A five-year intervention worth 5,2+ million US$ of the U.S. Government in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  This USAID’s project catalyzes diaspora’s contribution to socio-economic development in BiH by structuring, stimulating, and supporting diaspora investment in the home country.

The project has three main components:

• Assisting in the development of the strategy framework for diaspora investment and engagement in the economic development of BiH, which will be integrated into economic development strategies and action plans at all levels of government (state, entity, cantonal and municipal).
• Expanding diaspora direct investment through technical assistance and grants to eligible early-stage small and medium-sized enterprises. Assistance includes establishing a BiH diaspora marketplace and Business Plan Competition to source innovative and high-growth oriented business ideas and providing business advisory services and other technical assistance. Successful investors and startups will also be eligible for DCA-backed loans provided through a complementary USAID program outside of the scope of this project.
• Developing a sustainable local platform to provide diaspora business services and facilitate investment. The project will establish a one-stop shop for diaspora investors, create an online diaspora business network, and conduct outreach activities, including the organization of diaspora investment conferences and B2B events (see more at https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-harnessing-diaspora-economic-development-bosnia-and).

Total funding: $5.2 million

Project duration: April 2017 - March 2022