their relatives in Kosovo, and because of their location abroad, they are considered international clients. This can later be used as a portfolio for Kosovo businesses, making it easier to gain clients of other nationalities such as German, American, and others.

According to statistics published by Albinfo, based on data from the Kosovo Statistics Agency, around 850,000 Albanians from Kosovo live worldwide. All these 850,000 could potentially be “ambassadors” of Kosovo in a positive light. If a new spirit developed, where each member of the diaspora took personal responsibility to promote Kosovo as a suitable place for investments, it would greatly facilitate the business process for entrepreneurs in Kosovo.

Visa liberalization has brought an increase in the movement of people and investors in recent years. What would further help is for influential individuals on social media to play a more active role, offering greater access for Kosovo businesses to foreign markets.

Influential People and the Importance of Personal Branding

There are many definitions of a brand. One is: the sum of all audience experiences with the company/product—image, reputation, trustworthiness. The same applies to personal branding, except it concerns a single individual.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend to leverage personal brands, and this opportunity would be very useful for Kosovars in the diaspora to promote Kosovo as an ideal place for investments. There are many influential people in the diaspora, especially in arts and music such as Dua Lipa, Rita Ora, Bebe Rexha, or in the arts like Fadil Berisha. Many of them mention Kosovo in interviews or podcasts they participate in. If Kosovo continues to be mentioned more frequently, directly or indirectly, this would have an impact.

Useful Information is Key
Sometimes just one contact, information about a certain fair, or a business opportunity abroad can open many doors for Kosovo businesses. For this reason, it is very important for businesses to cooperate more, especially those in the same field. For example, if a business from Kosovo producing doors and windows has penetrated foreign markets, this shows that there is still room for more producers in that market. Here, it is essential for manufacturing or service businesses to cooperate among themselves, creating business networks first within Kosovo and then also with the diaspora, whether in the form of chambers, communities, organizations, or informal meetings to share ideas and collaborate.

Many businesses from Kosovo face difficulties in transportation. In this aspect as well, the diaspora can help by offering support in finding the best logistics solutions in cooperation with institutions in Kosovo.

Recommendations:

• Creation of Professional/Specialized Communities and Networks:
  Establishing communities and networks between Kosovo and the diaspora is very important for businesses in Kosovo, as well as for investors and diaspora networks. Communities focused on entrepreneurship would significantly help Kosovo businesses penetrate foreign markets. It is also important that these networks are specific and more professional (narrower in scope).
• Creation of a Connecting Platform:
  A platform linking diaspora businesses with those in Kosovo, as well as foreign investors with Kosovo businesses, would be a great help to all. The platform should include detailed information about the types of businesses, their capacities, and size, to facilitate investor decision-making.
• Improvement of Communication:
  Consulates and embassies should help promote Kosovo’s brand. Also, communication between diaspora networks and businesses in Kosovo, as well as between institutions and businesses, needs to improve significantly.
• Organization of B2B Conferences and Meetings:
  Frequent B2B meetings would help increase awareness and cooperation among businesses, as well as explore new opportunities.
• Utilization of Existing Platforms:
  Besides creating a new platform, existing platforms such as AlbanianYellowPages.com and Albinfo.ch should also be leveraged, as they offer access to diaspora networks.

Various platforms ease communication, such as the diaspora business network, mergata-info, or the Rrefim Suksesi platform.

This analysis 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 content of this analysis is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).

Main Challenges in Preserving and Teaching the Albanian Language Abroad

One of the biggest challenges faced by Albanian language teachers in the diaspora is the lack of a unified system of teachers and their organization. In many countries, Albanian language teaching depends on voluntary initiatives by teachers and local associations. This leads to a lack of coordination and different curricula that sometimes do not fit the students’ needs. For example, in Germany, where many Albanian communities exist, Albanian language teaching is not standardized. Some teachers work with curricula approved by the Ministries of Education of Albania and Kosovo, while others create materials from scratch. This lack of a uniform approach makes it difficult for students to follow a clear path in learning their mother tongue.

Another major problem is the lack of financial and institutional support. Many teachers work voluntarily, without pay or assistance from the countries they live in. In some cases, even when a law allows Albanian language teaching, bureaucratic procedures and lack of funding make its implementation difficult. For example, in Turkey, where there is an agreement between the governments of Kosovo and Turkey for Albanian language teaching, public schools are suspended until 2025. This leaves teachers and parents in an uncertain position, making it hard to maintain and cultivate the language in that country.

Problems with textbooks and curriculum represent another obstacle. Although a curriculum approved by the Ministries of Education of Albania and Kosovo exists, schoolbooks are not always suitable for the needs of students in the diaspora. Often, students come from families where Albanian is not actively spoken, requiring a more specialized approach and adapted materials. Furthermore, the diversity of classes, where students of different ages and language proficiency levels share the same learning environment, makes teaching even more challenging.

Recommendations for Preserving and Promoting the Albanian Language Abroad

To overcome these challenges, a clear and coordinated plan is necessary.

First, a unified curriculum should be developed and implemented in all countries where supplementary Albanian language teaching takes place. This curriculum must be flexible and adaptable to the different needs of diaspora students. The Ministries of Education of Albania and Kosovo should lead this effort, ensuring all teachers have access to the necessary materials and resources.

Another important step is increasing financial and institutional support from the home countries. Teachers in the diaspora should have the opportunity to work under better conditions, with salaries and logistical assistance. This also includes support for the nostrification of diplomas so that teachers can integrate into local educational systems. Moreover, cooperation between Albania, Kosovo, and the countries where Albanians live should be strengthened, so Albanian becomes an elective subject in local schools.

Improving textbooks and creating a digital platform are two other important steps. Textbooks should better fit the needs of diaspora students, taking into account the diversity of classes and language proficiency levels. A digital platform would ease communication between teachers and allow the exchange of materials and experiences. This would be especially useful for teachers working in different countries who need a common source of information.

Regular training and seminars for teachers in the diaspora are also essential. These trainings should focus on teaching heterogeneous classes and using technology in education. Additionally, opportunities should be created for Albanian language certification so that it gains international recognition as an important global language.

Conclusion

Preserving the Albanian language in the diaspora is a national duty that requires the commitment of all institutional and non-formal actors, a well-structured approach, and sustained support. Without a unified program, institutional support, and materials tailored to student needs, individual efforts remain fragmented and hard to develop in the long term. Coordination between educational institutions in Albania and Kosovo, funding for teaching, teacher training, and digitization of resources are key steps to ensure the continuity of the Albanian language as part of cultural and national identity. To achieve concrete results, stronger institutional engagement and sustained cooperation among all involved parties are essential.

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This article was produced 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 content of this article is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).

During the upcoming election process in Kosovo, a total of 104,924 voters are expected to vote using different methods. The majority of voters, 67,421, will send their votes by mail to postal boxes outside Kosovo. Meanwhile, 17,104 voters are expected to send their votes by mail to postal boxes inside Kosovo, and 20,399 voters will vote physically at diplomatic missions. These projected figures reflect the diaspora’s commitment to participate in the election process by using the options and channels that suit them best.

Countries Leading with the Highest Number of Registered Diaspora Voters:

• Germany leads with the highest number of registered voters, 44,774, representing about 42.7% of the total diaspora voters. This highlights the strong presence and active engagement of the Kosovar diaspora in Germany.
• Switzerland follows with 27,248 registered voters (25.9%), also showing significant involvement of Kosovars living there.
• France, Sweden, Austria, and Italy follow, with numbers ranging from 3,810 to 4,629, collectively making up about 16.2% of the total.

Representation by Continents:

• Europe dominates, including most voters living in Germany, Switzerland, France, and neighboring countries such as Austria, Italy, and Nordic states.
• America contributes significantly with 2,509 voters, and Canada with 1,045 voters.
• Other regions such as Australia (145 voters), United Arab Emirates (22 voters), and some countries in Asia, Africa, and South America show smaller but diverse representation.

Trends by Regions:

• Western Europe has the highest concentration of voters, with countries like Germany, Switzerland, and Austria leading.
• Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) contribute over 5,000 voters, reflecting active diaspora engagement in Northern Europe.
• Southeastern Europe, including Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia, shows moderate involvement.

Although most voters are concentrated in European countries and North America, there is evidence of global engagement, with registered voters even from Kazakhstan (19 voters), New Zealand (10 voters), and South Sudan (7 voters).

The data shows that the Kosovar diaspora plays a crucial role in the election process, especially in countries like Germany and Switzerland, which together account for nearly 70% of all registered diaspora voters. This strong engagement underlines the importance of the diaspora in shaping Kosovo’s democratic processes and the need to continue improving access and facilitation of voting mechanisms for citizens living abroad.

The data is sourced from the Voter List for the Parliamentary Elections of the Republic of Kosovo – Central Election Commission.

Current Challenges

Albanian youth and students in the diaspora face a number of challenges that hinder their sustainable organization and effective networking. One of the most noticeable problems is the lack of sustainable structures in areas where there has been no tradition of community organization. Although interpersonal connections exist and students often maintain contact with each other, the lack of a shared entity or platform makes it difficult to coordinate activities and projects. Individual efforts often remain fragmented and fail to have the desired impact on the community or on links with the homeland. In some cases, even where there are community associations and organizations, their structure is often weak, and the lack of institutional and financial support exacerbates the situation.

In some countries, such as Switzerland, the diplomatic representations of Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia have played an important role in supporting student communities. But in other countries, diaspora representations have been reported as often having no right to participate in public activities, leaving organizations without a trusted institutional partner. Moreover, the lack of financial support from Albanian entrepreneurs and individuals, as well as from state institutions, has created significant gaps in financing projects and activities that could help the community. This situation also appears in the case of Albanian schools in the diaspora, which often operate with limited resources.

Another important challenge is the impact of politics on student associations and organizations abroad. The involvement of political parties from Kosovo and Albania has created a polarizing and fragmented environment, often resulting in strong divisions that hinder joint activities. Various associations have become arenas for political party support, pushing away young people who want to contribute independently. An example is the association in Geneva, where its members were closely linked to a political party. This association not only temporarily removed the terms “apolitical” and “nonpartisan” from its statutes but also continued to use the organization’s social platforms for political activities, even after the departure of its members. Similar situations have been reported in Lausanne and in the Albanian student federation in Switzerland, where political divisions have hindered cooperation and created an unsafe environment for organizations aiming to maintain an independent and unified stance.

Additionally, divisions between Albanians from different regions of the nation represent another challenge. Albanians from North Macedonia, the Presevo Valley, Montenegro, and Cameria often feel left out by Albanians from Albania and Kosovo. This feeling of exclusion comes from the lack of their inclusion in activities by organizations or any institutional support addressing them directly. This challenge highlights the need for a more inclusive approach from all parties to ensure that every Albanian, regardless of regional origin, feels part of a common and equal nationality.

Creating a Unified Platform

The role of technology is a very important theme for the diaspora. A large number of Albanian students are oriented towards information technology (programming, engineering, etc.), and it is in the national interest to use their skills as solutions to our challenges. Technology can help overcome geographic and time barriers. Using digital platforms and mobile applications can facilitate collaboration between Albanian students in different countries around the world.

A great example of organizations that have created virtual platforms to support students worldwide is “NAYORA” – The National Assembly of Youth Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Lithuanian World Youth Association “Pasaulio”. Through these platforms, these organizations have built communication and collaboration bridges, offering educational resources and support for youth, no matter where they are located. These initiatives have helped strengthen connections between students and promoted equal access to global educational opportunities. Furthermore, Albanian organizations also used virtual platforms during the pandemic for national and cultural activities, bringing Albanians together in a virtual environment. However, technology is not a sole solution. The lack of a unified platform for all Albanian students in the diaspora remains a major barrier. A mobile application dedicated to networking and coordination would be extremely useful in uniting Albanian youth around the world.

Recommendations

To address the challenges of youth and student organization in the diaspora, here are several concrete recommendations that can contribute to strengthening networking, collaboration, and the positive impact of Albanian youth and students in the diaspora:

Creation of a Unified Platform for Albanian Youth and Students in the Diaspora: One of the main challenges identified is the lack of a sustainable and inclusive structure that unifies the efforts of young people. Therefore, it is vital to create a unified platform that will serve as a forum for all Albanian youth and student associations. This platform should:

• • Allow the sharing of experiences and resources.
  • Create spaces for the development of joint projects and activities that strengthen academic, social, and cultural ties.
  • Provide opportunities for members to meet (even when traveling in a city).

Development of a Mobile Application and Digital Platform for Albanian Diaspora Youth Networking: To overcome geographical and time barriers, a mobile application could serve as an effective solution for bringing Albanian youth into a shared space. This application should offer:

• • Easy registration for Albanian students and youth worldwide.
  • Space for virtual events, thematic discussions, and sharing experiences.
  • Opportunities for professional, academic, and social networking.
  • Features that allow collaboration on joint projects, resource sharing, and building strong connections with countries of origin.

Preservation of Organizational Independence from Political Influence: One of the major problems identified is the interference of political parties, which has led to the polarization of associations and weakened cooperation among youth. To prevent this, it is recommended that:

• • The statutes of student organizations clearly emphasize political neutrality and prohibit political interference.
  • Oversight mechanisms be created by parent organizations to ensure the independence of associations and new organizations.
  • State and diplomatic institutions provide support but maintain a neutral political stance in relation to these organizations.

Increasing Inclusion of Albanians from All Regions (Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, the Presevo Valley, Montenegro, and Chameria): To address divisions and feelings of exclusion among Albanians from different regions, it is essential for organizations to be inclusive. This can be achieved by:

• Creating internal rules that promote diversity and inclusion.
• Providing equal opportunities for all Albanians, regardless of regional origin.
• Undertaking special initiatives to encourage the participation of Albanians from North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Chameria in national and international activities.

Encouraging Academic Links through International Programs like Erasmus+: International programs such as Erasmus+ can play a key role in strengthening connections between Albanian students in the diaspora and institutions in the countries of origin. For this:

Albania and Kosovo should intensify efforts to involve more Albanian students in these programs.

• • • Student associations in the diaspora can create partnerships with local universities to promote opportunities for academic exchanges.

Drafting a Manual for New Organizations: The establishment of new organizations often faces numerous challenges. To ease this process, a manual or guide could be created containing:

• • Recommendations for structuring and managing associations.
  • Guidelines for accessing financial support and resources.
  • Proposals for ways to collaborate between existing and new associations.

Raising National Awareness for Youth in the Diaspora: To avoid divisions and the sense of “marginalization,” it is crucial that every organization, institution, and individual works to promote a sense of national belonging. Activities and projects should emphasize common values and traditions, encouraging greater unity among Albanians.

These recommendations offer a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges and leveraging the extraordinary potential of Albanian youth in the diaspora. Through cooperation, organization, and sustainable support, these initiatives can have a strong and lasting impact on the development of the Albanian community both within and outside the country.

Co-authors:

Arbër Gashi, Representative of the “Shoqëria e Re” Association, Switzerland.

Andi Zhaveli, President of the Albanian Student Organization “Vlera,” Belgium.

This article was created with the support of the regional project “SMART Balkans – Civil Society for Shared Values in the Western Balkans” implemented by the Center for the Promotion of Civil Society (CPCD) in collaboration 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 content of this article is the responsibility of the authors alone and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).

There comes the idea of OriginAL, a program launched by GERMIN and Global Albanians Foundation which aims to provide a free educational trip for the Albanian Diaspora Youth. As Victor Hugo, the French poet and novelist once said, “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come“, we believe that this is the time for such a program to be implemented. 

The OriginAL program was born out of a need to give young people in the Diaspora the opportunity to get to discover their roots. The second and third generations of young people in the diaspora are naturally exposed to diverse communities, but not very much embodied in their native or original culture and countries. New dynamics of migration among Albanians have made it difficult for the parents to pass on ties with their homelands to their descendants. Meanwhile, home countries such as Albania and Kosovo, have not yet built institutional mechanisms to stay close to the new diaspora communities and keep them connected to the origin. OriginAL as well as the name itself is unique in many dimensions. Origin and AL means ‘Albanian Origin’ and is dedicated to all those young people who for one reason or another have not been able to connect to their country of origin.

That is why we have designed such a program, which will bring for the first time this year 40 young adults from the diaspora to Albania and Kosova for a two-week free educational trip. The application form was opened on May 25th and will continue until June 15th. While the program will take place in August 10-22, 2022. It is enough to show the Albanian origin (of at least one Albanian parent or grandparent) in order to be eligible to participate. 

OriginAL aims to strengthen the connection of the diaspora youth with the countries of their ancestors,  strengthen their Albanian identity, and connect them with their peers living in Albania and Kosova.

The program has been modeled based on the Israeli model, particularly that of Taglit – Birthright Israel, which has inspired other similar initiatives such as Birthright Africa, Reconnect Hungary, Birthright Armenia, etc. In order to get acquainted with the program, the co-director of GERMIN, Lirim Krasniqi, and the project manager, Arbnor Mjeku, visited Israel beginning of June, where they studied closely how their program is curated and implemented is realized in this country. 

As a pilot year, we aim to bring at least 40 young Albanians from around the world to Albania and Kosovo for two weeks in August 2022, to build this number to hundreds and then to thousands of young Albanians from all over the world in the years to come. The trip will start in Prishtina, capital of Kosova which vibrates positive energy during the summer, and will end – in the capital of Albania – Tirana. Meantime, OriginAL participants will have the opportunity to visit and feel some of the most remarkable landmarks of the homelands and hear about stories that will stay with them for a lifetime.

More information about the program can be found at www.original.org.al

Numerous and frequent visits of the Albanian diaspora to the homeland, especially during holiday seasons, have taken on the dimension of what is called “diaspora tourism”. These types of visits have a potential to influence tourism development and its related sectors. In order to capitalize on diaspora tourism, it is necessary to take into account some factors from the homeland perspective:

1. Understanding the motives of diaspora visits. First of all, it is very important to understand the motives that push diaspora members to visit the homeland so often. This is because their experience and impressions are shaped by the motives of the visits. Consequently, entities that provide services or products should keep in mind that if someone has come with the main purpose of reminiscing with relatives and homeland, he / she has less time to spend on other activities. Therefore, touristic offers must be tailored to demand – specific and clearly defined in time and space.
2. Local and authentic oriented tourism. Diaspora tourism by nature creates or already has strong links with the local economy, to which the diaspora contributes greatly. Diaspora tourists are mainly looking for local and authentic experiences and products. Therefore, for them the quality is more important than the quantity of things. This is very important for the local economy, as the cultivation and promotion of products has a multifaceted effect in many other sectors such as: cultural and historical heritage, handicrafts, agriculture, livestock, etc. Moreover, it should be noted that the local economy can build a comparative advantage in tourism by cultivating and offering local products and authentic experiences rather than imported ones.
3. Direct support to the local economy. Diaspora tourism is characterized by not very exclusive or expensive trips. Visiting local and often unknown shops, eating in traditional local restaurants with local owners, sleeping in small, less popular places, etc, is what makes in general diaspora tourism in the homeland. According to global data, the diaspora tourist spends on average less than a regular foreign tourist. Not because of financial impossibility but because of knowledge and desire for local experiences. Diaspora tourists also buy or order directly to local suppliers rather than through intermediary operators, thus directly supporting small local economic operators.
4. Putting in the map “unknown” places. By visiting places that ordinary tourists do not visit as much as e.g. rural destinations on the occasion of family visits, local cultural or sports events, natural attractions with poor transport infrastructure, diaspora tourists put new places/locations on the tourist maps of the homeland countries. This affects the geographical distribution of tourist destinations and increases the quantity of the offer for foreign tourists over time, while boosting local and a balanced regional development within the country.
5. More than seasonal tourism. While most tourism is seasonal, diaspora tourism may last longer. A large part of the diaspora members visit the homeland outside of the holiday season as well, because of the family visits as well as lower travel costs. This is an element that can lead to the extension of the holiday season, thus affecting the sustainability of tourism and revenues coming from it.

Given the driving factors for diaspora tourism, even if supply does not change, the number of visits is unlikely to fall, at least from the first generation of immigrants. The motives shape the experiences (even if negative) of this group as well as their assessment for services they get during the homecomings. “Diaspora tourists” are likely to disregard the quality of services in the country when making the decision to revisit the homeland. Consequently, it is assumed that there is a lack of demand for increased service quality. 

However, the changing dynamics and demographics/generations of the diaspora will change over time the push factors for homeland visits. This may affect the number and intensity of diaspora visits to the homeland depending on the offer and quality of services we provide. New generations in the diaspora have less emotional ties to the country of origin, hence fewer motivating factors to visit it.

Therefore, from the perspective of tourism development, it is necessary to discuss the offer of Kosovo as a major tourist destination for the diaspora. There is potential to turn diaspora homecomings into catalysts for tourism development, but there is also a risk that this potential will be lost if we do not properly understand current demand and trends.

This opinion was motivated by the organization of the first edition of the festival “Go-to Sharr Fest”, where, among other things, was the discussion of ‘tourism and diaspora’ topic.

The impression is created that many organizations in Stockholm, Basel, Ankara, Toronto, Baden-Baden, Zagreb and other places where the Albanian Diaspora lives today, follow more or less the same motto: the bigger the national flag the more valuable the organization. The stage usually belongs to someone from the Albanian pop scene and the whole organization ultimately offers a lot but at least something Albanian. I can of course most closely evaluate the organizations in Germany, the country where I live, and I conclude that most of these organizations do not differ much from those of the first 30 years.

The Diaspora has changed so much in the last three decades that I doubt that such organizations are the cultural address of most of our compatriots. I do not want to criticize their existence or why and how often these activities are organized but I think it is time to seriously rethink the content of their program. A generation of young people who have come at a young age or even born in the Diaspora, should be offered the opportunity to finally get acquainted with the genuine Albanian culture. In the homes where these young people live, they probably do not have the opportunity to get to know our culture for various reasons, so the associations remain the ones that have to take on this task. When someone takes the step of establishing an association and calling it “cultural-Albanian”, I think it should focus on providing genuine cultural activities. Maybe just to answer the question “what is real culture?” there is disagreement. It does not mean that everyone offers operas, theatrical performances, or literary readings in large halls but some standards would have to be rethought and redefined but also respected so that once and for all oriental turbo-folk would disappear, if not from all, even from most of our organizations.

It has never been easier to organize cultural activities than today. This is often evidenced by some associations established in recent years which brought to their scenes Albanian artists who live in large numbers in the Diaspora. Also, various poets and authors live in the Diaspora and in the countries where it operates, the Albanian school and its students bring a great potential but also the engagement of artists from home countries, although associated with relatively high costs, is not impossible.

When it comes to the necessary material means, the situation is not as bad as claimed. Although not enough, there are funds, starting in municipalities and regions (at least in Germany and some other European countries) to the funds of the European Union. The Ministries of Culture and the Ministries of Diaspora of Kosovo, Albania and Northern Macedonia also have funds for cultural activities in the Diaspora. To get all these means you have to compete in certain competition deadlines and not only when there is a need for an association e.g. a few weeks before the activity. These funds belong to the associations and they should ask for those funds because I have not yet heard that any institution in the home countries has come out and asked the associations where they are in the Diaspora to offer assistance.

Embassies and Consulates could even play an important role in this regard as advisors and supporters in terms of logistics. I am curious whether I will change something with the name of Cultural Attachés announced a few weeks ago by the MCYS of the Republic of Kosovo. It would be good to include here many other artists living abroad who, although extremely successful, are still under the shadow of Dua Lipa and Rita Ora.

There has been a lot of talk about the opening of Cultural Centers in the Diaspora planned by the Governments of the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Kosovo. But it seems that these plans have remained on paper which is very depressing because those centers could play an important role in the cultural reorganization of the Diaspora.

In addition to providing Albanian culture to new generations in the Diaspora, cultural activities are an excellent opportunity and form of cultural diplomacy. In the activities of associations in the Diaspora, there should be as many fellow citizens of different nationalities as well as representatives of the bodies of the countries where they live. To get acquainted with the culture but also with our community.

The activities of several associations in different countries of the Diaspora are promising, which are offering a more alternative program, meeting to some extent the demand of compatriots, especially the younger generations, but also being the favorite address of guests of different nationalities. Some of them participated in a discussion at the Conference “Diaspora Flet” organized by the organization Germin. In addition to exchanging experiences, during the conversation, the panelists concluded that cooperation between associations but also greater engagement of artists in cultural activities, especially those living in the Diaspora, is necessary. Forms of cooperation can be different, such as a joint organization of cultural activities, organization of a workshop to help newly formed associations or interest groups to establish an association, support of young artists in promoting their work, etc. why not the establishment of a cultural platform in the Diaspora that would unite associations and artists, a union that would have extraordinary importance in the cultivation and promotion of Albanian culture in the Diaspora.

About the author: Mr. Salihu was born in Mitrovica and lives in Germany since 1992. Throughout his tenure in Germany, Mr. Salihu was actively engaged in sport and culture through which he maintained connections with his home country and identified collaboration opportunities. Mr. Salihu is one of the co-founders of the cultural association URACult, established in 2014, the core objective of which is to actively promote Albanian culture in Germany. As a President of URACult, Mr. Salihu actively participates in the work of Albanian community in Germany.