I am delighted by the diversity of the selected diaspora organisations and their projects. The 14 organisations clearly show how motivated the diaspora is to contribute to sustainable development in countries of origin. Germany also benefits from this engagement, and I am very excited to see how the organisations will support each other.

Florian Krins, MEG Head of Component “Cooperation with the Diaspora”

On 22^nd March, MEG held a training session for the diaspora organisations. The goal was to quip them with the necessary skills so that they can implement their projects as effectively as possible together with local partners. Various methods and instruments for knowledge exchange were presented and discussed. The training was also attended by four diaspora experts, who will soon be starting a short-term voluntary assignment in their countries of origin. There they will exchange their knowledge and experience with relevant local partners, from which all involved parties will benefit. 

One of the diaspora experts, Aphrodite Tahiri, will train employees of the partner organisation Down Syndrome Kosovo Association (DSK) and hence facilitate an exchange of knowledge. Loui Al Sardy, former diaspora expert and now member of the MEG Diaspora Advisory Board (DAB), contributed to the preparation of the diaspora organisations by sharing reflections on his short term assignment.