CON 2026/13 - Consultants / Albanian Diaspora Experts to enable progress on the path to EU accession
International Organization for Migration · Tirana
Introduction
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
Project Context and Scope
Despite improvements and reforms in the region over the past decade, structural challenges and socio-economic hardships continue to drive an increasing number of people to leave Western Balkan (WB) in search of better opportunities. Labour market issues, gender dimensions, and demographic changes further exacerbate the situation, impacting key sectors like healthcare, education, and ICT where labour shortages are now common. As a result, one-fifth of the population of the region now lives abroad, mostly in the European Union (EU). At the same time, the diaspora can significantly contribute to the development of the Western Balkans by leveraging their skills, knowledge, and resources to support sustainable economic growth, innovation, and social development in their countries of origin.
As to Albania, Migration governance remains a top priority for the country. Despite the progress achieved in this area through the implementation of the National Strategy on Migration (2024-2030) and Action Plan (2024-2026), Albania continues to invest efforts to make further advancements in this area, especially considering ongoing EU accession negotiations that commenced in July 2022, imposing additional requirements on the Government of Albania and its institutions to meet EU standards in governing migration. Past efforts, including an EU fellowship scheme by IOM, has proven effective in leveraging diaspora expertise for Albania's EU accession.
The accession negotiations mark a significant step towards EU integration, requiring Albania to align its legislation, rules, and procedures with the EU Acquis, there's a pressing need to strengthen the capacities of line ministries for approximation. A crucial part of the European integration process is related to the preparation and the implementation of the National Plan on European Integration (NPEI)[1].
As an important document that serves as a roadmap providing for legal acts, measures, and institutional changes within the framework of Acquis approximation, technical assistance and increased capacities will be provided to enhance the monitoring of the National Plan for European Integration (NPEI), ensuring a qualitative assessment and reporting system is in place.
The Minister of State and Chief Negotiator (MSCN) has one of its primary responsibilities as the technical management related to EU Acquis approximation and the negotiation process, by providing technical leadership of the negotiations, ensuring internal coordination of the country's accession process to the European Union, and developing capacities of the administration to generate capabilities towards accession. The Department of Policy and European Integration (DPEI), in the Prime Minister’s Office, which serves as the EU Secretariat, provides technical support to the Minister of State and Chief Negotiator and the entire negotiation process, including the approximation of national legislation with the EU Acquis.
The Government of Albania has reiterated the need for support in implementing tools and processes to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills from Albanian diaspora professionals. This support is crucial for the ongoing processes of negotiations, gradual European integration, accelerated development, and convergence with European standards.
The project "Leveraging the potential of Diaspora to advance EU accession and labour mobility in the Western Balkans” funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, aims to create conditions for Diaspora members to fully support the sustainable and economic development of four selected Western Balkan partners: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia.
This is expected to be achieved through two outcomes, the first of which aims to leverage Diaspora engagement to enable progress on the path to accession to the EU. To do so, the project will facilitate knowledge and institutional and good-practice transfer between the WB4 and the EU, by strengthening the capacities of relevant institutional stakeholders for diaspora engagement and implementing fellowship schemes on EU accession related thematic.
In Albania, a final evaluation report of a previously IOM-implemented EU fellowship program, revealed a continuous need by government representatives for experts to assist in implementing activities due to limited resources. Working with Diaspora members within the framework of the EU fellowship scheme is needed in order to provide a different perspective and demonstrate the added value of Diaspora engagement. In addition, Diaspora skills transfers are part of the broader Diaspora engagement portfolio under the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MoEFA), following the restructuring of the Diaspora institutional framework and with the transition from the previous institution of State Minister for Diaspora to MoEFA,
With a focus on facilitating EU accession negotiations, and leveraging the diaspora's development potential for Albania's benefit, highly qualified members of the Albanian Diaspora (fellows/diaspora experts) with diverse backgrounds and expertise will be engaged (building upon previous initiatives), in targeted consultancy roles to support institutions in Albania with the EU accession and approximation processes through technical expertise, capacity building, and international knowledge transfer. The primary beneficiaries of technical assistance will be line ministries, agencies, and independent institutions involved in negotiations and implementation of the NPEI and its monitoring. Local government bodies, which play a crucial role in implementing 70% of the Acquis at the local level, will also benefit, with municipalities involved to strengthen their capacities.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
The project "Leveraging the potential of Diaspora to advance EU accession and labour mobility in the Western Balkans” funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and implemented by IOM in Albania.
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