Harnessing the Diaspora for Development in Europe and Central Asia

Migration has become an important phenomenon in many countries of Europe and Central Asia. The development implications of migration in the region were first examined in the flagship report "Migration and Remittances: Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union." This report builds on the World Bank's earlier work and focuses on an aspect of migration which is important, from various aspects, to practically all countries of the Europe and Central Asia region. The role that the diaspora can play is a major part in overall migration policy of the countries of Europe and Central Asia. This report represents a first step towards understanding the role that Europe and Central Asian diaspora can play in their home countries and how the Bank can facilitate these relationships. The report is part of the World Bank's migration program in countries of Europe and Central Asia, which was initiated with the aim to help countries respond to policy, institutional and program challenges of migration and remittances in the quest for sustained economic growth and poverty reduction