IOM signs agreements to engage Bosnia and Herzegovina diaspora

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina has emphasized the importance of the country's diaspora as a vital resource for national development. During a special podcast titled ‘Coffee with IOM: Shaping the Future of BiH, Wherever You Are’, organized as part of the 2026 Sustainable Development Week, discussions focused on leveraging the knowledge, professional networks, and international experience of the diaspora to create concrete development opportunities.

To facilitate this, the IOM signed memorandums of understanding with two prominent organizations: the BH Futures Foundation and Naša Perspektiva. These agreements establish a framework for joint initiatives involving diaspora engagement, skills and knowledge exchange, support for youth and entrepreneurship, labor mobility, and research and innovation.

Nerimana Rifatbegović of the IOM stated that the developmental potential of migration lies in the connections built between the communities where people live and their countries of origin. The goal is to foster cooperation between the diaspora, local institutions, and partners to address community needs and support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European integration process.