Främja cirkulär migration

Progress of the project can be summarized in the following way: - Talent Ecosystem digital job matchmaking platform was launched, linking Young Talent Fund alumni abroad with companies in Serbia. This marks a concrete shift from one-off scholarship support to long term reintegration and employment pathways for Serbia's most talented youth abroad. - Talent Ecosystem has gathered over 250 users and was presented to key human resources networks, including the HR Forum of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Serbia. By matching returnees with companies in Serbia, the platform operationalizes circular migration as a talent loop, where knowledge and competencies circulate rather than deplete. - Sustainability of the Talent Ecosystem platform has been secured with National Employment Services (NES) formal commitment to maintain the app while its presentation to networks like American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) signals growing private sector buy-in. - Three Serbian Expat Meetups organized, with over 300 attendees fostering peer-to-peer relationships that are not just social, but catalytic. - UMREZENE Diaspora Women's Network established marking a breakthrough in gender responsive diaspora engagement. - Twenty four local mentees have been linked with ten returnee mentors creating a powerful feedback loop of knowledge transfer, solidarity, and economic empowerment. - Practical business handbooks have been developed during the three-day entrepreneurship workshop and podcast content extended the reach of the initiative beyond its initial participants generating scalable tools and visibility for women led success stories. - Sixteen new podcast episodes, viewed over 64,000 times positioning Returning Point as a trusted platform for authentic returnee and diaspora stories. - The Returning Point website has been redeveloped based on user feedback to offer accessible, engaging entry points for users across channels. - Guides for Repats has been fully redesigned and offers, for the first time in English language as well, a more streamlined system of information relevant for individuals planning their return to Serbia. - The Talent Ecosystem Conference engaged over 130 stakeholders from government, business, and international partners, catalyzing cross sector dialogue and resulting in a signed Memorandum of understanding between the Returning Point and the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation (MoSTDI). - Policy dialogue with the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (MLEVSA) has been initiated on outdated bilateral social security agreements, some of which have remained unchanged since the 1970s, and is addressing a core structural barrier for migrant workers and their families. Modernizing these agreements with countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands creates clearer, fairer pathways for circular workers. - Support to nine Migrant Service Centres (within the National Employment Service) for returnees initiated through joint workshops and the development of a new returnee communication guide enhances front line capacity to deliver accurate, coordinated services.

The project is expected to contribute to the following overarching goal: mobility and demographic transition become vectors for positive change and prosperity for all people, contributing to inclusive and sustainable development. The project aims to deliver a threefold change that will be fostered by interventions aimed at promoting circular migration: 1) A growing relationship of mutual understanding, trust and cooperation between the Serbian society and the Serbian diaspora, which is based on the sustainable solutions (such as: policy and regulatory initiatives proposed by the Returning Point to the relevant institutions, the establishment of the Carta Serbica program, the diaspora loan scheme), 2) A growing interest in connecting with Serbia among the Serbian diaspora, as evidenced by engagement in the country's economic, social, and cultural life, and by a growing Returning Point community. 3) A supportive environment for foreign skilled professionals to choose to come, live and work in Serbia, propelled by an improved legal framework and service delivery driven network within the administration. The project is expected to achieve the following outcomes: 1) Establishment of the Returning Point Platform 2) Channeling diaspora based businesses, trade and circular migration initiatives for sustainable local development 3) Developing model for diaspora Investments 4) Developing and improving diaspora and circular migration services 5) Improved Support Services for Foreigners to Relocate to Serbia