This project aims to foster the development of networks, strategic alliances and sustained institutional cooperation between the diaspora and the newly formed policy makers such as the Ministries of Diaspora Affairs and other officials dealing with diaspora and development related issues within governments in their respective countries of origin. The duration of the project is from March 2008 to February 2010.

The Building Institutional Cooperation between Diaspora and Homeland Governments in Africa is supported by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as part of its initiative on Global Migration and Human Mobility.

The overall objective of the project is to generate evidence-based knowledge and information that will highlight examples and catalysts of institutional cooperation already existing among the African diaspora and African governments on the continent from which lessons could be learned to formulate sound policies. The documentation of evidence-based case studies would greatly help inform the ongoing policy discussions on diaspora and development (which are mostly abstract) about the appropriate practicalities of translating policy proposals and options into action plans and feasible operations on the ground. Herein lies the added value of this research project into the overall policy strategies and practical operations regarding the search for appropriate ways of involving the African diaspora in the development of their respective countries of origin in a large scale and sustainable manner.

Policy Relevance

This policy-relevant study attempts to undertake extensive case studies in Ghana and Nigeria in the homelands and in Germany, UK and the US in the host countries in which most of the diaspora from both countries largely reside. This is to obtain baseline data on the evolution, nature, patterns and trends of the existing institutional links between the governments in the two case study countries and their overseas diasporas. More broadly, the study attempts to identify patterns of best practices and assemble specific trajectories and entry points that can help in fostering better relationships and sustained institutional collaboration between the African diaspora and the newly formed policy makers such as the Ministries of Diaspora Affairs within governments in their respective countries of origin.

The project will generate new knowledge, information and policy insights that:

- Contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field of migration and development from the perspective of the diaspora – a point of view which has not been sufficiently heard.

- Addresses policy-level issues and questions that make a pioneering contribution to an emerging research agenda on the subject.

- Identifies networks, links, mechanisms and channels that connect more closely the collective force of the African diaspora population in Western countries with the development of Africa in all of its facets.

- Informs and raise awareness of the African diaspora individuals, groups and organisations in Europe about the challenges, needs, priorities and opportunities in Africa.

- Showcases diaspora initiatives, activities and successful achievements and partnerships that contribute to development in the home countries.

- Identifies realistic and feasible programmes that can enhance the maximum contribution of the Africans abroad to the development of Africa.

- Fosters the development of formal structures and networks between the African diaspora organisations and associations in Europe and the newly emerging institutions in Africa dealing with diaspora and development related issues.

- Disseminates examples of best practices and catalysts of constructive institutional cooperation already existing among African diaspora organisations and African governments on the continent.

- Translates practical activities and experiences of migrants into analyses and development models that can further be translated into policy proposals, alternatives and action plans.