Diaspora Engagement in Transition Assistance: Bolstering Local Resources and Agency

Transition assistance is undergoing a period of transformation. As countries struggle to secure the resources and support needed to lead and sustain meaningful change, a common thread across many contexts is the underutilisation of diaspora capital, both financial and non-financial. This IFIT policy brief argues that diaspora engagement, when approached strategically, inclusively and with the right institutional architecture, can help address critical gaps in agency, relevance and resourcing.

Drawing on illustrative examples from Nigeria, Lebanon, The Gambia, Zimbabwe and Ukraine, the brief highlights how diaspora actors have contributed not only through remittances or investment, but also by advancing reform, fostering social cohesion, and shaping national narratives. At the same time, it underscores the need for careful design, coordination and trust-building to ensure that diaspora engagement is effective, inclusive and aligned with national priorities. In doing so, the paper positions diaspora engagement not as supplemental, but as foundational to building more resilient, legitimate and locally anchored transitions.

The DOI registration ID for this publication is: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16752393