Guidelines for joint work of diaspora organizations agreed at technical meeting

23.04.2024.

Today in Sarajevo, a technical meeting of the DiaLab Social Impact Network was held, a network of organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the world that connect the Bosnian business community in the diaspora, and that advocate investments and the transfer of knowledge from emigration to the homeland. The event is supported by the United States Government through the USAID project "Diaspora Invest". On this occasion, several activities of USAID in the field of strengthening the connection of these organizations were presented.

"USAID will continue to support the connection of organizations, associations and foundations that work with the Bosnian diaspora in the country and the world. Today's technical meeting was an opportunity to share experiences, to recognize opportunities for cooperation and to create opportunities for new forms of partnerships. Through the USAID project "Diaspora Invest", we are working to ensure that activities such as knowledge transfer, connecting with the international market, summer internships for young people from the diaspora and similar activities become part of the good practices of local partners. Today's meeting is a confirmation of a good path in that direction", noted Dobrila Boba Vukmanović, project manager of the USAID Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

BH Futures Foundation, i-diaspora, Inclusive Movement for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Association for Progress in Science and Technology (ANNT), APU Network, Linnovate Foundation, BHUF, Foundation for Innovation, Technology and Knowledge Transfer (FITT), Association of Majevians in Switzerland, Australia-Bosnia-Herzegovina Chamber of Commerce (ABHCC), British-Bosnia-Herzegovina Chamber of Commerce (BBHCC), Bosnian Integration Forum and American Chamber of Commerce in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"In addition to the associations that are the closest part of the Network, today's meeting was also joined by local partners with whom we do knowledge transfer activities, such as the BIT Alliance, ABSL, the Association for Internet Trade e-Comm in BiH, INTERA Technology Park, ICBL, Tershouse, Academy387 and the Bosnian-Herzegovinian-American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAS). It is a great thing that the renowned participants of the technical meeting expressed their support for the establishment of the DiaLab network of organizations to strengthen business and the social influence of the Bosnian diaspora, within which we will jointly advocate the creation of a favorable environment for the inclusive action of groups and individuals from the BiH diaspora in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the common good of the community. Those present also welcomed the initiative for the establishment of DiaBAC, the Business Advisory Council of the Bosnian Diaspora, which will be the basis for a more significant involvement of prominent members of the business diaspora of our country in the processes of advocating the necessary economic and social changes in BiH, and the efforts of the USAID project "Diaspora Invest". to lay adequate foundations for the work and operation of this of the Council", said Armin Alijagić from the association "Naša perspektiva", which will act as the technical secretariat for the coordination of the Network.

At the meeting, it was confirmed that the potential of the diaspora originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina should be focused on the elements of knowledge transfer (mentoring), support in opportunities to export our services and products (market access), advocacy for direct investments and transfer of good practices that will improve local communities in BiH.

"Soon, the DiaLab Academy for Social and Business Impact will be born from these activities, a program focused on strengthening the social and corporate responsibility of managers and decision-makers in businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina, realized by the transfer of knowledge of business leaders and women leaders from the BiH diaspora. Also, successful examples of supported activities such as AI Hackathon (Sarajevo), Girls' Day (Tuzla), as well as knowledge transfer workshops that were implemented throughout the country were presented. One thing is for sure, together we can do much more," he concluded. is Alijagić.