The Kosovar diaspora plays a vital role in Kosovo's socio-economic development. In 2023 alone, remittances were estimated at approximately €1.3 billion, accounting for around 15% of GDP. However, the diaspora’s potential in contributing to Kosovo’s national growth and reform agenda has not been fully unlocked due to the lack of an enabling environment for sustainable foreign direct investment (FDI). A large proportion of remittances is still directed toward consumption rather than investment in income- or employment-generating activities. There is still a gap when it comes to strengthening and building partnerships with the diaspora community in terms of business and professional attainment. 

The Kosovar government is committed to further accelerating diaspora’s investment and know-how as strategic interventions to boost the socio-economic growth and human capital development in Kosovo. Diaspora engagement has been a prominent policy area in Kosovo since 2008. In recent years mobilising economic contributions from the diaspora has become a central theme of the diaspora engagement framework in Kosovo. While there has been progress in establishing platforms for engaging diaspora, creating diaspora business networks, and organising and hosting multiple networking and business forums, there are a lot of untapped opportunities for Kosovo businesses and diaspora to partner in generating investment. 

The HOME project builds on the successful implementation of the Municipal Action for Reintegration and Diaspora(MARDI) project implemented by Caritas Switzerland in Kosovo (CACH). Currently, the follow up project HOME is in its inception phase which entails conducting needs assessments, mapping and consultation with stakeholders, identification of risks and opportunities for interventions. This phase is crucial to establishing a clear foundation for project implementation, alignment with stakeholders’ expectations and defining of the project scope and interventions needs. 

The primary objective of this assignment is to provide advice on investment and partnership models for diaspora engagement on business and economic activity of Kosovo using the findings from the Kosovo Business Readiness Study for Diaspora Investment and Engagement and other regional and global best practices. Specifically, the consultancy seeks to identify feasible models that generate partnerships between Kosovo business and diaspora considering the needs and opportunities of the Kosovo businesses, including gender sensitive and social inclusive funding modalities. The findings will serve to inform interventions aimed at enhancing the ability of these businesses to effectively collaborate with and attract investment from the Kosovar diaspora community. 

In addition to providing advice on investment and partnership models for diaspora engagement in business and economic activity, the assignment also includes providing overall expert input and strategic recommendations for the further development and refinement of Outcome 3 of the HOME project: “The socio-economic potential of Kosovar diaspora engagement is mobilized and contributes to Kosovo’s national growth and reform agenda.” 

Outcome 3 focuses on strategic coordination and investment facilitation to ensure that diaspora financial capital is directed toward sustainable and high-impact initiatives. Specifically, the third component of the HOME project seeks to support local businesses in gaining access to international markets by establishing strategic linkages with diaspora business associations, thereby enhancing trade and investment opportunities. Moreover, the project aims to develop networks that enable effective outreach to the diaspora community to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from the Kosovar diaspora to governmental institutions, academia, and civil society organizations. In addition, CACH plans to establish funding modalities designed to provide targeted incentives for diaspora investments.

The methodology will include the following key tasks: 

The assignment is intended to be performed during the month of September. As key deliverables, the consultant will develop: 

The activity will preferably commence on September 1, 2025, once the contract has been signed by both parties, and will conclude by October 30, 2025. 

For this assignment, the consultancy amount shall not exceed €7,000 unless negotiated in advance with the HOME Project Manager and approved by the Caritas Switzerland Country Director. This also includes accommodation and travel costs to Kosovo. 

The consultant should possess the following qualifications: 

 Fulfilment of these criteria should be evidenced within submitted offers.