The return of highly qualified migrants has become an integral part of the Government’s Strategy for Migration to effectively engage the Albanian Diaspora in the country’s scientific, administrative and economic development. An initiative of the Albanian Government and the United Nations Development Programme in Albania, the Brain Gain Programme is creating policies and incentives to encourage skilled people to remain in Albania, to return after university, or to come on a short-term basis to engage in specific projects. Partnerships with Albanian lecturers and researchers working in Western universities and research institutions are key.

The programme supports universities to fill leading management and academic positions with qualified individuals from abroad, selected on a competitive and transparent basis.

Expertise is also being sought for the Albanian public administration. The Brain Gain is supporting the Government in the creation of policies that allow for the return of talented professionals as well as for keeping the expertise of Albanians already in the country. This includes a critical analysis of the current laws and practices in the public administration that promote or prevent the attraction of those that have graduated abroad with public administration degrees.

A database for collecting information that tracks the skills and qualifications of the Diaspora will be used to identify Albanian scholars, policy makers, graduate students and professionals for the Brain Gain Programme. Those interested register, provide information about education, work experience and ways in which they wish to contribute to development. This information will be used to match the demand of Albania’s institutions, public administration and private sector with expertise from the Diaspora. Information is secure and will not be shared without permission.

• Brain Gain Team