The two-day Diaspora4Innovation Conference focused on a central question: How can Albania turn diaspora knowledge, experience and professional networks into long-term institutional cooperation?

Through panel discussions, practical sessions, a keynote address, an interactive lab, an artist session and a university leadership roundtable, participants explored diaspora engagement, higher education, entrepreneurship, research, technology and artificial intelligence.

The conference also presented the results of the Diaspora4Innovation initiative:

• 554 students reached
• 11 partner universities
• 11 diaspora scholars and 15 scholars based in Albania
• 9 jointly designed and 14 jointly taught courses
• 14 research collaborations
• 22 diaspora mentors
• 71 start-ups supported, including 44 women-founded start-ups

Participants agreed that institutions need clear priorities, dedicated contact persons and practical systems to sustain cooperation with diaspora professionals. They also stressed the need to connect university education with real projects, employers, mentors and innovation organisations.

The conference ended with a university leadership roundtable, where representatives from 11 public and private universities discussed how to continue the partnerships developed through the project. Proposed next steps include mapping university needs and diaspora expertise, appointing contact persons within universities and developing new teaching, research and mentoring activities.

On behalf of the European Union, Germany and Sweden, EU4Innovation supports GERMIN in implementing Diaspora4Innovation.

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Through the stories of OriginAL alumni, guests had the chance to better understand the impact of the program. OriginAL is not simply a visit to our homelands. For many young people, it is a meaningful journey of identity, belonging, and connection to Albanian roots.

The New York City event marked an important achievement for OriginAL. During the evening, we raised $96,570 in support of the program. Following the completion of the June cohort, OriginAL now looks ahead to the upcoming cohorts in August and November, and to other young people still waiting for this opportunity.

For the 2026 program overall, we have now raised $131,000 toward our goal of $200,000, which will help support at least 100 participants.

We are deeply grateful to the key donors whose leadership made this evening possible and set a strong example of investing in our shared future.

Legacy Donors

$10,000 * 10 years / +4 scholarships * 10

Viosa and Richard Lukaj, Lukaj Family Foundation
Mark Kosmo
Miranda and Ardi Shita, Shita Family Fund
Elvin Guri

Generational Donors

$10,000 / +4 scholarships

Eglantina Kica, Kica Kraut Foundation
Mira and Dorjan Puka

Leadership Donors

$5,000 / +2 scholarships

Stefan and Liz Kochi
Guljed and Eni Birçe
Danny Blloshmi

Event Supporters

$2,500 / 1 scholarship

DK Construction One Corp.
Albanian American Muslim Community Center Waterbury
Florent Ilazi
Massachusetts Albanian American Society, MAASBESA
Albanians for America

We also thank the many additional supporters who contributed to the evening and helped move this mission forward.

You can revisit the night through the event photos here: [photos link]
And the event page here: [event page link]

Thank you for being part of this Global Albanian Network.

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The conference will bring together diaspora professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, academics, institutions, and partners to exchange ideas, build connections, and explore new ways to turn global Albanian expertise into local impact. As the closing conference of the Diaspora4Innovation project, it will also reflect on achievements, lessons learned, and future opportunities for continued collaboration.

Join us for two days of discussions, networking, and new opportunities that support innovation, education, entrepreneurship, and collaboration across borders.

On behalf of the European Union, Germany, and Sweden, EU4Innovation is supporting GERMIN to facilitate the circulation of Albania’s global knowledge locally.

Register here

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Organized by GERMIN, this special event celebrated the success of the OriginAL program, which offers young members of the Albanian diaspora a fully funded two-week journey to discover their roots in their ancestral homeland.

During the evening, attendees had the opportunity to hear remarks and presentations from Anila Hyka Smørgrav, Lirim Krasniqi, and Avni Mustafaj from GERMIN, as well as inspiring speeches by the Albanian author based in Switzerland Shqipe Sylejmani and the event’s keynote speaker, football legend Lorik Cana. They shared powerful reflections on identity, belonging, and the role of the diaspora in shaping our shared future.

The evening culminated with the screening of a short documentary about one of the OriginAL cohorts, followed by stories from program alumni from Switzerland — Djellza Lahu, Elira Neziraj, and Trim Zejnullahu — as well as Paola Gjergjo, an alumna of the 6th cohort, who traveled all the way from Sweden to attend. The event concluded with a live musical performance by Arjeta Zuta & Leutrim Aliji.

From the heart, a special thank-you goes to all sponsors and partners who made this evening possible: Global Albanians Foundation, Swiss Albanian Network, SOHO Zürich, Diaspora Economic Forum, the eksperts, Think B, Vali Ranch, Avni Gallopeni, and Mark Kosmo.

OriginAL will continue its presence in Zürich and across Switzerland with more inspiring stories, special gatherings, and opportunities to get involved.

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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.

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What will we discuss?
This discussion will focus on maintaining national identity and its impact within the Albanian diaspora. Topics will include:

• The role of younger generations in preserving language and culture.
• The influence of globalization on identity formation.
• Challenges of maintaining identity in different social and cultural contexts.

Why should you participate?
This discussion aims to provide a space for reflection and exchange of ideas about diaspora identity, offering concrete ideas on how to preserve and strengthen our connection to our roots.

To be part of this discussion, register via the following link: https://bit.ly/49EODpP

Date: December 23, 2024 – Time: 18:00 – Platform: Zoom

This event is organized by Germin as part of the regional project “SMART Balkans – Civil Society for Shared Values in the Western Balkans.” The project is implemented by the Center for Promoting Civil Society (CPCD), in collaboration with the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) and the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM), with financial support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA). The topic of this meeting is solely the responsibility of Germin and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).

Join us for a fruitful discussion!

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Bringing Together Kosova’s Diaspora

We had a diverse group of diaspora professionals at our gathering. They have been key players in various projects by GERMIN and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora’s Citizen Diplomacy Fellowship Program. These individuals have been making a real difference in their homeland by sharing their expertise and knowledge across many sectors, including policy-making, policy development, project writing, technology, fundraising, media, and public relations.

Inspiring Stories and Fresh Ideas

During the breakfast event, we were presented with compelling narratives showcasing the contributions of professionals to Kosova. The stories emphasized the positive impact made by the diaspora in various areas, including technological advancements, healthcare enhancements, and educational improvements.

The event also served as a brainstorming session, where participants shared new ideas to further enhance their contributions from the diaspora to the local communities. There was a lot of excitement as people discussed innovative ways to strengthen the connection between the global diaspora and our homelands.

Acknowledging the Power of Community

This event was more than just a celebration; it was a heartfelt thank you to our diaspora for their ongoing support and contributions over the years. Their commitment has been crucial to Kosovo’s success, and this gathering was a way to acknowledge and honor their efforts.

Building a Stronger Future Together

At GERMIN, we believe that the diaspora is a key asset to Kosova’s future. We aim to co-create by working together to drive positive change and innovation. We’re committed to strengthening these important connections and creating more opportunities for collaboration.

Over the past five years, through the Engaging Diaspora Professionals Platform, we have facilitated the engagement of over 120 global professionals in Kosova and Albania.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to build on this momentum and continue fostering partnerships that will benefit Kosova. With the support of our global community, we are confident in our ability to create a brighter future for everyone.

Join us in celebrating Diaspora Day and stay connected with GERMIN as we work together to empower our communities and build a better future for Kosovo.

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The session began with opening remarks from Mr. Mehdi Halimi, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in France, and Mrs. Anila Hyka Smørgrav, Co-Director of GERMIN’s board and member of the Albanian Diaspora’s Coordinating Council. Their welcoming speeches set a warm and inclusive tone for the event.

Ms. Sihana Bejtullahu, Co-Executive Director at GERMIN, introduced the Engaging Diaspora Professionals (EDP) program to the audience. She highlighted the transformative opportunities the program offers and its significant impact on connecting the diaspora with their homeland.

The event concluded with an interactive discussion, where participants shared their ideas and proposed innovative solutions, paving the way for future initiatives to strengthen the ties between Kosovo and its diaspora.

These sessions are not only pivotal for GERMIN’s ongoing projects but also crucial in enhancing our mission to forge stronger connections between Kosovo and the global Albanian diaspora.

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The roundtable, titled “International Partnerships and Diaspora Investments at the Local Level“, brought together key institutional stakeholders, investors, and experts from Kosova and the diaspora to evaluate Kosova’s current investment landscape.

The discussion explored opportunities and obstacles, with experts from the diaspora emphasizing factors conducive to investment in Kosova. These included the importance of a supportive business environment and centralized access to relevant information for foreign investment.

Discussions identified agriculture, construction, education, energy, information technology, and tourism as the most promising sectors for diaspora investment. Additionally, the roundtable highlighted the significant contributions of the diaspora to Kosova. Moreover, it emphasized the role of remittances in this regard. Furthermore, it discussed strategies for enhancing diaspora integration into Kosova.

The event also addressed deficiencies and critical challenges requiring attention from institutions and municipalities.

The second roundtable focused on “Catalyzing Local Development through Diaspora Engagement and International Partnerships“. Participants included representatives from municipalities, institutional bodies, and civil society.

Discussions revolved around the potential of twinning municipalities to enhance collaboration between Kosova and municipalities abroad. We explored the advantages and impacts on economic development and cultural exchange. However, we also highlighted challenges such as insufficient diaspora statistics, project scarcity, and the need for innovative approaches to connect municipalities with Kosova’s diaspora.

Other key points included emphasizing interdepartmental coordination, establishing diaspora clubs in municipalities, investing in ICT and tourism, and addressing mutual unfamiliarity between municipalities and diaspora potential. Participants also raised concerns about investment attraction strategies and the availability of economic zone spaces.

Representatives from municipal levels shared insights, outlining steps, challenges, and requirements for establishing channels linking these institutions with the diaspora.

GERMIN will compile a report with recommendations for central and local level institutions, based on discussions held at these tables.

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