The Role and Impact of Collective Remittances and Diaspora Organizations

A contribution to the World Bank project on Migration, Development and Remittances in Africa

The World Bank is undertaking a comprehensive study of migrant remittances across 10 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, and in two remittance sending countries out of Africa. The aim is to fill the knowledge gap on the impact of migration and remittances on development, and to strengthen the capacity of policy makers, local researchers and institutions to analyze relevant trends, determinants and impacts. Through research, surveys, analysis and consultation, the project will generate the first comprehensive body of information on migration and remittances in Africa.

The Migration Unit at DIIS contributes to the WB study with the following two research projects:

1. The particular features and impacts of collective remittances and diaspora organizations in fragile/post-conflict states
In Africa, migrant groups, sending states, international NGOs and receiving states are realizing the development potential of diasporas, which are organizing to promote development projects in their home society, rather than simply sending remittances for family consumption. It is central to understand the dynamics of such organizations to further their development potential. Particular to Africa is a large number of weak, collapsed or fragile states. Remittances may both spur conflict as well as secure the survival of people in post-conflict situations. The impact of remittances in these circumstances is important to cover. The contribution will draw on two case studies: Burundi and Somalia.

2. An overview and typology of African diaspora organizations in Denmark
The project maps the existence of African migrant organizations in Denmark and the types of activities they engage in. The aims is to estimate the numbers of migrant organizations present, but also to elicit the characteristics of these organizations in terms of their structure, membership base and the extent to which their activities are oriented towards the Danish context or their home countries. This will end in a typology of organizations.

The programme runs from 2007 to 2009 and is funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Senior Researcher Simon Turner, Project Senior Researcher Nauja Kleist, Project Researcher Peter Hansen, Analyst Birgitte Mossin Brønden, Ph.d. Candidate Lars Ove Trans and Ida Marie Vammen are involved.

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