On 10–11 September 2026, GERMIN brought together diaspora professionals, scholars based in Albania, university leaders, public institutions, entrepreneurs, students and international partners at the Pyramid – Innovation Hubitat in Tirana.
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.
