NOVIB AND MIGRANT ORGANISATIONS Reactions: Relationships with the Diaspora Organisations

1. NOVIB AND MIGRANT ORGANISATIONSReactions: Relationships with the Diaspora Organisations Leila Rispens-Noel Programme Officer Novib Oxfam Netherlands TITEL AUTEUR February 2, 2006 DATUM

2. Relationships with Diaspora Organisations Programma: • Current issues and concerns on relationships • Actors in development co-operation; defining issues, role, directions • Novib and migrant organisations

3. Relationships with Diaspora Organisations Issues and concerns in the field of development cooperation: From the perspectives of migrant organisations: 1. Social and political exclusion both in home and host countries. Their voices and legitimate aspirations are not heard. 2. Lack of recognition as major stakeholder of remittances. They contribute not only remittances but also transfer knowledge and skills. 3. Inclusive partnership in development. 4. Lack of support for productive initiatives of Hometown Associations (HTAs) and diaspora philanthropy by providing special funds to support their small enterprises and productive projects, so that these projects become more viable, and may lead to greater development impact in their respective communities. Financial literacy. 5. Promote transnationalism to facilitate circulation of migrants' skills and knowledge. 6. Reduce remittance transaction fees, and establish pro-poor financial architecture which is efficient, fast and secure. 7. Legalise alternative remittance systems being managed by diaspora organisations, and to reconcile the differing governmental laws in the north (sending countries).

4. Relationships with Diaspora Organisations Actors in development co-operation organisations • Mainstreaming of migration and development in policy agenda • Policies and practices: words vs. actions • Lack of coherence, vision, strategy and co-operation in national and European level on the part of various agencies, organisations and institutions engaged in migrant work (those which provide funding and those that provide services) • Understanding respective role (compete instead of complement) • Demographic and thematic priorities exclude others • Domestic vs. international issues (integration vs. international cooperation)

5. Relationships with Diaspora Organisations Novib and diaspora organisations • Strategic financing (small and large development projects of diaspora organisations) • Capacity building (project management, project cycle management, how to raise fund and to conduct lobby, etc.) • Support alliance building • Linking and learning/exchange visits • Organise expert meetings and conferences

6. Relationships with Diaspora Organisations Translated in terms of projects • 30% of the annual budget (Euro 7 million for North-South co-operation)is allocated for the activities and projects of diaspora organisations in the Netherlands and in their countries of origin. Projects in the North: - 25 small projects in the North, mainly in the Netherlands - 36 small projects (one-off) in the South - from Euro 5,000 - 50,000 - 5 large projects (average Euro 150,000), 3 years commitment and possibility of extension The above figures exclude small projects by diaspora organisations to support their lobby and advocacy related to the development issues of their countries of their origin which are implemented in the Netherlands. Average 20 small projects/year. Capacity building has separate budget.

7. Relationships with Diaspora Organisations What Novib has done so far: Aside from financing projects, Novib organised the following conferences: 1) The Link Between Migration and Development - 2003, The Netherlands 2) Bridging the gap: The Role of Migrants and their Remittances in Development - 2004, The Netherlands 3) The Impact of Remittances in Latin America: Microfinance as alternative channel for remittances - 2005, Zacatecas, Mexico 4) Exposure Program - Zacatecas, Mexico In 2006, Novib will sponsor a conference in Asia similar topic as in Mexico.

8. Relationships with Diaspora Organisations Mission: social and political inclusion Novib is committed to support the following: By 2010, using 2006 as baseline, 10% more of Dutch people are aware that poverty is a complicated phenomenon that cannot be solved with simple measures. By 2010, national, regional and international networks of Diaspora organisations are established and serve as a platform for lobby and advocacy for policies, laws and practices that enhance the development potential of migration. The networks can influence the policies and practices of states, development institutions, and other actors in the field of migration and development. By 2010, migrants are informed on how to leverage their remittances for their own development, their families and their wider communities in their home countries By 2010, An enabling environment is in place that maximises the development potential of migrant’s remittances. This enabling environment consists of lower transfer costs, access to bank accounts and financial services as well as support to activities by Diaspora organisations.

9. Relationships with Diaspora Organisations Three ways to achieve just and equitable world • Direct poverty alleviation • Advocacy • Lobby and mobilisation • Promote reverse development co-operation whereby the partners in the South will share their knowledge and expertise with the North • Focus: core and theme countries

10. Relationships with Diaspora Organisations Campaign as intervention Popular Campaigning: • Awareness raising • Mobilisation to support 5 aims Two teams: Campagnes and Novib/Linkis

11. Relationships with Diaspora Organisations Challenges in the future To maximise the development potentials of migration, we need to: • Promote broad co-operation and inclusive partnership among stakeholders (diaspora organisations, government, development-related organisations -ngos, multilateral and international organisations, private sector, academe, etc.). Come up with strategic and coherent policy agenda and action. Promote co-operation. Complement not to compete. • Ensure that the voice of diaspora organisations is heard (participate in international conferences and meetings and policy-making processes at all levels) • Strengthen their transnational networks and enhance capacities.

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