EU4Youth: fourth edition of Diaspora Youth Forum in Moldova

On 17 August, the Diaspora Youth Forum organised in Chisinau, Moldova brought together over 120 young people originating from the Republic of Moldova, who are studying abroad, alongside young people who have returned home. The event, held over a full day of intense activities, included networking sessions, thematic discussions, and inspirational panels, all focused on the theme “Experiences, Paths, Returns“.

The event emphasised two essential directions: valuing the international experiences and academic or professional achievements of young people from the diaspora, and promoting inspiring returns, presenting specific examples of young people who choose to contribute to the country’s development through the knowledge and skills acquired abroad.

The forum served as a platform for dialogue between young people, experts, and institutional partners, aiming to generate ideas and partnerships that support the integration of future specialists into Moldovan society.

During the thematic panels, the representatives from the Bureau for European Integration discussed the role of youth in the European Union accession process and how the diaspora can actively contribute to promoting European values. Moldovan students in the USA, France, and China shared diverse experiences regarding studying abroad, highlighting both challenges and academic opportunities.

The interactive session in the World Café format brought participants together to discuss the causes of emigration, barriers to returning, and ways to contribute to the country’s development. Young people who returned from Italy, Romania, and Poland shared their personal stories about coming back home, emphasizing their motivations for returning, community integration, and opportunities to contribute to social and professional life in Moldova.

Representatives of the Bureau for Relations with the Diaspora and the Association of Foreign Investors presented programmes and initiatives for young people interested in returning to Moldova, discussing logistical support, career opportunities, and access to professional networks. The Embassy of Lithuania in Moldova and the EU4Youth project supported the panel «European Integration and Youth Role», facilitating substantial discussions about Moldova’s European future.

“One of the most useful moments for me was the discussion panel: Experience of Students in the Diaspora. Their experiences gave me confidence that the Republic of Moldova has a European path, and I felt inspired to make a change myself”, mentioned one of the participants.

The event was organised by the ‘EU4Youth: Youth Engagement and Empowerment’ project, co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ, in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to the Republic of Moldova, League of Native Students from the Republic of Moldova (LSORM) and European Institute for Development Policies “Eurodev”.