The widespread poverty and lack of job opportunities has caused many Moldovans to look for employment overseas. As a result, the Moldovan diaspora is steadily growing; in 2008 about one quarter of the economically active population of the country was working abroad. According to official estimates, around 340,000 Moldovans live abroad. This trend presents simultaneous threats and opportunities to local Moldovan development. While the loss of professionals and other workers, especially in key sectors such as education and health, has a negative impact on Moldova’s development, the Moldovan diaspora has the potential to support local development initiatives through financial flows such as remittances, charitable donations and investment, as well as through knowledge and skill transfers.

Policy Debate & Guidance

On April 10-11, 2008 the Policy Seminar entitled “Diaspora and Homeland Development” took place in Chisinau. The event was meant to support the authorities of the Republic of Moldova in the process of elaborating a policy ensuring stronger, multidimensional and long-term relations between the Moldovan migrants and their homeland. The seminar contributed to strengthening the dialogue and creating a common platform, aiming at initiating an innovative approach to assist the Government in encouraging and reinforcing the Diaspora’s implication in the economic development of the Republic of Moldova.

Data & Research

Within the project “Capacity Building for Developing Migration Management Procedures and Migration Policies in the Republic of Moldova” IOM conducted research and published a study on: “Diaspora Management and Out-of-Country Voting (OCV) Possibilities” and organized a Round Table on Diaspora. As part of the same project, IOM conducted a comprehensive mapping exercise of the Moldovan diaspora, analyzing its strengths and weaknesses, and identifying concrete areas for policy development.

PROJECTS undertaken by IOM

Results

Strengthened linkages between the government with its Diaspora and awareness raising among Moldovan migrants and migrant households on investments opportunities in the Republic of Moldova.