As her internship finalises, Alya Honarpisheh shares her reflection on how members of diaspora find their agency and why third spaces are important environments for creating it.

During my time at EUDiF, I was able to meet inspiring diaspora members leading projects with passion and vision. Especially through the interactions during the Future Forum 2025, I found myself wondering how the project members came together and established this common purpose. Moreover, I wondered how every single person felt empowered and motivated to make their ideas heard.

Through a combination of conversations with other members of migrant communities and my own experience, it became evident that many of these organisations originate from community-based environments that are often informal, everyday meeting points where people gather, exchange and gradually develop a shared sense of belonging.

These venues, often referred to as “third spaces,” are where political and social awareness begins, long before individuals engage with official institutional structures.

What are third spaces?

Third spaces can be understood as a foundational layer that precedes formal mobilisation, nurturing the political awareness and collective identity that make organised action possible. Defined as informal environments where individuals connect and shape their identities with their peers, the concept was first introduced by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, who identified cafés, cultural centres and community hubs as essential spaces positioned between home and work. Later scholars expanded this notion, adding that third spaces are not merely physical locations, but also symbolic environments where people reinterpret their surroundings and remake the meaning of belonging.

For many young diaspora members who navigate multiple cultural, social and political worlds simultaneously, third spaces provide a setting where these layers of identity can be explored collectively with others who share similar experiences. This sense of belonging helps individuals move from personal experiences to collective awareness, a key step in developing diasporic agency.

What is diasporic agency?

While the concept of diasporic agency might not be commonly used, the notion is often part of public discussions on political participation of marginalised communities. Sociologists refer to this term to describe how migrant communities express and redefine their identity, tell their own stories, and advocate for their individual and collective needs.

This empowerment enables further action, such as engaging with policymakers and organising to improve their living conditions. For example, many diaspora members have described how their agency is closely connected to feeling empowered to construct and challenge narratives around their lives and communities.

Sustaining third spaces: Recognizing barriers & building solutions

Despite their importance, third spaces are not always easy to sustain. Diaspora communities frequently face obstacles that hinder the accessibility of these environments. Common challenges include:

• Lack of financial support, restricting access to spaces and the sustainability of projects.
• Limited institutional recognition, meaning these spaces often operate informally and are overlooked by policymakers, funders and established diaspora organizations.
• The general unavailability of spaces dedicated to community-building, through gentrification and public funding cuts, as analyzed by the Free University of Amsterdam.

Although diasporas are confronted by these challenges, the opportunity for renewed public interest and support remains strong. Supporting community building is an essential part of successfully involving migrant communities in institutional structures. For example, EUDiF, through events such as the Future Forum or inclusive public dialogue projects, has given diasporas a platform to explore the importance of diasporic agency. Consciously including young diasporic voices at conferences and events has opened up the space for future exploration of how diaspora members can be empowered to find their voice and contribute in sustainable ways to issues in both of their homes.

Why these concepts matter for institutions

It is evident that institutions often support already existing diaspora organizations, but institutional support can begin even earlier in the mobilization process. Through public and private sector recognition and support of third spaces, actors can directly support the creation of diaspora organizations, which then contribute to broader goals such as the development of heritage countries or democratic dialogue.

Such recognition is often linked to commitments to youth engagement and inclusive participation across diverse diaspora communities, taking the form of dedicated strategies, policy references or research frameworks. Importantly, by creating networks with leaders of third spaces, institutions build partnerships with trusted community actors who can offer insights into the needs and challenges faced by marginalised groups.

An increased institutional focus on third spaces has the potential to strengthen diaspora-led initiatives particularly among younger generations who often engage through creative, cultural or informal community platforms.

Throughout my own engagement and my interactions during this internship, I have realized the importance of understanding agency, both my own and the communal one. I believe that, especially in times of democratic backsliding, it is crucial that diasporas in Europe continue to seek inspiration and comfort in their communities, sustaining their voices and strengthening an inclusive European democracy.

As my internship comes to an end, I leave this chapter behind being inspired by the team working at EUDiF and the many diaspora members I met during the Future Forum, demonstrating what one can do when they found their agency.