Whose experience Ukraine can inherit to attract diaspora: the example of Lithuania and the Balkan countries

Socportal visited the presentation of a report on global practices of diaspora engagement and tells us which countries Ukraine plans to follow as examples.

The current role of the Ukrainian diaspora

As the experts noted, financial support from the diaspora to Ukraine is an important aspect—remittances remain a major source of foreign currency, and after Russia's full-scale invasion, the volume of remittances increased significantly. This has helped many families through the most difficult times. However, the role of the diaspora goes far beyond financial assistance, according to the Ukrainian government.

Today, effective use of the diaspora's potential is of key importance. These are people who not only support the country financially, but also become ambassadors of Ukraine abroad, who are able to lobby for the country's interests and influence international politics," Deputy Minister of National Unity of Ukraine Oleksiy Lukashuk said during the event.

As noted, numerous rallies and actions organised by diasporas have significantly raised the international community's awareness of what is happening in Ukraine. Also their role has been significant in helping Ukrainian refugees, as well as preserving cultural ties. Given this experience, one of the Ministry's priorities is to create a sustainable infrastructure for the integration of the diaspora into Ukraine's reconstruction processes.

We are working to make Ukrainians abroad feel that they are an integral part of Ukraine. It is extremely important for us to build effective mechanisms of interaction, thanks to which the diaspora will be able to make the maximum contribution to the restoration and development of the country, - said the Deputy Minister.

To make this process effective, experts advise Ukraine to pay attention to the examples of other countries with large diasporas.

Interaction with diasporas: what experience Ukraine should inherit

According to experts from the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and Maastricht University, the three most suitable examples for Ukraine in engaging with the diaspora are Albania, Serbia and Lithuania.

Albania: digitalising diaspora engagement

Albania has a diaspora of about 1.7 million people out of a population of 2.7 million within the country. Central to the approach to its integration is the creation of specialised state agencies such as the National Agency for Diaspora Affairs and the Coordination Council.

One of Albania's key innovations is the Connect Albania platform, an online tool aimed at attracting foreign direct investment through diaspora networks.

The Albanian experience shows that digital platforms significantly simplify the process of interaction with the diaspora and make it more productive," said Julia Mori, an expert at Maastricht University.

Such platforms allow diaspora members to be directly involved in the country's economic development, facilitating investment and business start-up procedures back home.

However, Albania also faces a number of challenges, including institutional instability, lack of quality communication and difficulties in updating diaspora data. These challenges have become important lessons for Ukraine, which will have to avoid similar mistakes.

It is crucial for Ukraine to take into account the experience of Albania and create a sustainable institutional infrastructure to avoid communication and bureaucratic problems," says ICMPD expert Lisa Bezververenko.

Serbia: focus on talent return

Serbia is emphasising initiatives aimed at bringing professionals and specialists back to the country, thereby preventing the drain of human capital. The main LinkUp Serbia platform serves as a channel of communication between Serbs abroad and the country's economy, encouraging the return of skilled professionals and investments.

A special feature of the Serbian experience is the active involvement of local authorities.

The Serbian experience clearly demonstrates the importance of local government involvement and its role in the effective integration of returning emigrants," the authors of the study say.

According to them, this decentralisation approach has shown its effectiveness, as municipalities can respond much more quickly and accurately to the needs of returning professionals and their families, providing them with the necessary conditions for comfortable integration and productive work.

Ukraine, as noted by the participants of the presentation, it is important to use this example by developing local mechanisms for diaspora engagement and creating local infrastructure to support them. This will allow the country not only to retain but also to increase the number of highly qualified specialists so necessary for post-war reconstruction.

Lithuania: A comprehensive approach and long-term strategy

Lithuania, through programmes to attract emigrants back to the country, has managed to stop negative demographic trends and even achieve a positive migration balance.

According to experts, the central initiative is the "Working in Lithuania" programme, which combines economic incentives and cultural integration of returning specialists.

The Lithuanian model allows us to clearly see the advantages of systemic work with the diaspora, which includes not only economic but also cultural integration," stressed Liza Bezververenko.

Lithuania has implemented a comprehensive strategy coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, like previous countries, actively uses digital tools to facilitate interaction with the diaspora. At the same time, creating a positive image of the country abroad is also an important component, which encourages emigrants to return and invest in the development of the national economy.

Lithuanian practitioners, according to the event organisers, emphasise the need for a comprehensive approach. And their inheritance from Ukraine will not only allow Ukrainians to return home, but also create conditions for their full inclusion in the country's development.

How the diaspora can preserve cultural ties with the homeland

In the above examples, experts emphasise the importance of preserving cultural ties with the homeland, thanks to which effective interaction between the state and the diaspora becomes possible.

Preserving national identity among Ukrainians abroad is one of our main tasks. The diaspora becomes a powerful conductor of culture, language and traditions of Ukraine outside the country, - said Deputy Minister Oleksiy Lukashuk.

In these cultural initiatives, according to him, both traditional and innovative approaches play an important role.

Global holidays and cultural events

The experience of countries such as Italy and Ireland demonstrates the importance of regular cultural events and celebrations. Italy actively supports a network of cultural institutes abroad that promote Italian culture and language. Such experience can be successfully adapted by Ukraine.

Already now the Ukrainian diaspora is actively organising large-scale cultural events and festivals around the world. For example, Days of Ukrainian culture, festivals of vyshyvankas, exhibitions and concerts of Ukrainian artists.

Diaspora cultural events abroad are a unique opportunity to show the richness of Ukrainian traditions to the whole world, strengthening both internal and external ties of Ukraine, - said expert Liza Bezverververenko.

Creation of Ukrainian schools and centres of Ukrainian cultural heritage

One of the key tasks of identity preservation is teaching the young generation of Ukrainians abroad their native language and traditions, noted the participants of the presentation. Ukrainian schools, which are actively created by the diaspora around the world, serve not only as educational institutions, but also as centres of Ukrainian life abroad.

The experience of countries such as Lithuania shows that educational programmes and cultural centres are the main tools for maintaining ties with the diaspora for many generations, - stressed the expert Julia Mori.

As indicated, it is especially important to pay attention to the younger generation, which may lose touch with the homeland without regular and systematic support.

Language courses, summer camps, cultural exchanges - all these are important elements of Ukraine's national strategy for working with the diaspora.

The experts also noted the importance of creating specialised cultural heritage centres that can unite different generations of emigrants, providing an opportunity to study Ukrainian history, culture and traditions more deeply. They can serve as platforms for educational programmes, exhibitions, cultural events, as well as be centres of support for national initiatives.

These centres can become a kind of "points of attraction" that will allow the diaspora to become more actively involved in the development and support of Ukraine.

Digital platforms and cultural integration

Experts believe that digital technologies significantly expand opportunities for cultural interaction. The introduction of innovative digital platforms will allow Ukrainians abroad to participate more actively in the cultural life of the country.

Digitalisation can significantly strengthen cultural ties by creating a virtual space where Ukrainians from all over the world can actively interact and share cultural experiences," Julia Mori said.

Already existing initiatives, such as the Diya app, can be significantly expanded and used not only to provide administrative services, but also for cultural integration.

Diaspora and peace building

The Ukrainian diaspora, like the diasporas of many other countries caught up in war, has significant potential to participate in post-war reconstruction and peace-building. According to the experts, international experience shows that emigrant communities are key actors that can influence peace negotiations and reconciliation processes within a country.

ICMPD and Maastricht University experts have studied in detail the experience of several countries whose diasporas have played an important role in the post-war reconstruction and reconciliation process.

• In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the diaspora was actively involved in reconciliation processes and the creation of inclusive memorials. These cultural projects played a key role in overcoming the consequences of the ethnic conflict and promoted dialogue and trust between different population groups. It was the diaspora that initiated and organised many events aimed at bridging historical divides and fostering national unity.
• In Sri Lanka, the Tamil diaspora played a significant role after the end of the civil war. Members of the diaspora were actively involved in rebuilding housing, creating new jobs and developing small and medium-sized businesses. It was thanks to the active involvement of the diaspora that many affected areas were able to quickly regain economic stability and return to peaceful life. Sri Lanka's experience is particularly relevant for Ukraine in the context of reconstruction of war-affected regions, where the diaspora can become an important resource for economic revival.
• Somalia is also a prime example of a country where the diaspora has been actively involved in rebuilding infrastructure. After prolonged conflict, many emigrants returned home, bringing with them investment and expertise. Somalia's diaspora has funded the construction of schools, hospitals and roads, which has greatly accelerated the country's economic and social recovery.

The Ukrainian diaspora, which has already proven its effectiveness in international advocacy and humanitarian aid, can make an equally significant contribution to the post-war reconstruction and reconciliation process, experts believe. Many Ukrainians living abroad have not only financial resources but also expertise that could be extremely useful in the country's recovery from the Russian invasion.

One of the key areas where the participation of the Ukrainian diaspora can be particularly significant is international advocacy. The diaspora is already active in this area, organising actions, demonstrations and campaigns to inform the international community about the situation in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian diaspora is already an active participant in the international dialogue on the future of Ukraine. Its efforts in the field of international advocacy are of strategic importance and should be actively supported by the state," emphasised Julia Moli, an expert at Maastricht University.

In addition, the diaspora can play a key role in the process of economic recovery of the most affected regions. Direct investments and expert advice from the diaspora can significantly accelerate the economic revival of the regions. Creating specialised investment platforms and mechanisms to attract diaspora resources is an important task for the Ukrainian authorities.

What Ukraine needs to do to bring people back

Earlier Socialportal wrote that the return of millions of people is a strategic goal for the Ukrainian government. Many Ukrainians also want to return. However, to a safe, developing country, where they will be able to apply their new knowledge and experience gained abroad. Various programmes are already being considered to encourage the return of citizens once the war is over:

• construction of affordable housing and compensation for destroyed homes.
• grants and programmes to create jobs and support businesses.
• education for children and additional classes for those who studied abroad to make up for the Ukrainian programme.
• psychological services for returnees to help them overcome stress and re-adapt at home.

At the same time, while these programmes have not been fully implemented, poverty becomes a significant factor in leaving Ukraine.