Beta

1) International Brainstorming Sessions

2.1. In order to implement projects that truly address the needs of the Albanian diaspora, we will use human centered design where we first seek to understand the nature of the needs. As such, the current project includes six international brainstorming initiatives which will engage diaspora members and provide foundational knowledge for Germin. Reaching out to diaspora members at the very beginning, our work recognizes the importance of their voices and fosters trust.

In fact, to assure that the data which inform our projects are trustworthy and credible, we have decided to use surveys as the core element of this brainstorming initiative. The flexible nature of surveys is useful when trying to reach a large number of people. This is of crucial importance for Germin, seeing that the more diaspora members, we engage in this brainstorming process, the more accurate our data will be. In fact, we plan to conduct six different surveys, each of which will focus on a separate issue. These targeted surveys will allow us to gain an in-depth understanding of diaspora’s most prevalent needs.

Survey Design

Seeing that simplicity makes it easier to engage a wider audience, our surveys will include multiple-choice and Likert-scale questions. For example, questions will include

How likely are you to engage with an Albanian cultural center?

How often would you like to be involved with initiatives in Kosovo?

These questions are easily understood and provide responders with a range of options.

Conducting the survey

Upon designing the survey, we will use a survey software (i.e. Survey Monkey) in order to conduct the survey. Such software allows us to share the survey via both e-mail and social media, thus assuring that we reach people through various channels. Additionally, using this kind of software assures that all of our data is pooled together and can be analyzed thoroughly. Importantly, likert-scale surveys result in data which are easily quantifiable and provide a clear picture of the most prevalent needs.

Survey Results

The simple design of our survey will contribute to in-depth data analysis and the production of assessment reports. Upon collecting data from six different surveys, each focusing on one topic, the Germin team will perform data analysis. Among others, data analysis will include identifying main themes emerging from the responses, highlighting the most pressing needs of diaspora members in various countries, and determining what needs to be done in order to address these needs. This analysis will be compiled into an assessment report, which will be used to disseminate findings and guide our future projects.

Diaspora Advocacy Toolkit

The Diaspora Advocacy Toolkit is a comprehensive document which will provide

guidance to diaspora formal and informal entities who want to advocate for their rights in Kosovo. The key information included in the toolkit will strengthen advocacy activities aimed at securing Diaspora social and political right in Kosovo. To begin with, this Toolkit will define advocacy, as used by Germin, as well as determine the preferred approaches used to reach our goals.

Content

In order to make the Toolkit as accessible as possible, the content will be separated into sections.

–    Section 1 will explain the need for an advocacy campaign and how such a campaign fits within Germin’s missions. In order to contextualize our advocacy efforts, this section will highlight the social and political rights which Diaspora members already enjoy in Kosovo as well as those which they have to advocate for.

–     Section 2, titled Advocacy Planning, will define the purpose of Germin’s advocacy campaign and the main approaches used to carry out this campaign. Among others, this section will define the issue, identify main stakeholders, point out main policy asks, and compile a list of resources needed for this campaign.

–     Section 3 will focus on best practices in advocacy. This section will provide users with a diverse range of advocacy activities and methods, thus ensuring that our Diaspora Rights campaign addresses various issues.

Design

The Toolkit will be offered in both an online and printed form. The online version will be in the form of a interactive website. The website will include various sections and a search bar to help users navigate the toolkit.

Diaspora Policy Briefs

Policy briefs synthesize evidence related to an important policy or practice issue. Written in simple language, briefs seek to engage a non-expert audience in advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns. To this end, the SDDR will develop briefs on Diaspora social and political rights.

Diaspora Policy Briefs will be produced by field/thematic experts.  The issues discussed in each policy brief will be determined based on data gathered through international brainstorming sessions, Google Hangouts and Focus Group discussions with Diaspora members. The four main issues that come up in these discussions will then be further explored through a desk review.

This process will assure that policy briefs are contextualized and can become helpful tools for advocacy. Ultimately, these policy briefs will:

Describe the nature of the issue

Identify- the main stakeholders involved in policies and practices related to the issue at hand

Suggest best practices to address the problem

Highlight potential barriers and facilitators to implementing the recommended changes