Engaging the Tajik Diaspora in Development

The engagement of the Tajik diaspora in development processes is still in its infancy. Building on the wish of the Government of Tajikistan (GoT) to draw on the potentials of Tajiks living abroad, the overall goal of this project is to assist the GoT in developing practical mechanisms in maximizing the positive impact from migration on development. To reach this larger goal, IOM will help 1) improve practical engagement of the GoT with the Tajik diaspora in development processes, and 2) increase coordination among governmental agencies and ownership in maximizing positive benefit from migration.

The activities to achieve these outcomes will include organizing a practical national forum on diaspora engagement for the GoT and Tajik diaspora members, conducting a quantitative and qualitative mapping and inventory of Tajik diaspora community, organizing a study tour to learn effective practices on engaging with diaspora, implementing joint trust building activities between the GoT and diaspora members, and updating an Action Plan on diaspora engagement. Finally, IOM and the key GoT structures involved in the broad spectrum of migration management will host a short series of joint seminars on the salient migration challenges in the country and practical means to address them, to ensure that migration is conducive to development. These joint GoT-IOM technical forum will allow the space for the GoT partners to engage the international community and civil society in identifying and discussing their priorities and plans to address emerging issues, leading towards increased coordination and cooperation across the government agencies and civil society.