By
Quazi M. Ahmed
Founder & President, BOND
Diaspora Engagement Models That Work
In an increasingly interconnected world, diaspora communities are emerging as powerful agents of change not just through the remittances they send, but through their potential to drive innovation, investment, and national development. For a country like Bangladesh, with a global diaspora of over 13 million people, strategically engaging this vast community is not just beneficial it’s essential.
The question is no longer why we should engage the diaspora, but how we can do it effectively. Around the world, various countries have adopted smart, results-oriented engagement models that create meaningful collaboration between diaspora populations and their countries of origin. This article explores some of the most successful diaspora engagement models that can inspire and inform efforts in Bangladesh and beyond.
The Talent Connect Model: Tapping into Global Expertise
One proven approach is the Talent Connect Model, which focuses on harnessing the skills and expertise of diaspora professionals. Countries such as India, Israel, and Ireland have led in this domain by creating programs that bring skilled diaspora members back into the national development conversation.
For example, India’s “Know India Programme” and the VAJRA scheme invite Indian-origin scientists and academics abroad to return for short-term research assignments, mentorship, or university lectures. These programs are typically coordinated through official platforms, embassies, or diaspora-focused departments, ensuring both legitimacy and structure.
By enabling knowledge-sharing in sectors like education, healthcare, and technology, these initiatives allow countries to benefit from the global exposure and experiences of their diaspora without requiring full-time relocation. The success of such programs lies in their ability to create structured, mutually beneficial opportunities that tap into the emotional and professional commitment of the diaspora.
The Investment Bridge Model: Channeling Diaspora Capital
Another impactful model is the Investment Bridge Model, which enables diaspora members to contribute capital to their home countries through structured financial instruments. While the diaspora’s emotional connection to their homeland is powerful, translating that connection into financial commitment requires trust, transparency, and accessible pathways.
Ethiopia’s Diaspora Bond and Rwanda’s Agaciro Development Fund are good examples of this model. These countries have created government-backed financial tools that allow their diaspora to invest directly in national development projects.
For Bangladesh, this model could involve the creation of diaspora-led SME investment funds, where Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) can invest in vetted startups, social enterprises, or infrastructure projects. Offering incentives like tax benefits, return guarantees, and regular updates on fund performance can build confidence. When done transparently, this model converts patriotic intent into real economic impact.
The Return and Reintegration Model: Transforming Brain Drain into Brain Gain
A third strategy that’s gaining attention is the Return and Reintegration Model, aimed at reversing the effects of brain drain and transforming it into brain gain. Encouraging temporary or permanent return of skilled migrants can unlock new waves of entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
Taiwan’s Returning Talent Program offers a compelling example. This initiative provides incentives such as seed capital for startups, tax exemptions, and support services for professionals returning home. Such programs often include clear career pathways in government, academia, or the private sector, along with community-building efforts for returnees.
By treating returnees as strategic assets and supporting their reintegration, countries can benefit from their international networks, perspectives, and professional discipline.
The Digital Engagement Model: Connecting Beyond Borders
In the age of digital communication, the Digital Engagement Model has also emerged as a highly scalable and inclusive approach. This model emphasizes virtual participation, enabling diaspora members to contribute knowledge, mentor young professionals, and collaborate on policy or innovation challenges without needing to travel physically.
Israel’s “Brain Gain” platform and Estonia’s e-Residency program are both examples of how technology can bridge the gap between geography and engagement. Bangladesh could adopt a similar approach by building an NRB Knowledge Hub, an online portal where diaspora professionals can register, find collaboration opportunities, and offer their expertise.
Regular virtual forums, innovation competitions, and government-led listening sessions can make diaspora contributions more dynamic and accessible. The strength of this model lies in its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and potential to mobilize thousands of diaspora members simultaneously.
The Cultural Diplomacy Model: Strengthening Emotional and National Identity
Another equally vital model is the Cultural Diplomacy Model, which focuses on emotional connection, heritage, and identity. Engaging the diaspora through arts, language, and cultural programs ensures long-term emotional loyalty across generations.
Ireland has successfully executed this through its Global Irish Festival Series, which hosts cultural celebrations that bring together Irish communities worldwide. For countries like Bangladesh, this could mean organizing Bengali language programs for second-generation migrants, promoting diaspora art and literature, and recognizing global Bangladeshi role models through awards and media features.
Such efforts not only reinforce national pride but also ensure that the identity of the homeland remains alive within diaspora families for generations.
Toward an Integrated Model for Bangladesh
For Bangladesh, the best way forward may not be to adopt a single model but to create a holistic strategy that combines all five. A successful diaspora engagement framework should begin with a clear national policy supported by a high-level task force.
It should be backed by a strong digital infrastructure a centralized diaspora portal that allows for knowledge exchange, volunteering, investment, and networking. Detailed diaspora mapping is also essential to understand where Bangladeshis live, what skills they possess, and how they prefer to engage. Collaborative partnerships with embassies, civil society, and diaspora organizations can ensure better coordination and implementation.
Conclusion: From Sentiment to Strategy
Diaspora engagement is no longer just about sentiment it’s about smart, strategic action. The most successful models are those that are inclusive, transparent, and aligned with national goals. Countries that invest in such models unlock not only financial support but also intellectual capital, innovation, and global influence.
For Bangladesh and many developing nations, engaging the diaspora isn’t just an opportunity— it’s a strategic imperative. If done right, it could be the key to unlocking a brighter, more inclusive, and globally connected future.