When EUDiF opened its first call for Diaspora 4 Development (D4D) Grants last October, the response was immediate and overwhelming: 221 applications arrived, each proposing a way for diaspora communities to channel expertise, resources and ideas back to their countries of heritage.
Diaspora organisations across Europe are constantly designing innovative ways to contribute to sustainable development in their countries of heritage. The first D4D Grants call showed just how committed this community is, with hundreds of applications reflecting a wide range of skills, themes, and approaches. While it was not possible to support every initiative, we greatly value the effort and vision behind each proposal.
This month, after an in-depth review process, 11 organisations were awarded grants. The projects, which stretch from Colombia to Bangladesh, are modest in size but ambitious in scope. Together, they illustrate the often-overlooked power of diaspora groups to bridge ideas and resources, and to connect communities across borders.
A portfolio that reflects global challenges
The selected projects cover a broad spectrum of today’s most pressing issues:
- In Colombia and Benin, groups are pairing youth job creation with climate action through solar energy training and circular economy initiatives.
- In Cabo Verde, Togo and Zimbabwe, women are at the centre, with projects aimed at building financial independence through entrepreneurship and agribusiness.
- In Cameroon, Burundi and Senegal, the focus is on health. Cameroonian diaspora groups experimenting with telehealth, while others are expanding prenatal care in Burundi and inclusive healthcare for children with disabilities in Senegal.
- In Lebanon, digital skills training aims to improve employability for vulnerable youth, while in Senegal cultural heritage projects spotlight the role of diaspora in identity and arts.
- And in Bangladesh, climate-smart agriculture initiatives show how diaspora expertise can make farming more resilient and equitable.
Why these 11 made the cut
The winning projects did not just have good ideas, but they excelled in the different areas of the evaluation criteria including:
- Their ability to amplify impact through diaspora knowledge, resources and networks;
- The strength of their partnerships with governments, universities, civil society and others;
- Strong demonstration of knowledge of the local context and issue at hand, embedding the project in local and national frameworks and priorities.
More than funding
D4D is about more than handing out checks. Over the coming months, the 11 organisations will take part in a training program covering financial management, reporting, digital tools and data protection. The goal is to strengthen diaspora organisations as lasting development actors, not just project implementers.
With this new portfolio, we look forward to deepening our collaboration with diaspora organisations and further demonstrating the essential role they play in sustainable development worldwide.
Photo by Nick Fewings from Unsplash.