Translated with AI
An initiative aimed at involving the Ukrainian diaspora in the country's revival with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was presented at the Conference on Ukraine's Reconstruction in Rome. This was reported by the IOM on Thursday. As part of the initiative, the creation of the Global Alliance for Diaspora Participation in Ukraine's Reconstruction was announced.
The initiative aims to bring together diaspora leaders, Ukrainian government officials, international organizations, and donors. The main goal is to unlock the potential of Ukrainians living abroad by promoting cooperation across sectors and countries.
“This is a critical time to move on to management decisions,” said Artur Erken, IOM Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia. “Ukrainians living abroad are not just watching events in their homeland from afar, but want to participate in shaping the country’s future. The Ukrainian diaspora, numbering some 20 million people, as well as the millions of people who left the country after 2022, are ready to join the efforts to restore a stable and democratic Ukraine.”
The road to the initiative was paved through consultations held by IOM with diasporas in Italy. These discussions revealed a strong interest in supporting recovery not only through cash transfers – many participants expressed their willingness to contribute skills, experience and knowledge.
The Alliance aims to improve coordination and ensure that diaspora efforts are effective and aligned with Ukraine’s priorities. It will also support local initiatives by encouraging institutional cooperation. The platform will facilitate partnerships between civil society, municipalities, and national institutions to strengthen recovery efforts across all sectors.
A dedicated working group is currently developing a roadmap that will define the structure and activities of the Alliance. It will include defining the roles of key players, coordination mechanisms and strategic priorities. In addition, the roadmap will establish tools for transparent data exchange and analysis of the Alliance’s performance.
