Diaspora Engagement, Remittances and Money Transfers
http://www.microlinks.org/fs/remittances

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International migration and increases in remittances show no signs of slowing in the coming years. Research clearly demonstrates a relationship between migration, remittances, and economic development. Recipients of remittances have an increased likelihood of having savings, and those that receive larger amounts are more likely to also have bank accounts and investments. There is, however, still a large unmet demand for appropriate financial products and services. Attempts are being made to estimate the size of flows, to intermediate these flows vis-à-vis regulatory and development finance frameworks, and to develop policy instruments that can enhance their impact on development.

A client picks up a money transfer from a Fonkoze branch office in Haiti. Photo: Fonkoze

USAID’s Microenterprise Development office seeks to document the flows and analyze the competitive landscape of remittance markets; to develop practical tools that could help improve understanding of the role and importance of remittance flows; and to share the latest debates, developments, initiatives, data, case studies, events, and publications on migrant remittances. Read More.

USAID also has partnered with the Migration Policy Institute to launch the Diaspora Networks Alliance (DNA) Engagement Studies series.  The study series identifies mechanisms to engage diaspora groups along various dimensions.  At present, six dimensions have been identified and studied: capital markets, philanthropy, volunteerism, entrepreneurship, tourism & nostalgic trade, and advocacy/diplomacy.  Additional dimensions may be the subjects of new studies such as governance and post conflict/disaster areas.   For more on this research, please click here.

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