Global Journal of Human Social Science, F: Political Science, Volume 23 Issue 6

to banking services and trust in financial institutions, lack of qualified workforce (Blouchoutzi, Nikas, 2004, p.105). The financing of entrepreneurial activity is negatively influenced by moral risk problems and initially low income norms, which lead to the ruin of many Moldovan migrants’ enterprises shortly after they were established (The socioeconomic impact, 2009, p.20). Moldovan experts consider that although today monetary transfers remain an important source of fuel for the Republic of Moldova’s economic growth, the authorities should focus more on attracting the Moldovan citizens’ savings that are being kept abroad. These savings should be attracted into the Moldovan economy, which can contribute to the migrants’ return home. The way migrants and their family members that are staying in Moldova distribute the transferred money is another sign that they are not ready to invest in the development of entrepreneurship in the country of origin. The results of sociological research shows that the money received from migrants is being spent on food (62%), healthcare (61%), home repair and construction (45%), purchase of consumer goods (34%), and children’s education (32%). In 2022-2023 only every seventeenth respondent indicated that monetary transfers were invested into land or agricultural equipment. Even less money is spent on production; the number of those that invested in manufacturing remains very low (2.4%). At the same time, the presence of investments in the country of origin speaks of maintaining ties with the homeland, and at the same time is a stimulus for an eventual return to Moldova. Unlike remittances, entrepreneurial investments give members of the diaspora direct control over the use of their resources. Our research has shown that 18.4% of Moldovan citizens that reside in EU countries have investments in the Republic of Moldova. Furthermore, there is a category of Moldovan migrants that have the desire to invest in a business in Moldova (36%). Over the course of the conducted survey we attempted to determine what causes the desire of Moldovan labor migrants to invest in a business in Moldova. The answers can be divided into three groups: 1) to have one’s own business, which is a source of income; 2) to be able to live at home, with one’s family; 3) to develop the country. Economic growth and political and legal stability in Moldova could contribute to investments. In general, it can be noted that having one’s own business in Moldova is one of the stimuli for Moldovan migrants’ return home. III. T he F ormation and D evelopment of M oldovan C ommunities’ I nstituonal P otential in EU27+ C ountries When it comes to the consolidation of Moldovan diaspora in European Union countries, a big role falls to the diaspora structures that have formed in many EU countries. In general, the Moldovan diaspora consists of 250 associations in more than 30 countries of the world. Diaspora associations are quite varied and differ in terms of legal status, management model, and sphere of activity. However, specialized scientific literature practically ignores the subject of association typology. D. Dijkzeul and M. Fauser identify hometown associations, migrant development NGOs, and umbrella organizations. Their activity is directed towards different things; it is oriented at providing social services, has the potential for widespread action and carries a relatively inclusive character (Dijkzeul, Fauser, 2020, p.14). Moldovan diaspora organizations are usually of the second type, but they are all united by the fact that they “play an important role in the realization of strategic action and goals in the field of diaspora, migration, and development. An integrating factor for all diaspora bodies is national and civil belonging” (Guvernul Republicii Moldova, 2016a). Diaspora associations act as the social institution that allows Moldovan communities abroad to consolidate into a diaspora. The formed diaspora influences the development of culture, economics, and democratic values of the migrants’ home country (Mosneaga, 2021b, p. 239). The process of formation of diaspora associations is tied to the desire of Moldovan citizens abroad to unite, to create bodies that promote and maintain language, culture, and traditions, bodies that provide migrants with informational and legal support. Gradually new associations began to appear, ones that distanced themselves from the goal of maintaining Moldovan identity and all things related to it, instead focusing on other socio-cultural interests. This testified to their increasing integration into the host country’s society, as well as to their gradual transformation from Moldovan associations abroad into organizations of the host country’s civil society (Cojuhari, 2018). The activity of Moldovan diaspora organizations includes a wide spectrum of directions: establishment of cultural and lingual centers for promotion of national culture, traditions and customs, study of the host country’s language for adults, and of Romanian for children; information services and legal consultations, both live and online; consultations in the field of entrepreneurship (opening and managing a business in Moldova or abroad); psychological support for migrants, members of migrant families, etc. (Cheianu-Andrei, 2013, p.37). © 2023 Global Journals Volume XXIII Issue VI Version I 43 Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2023 ( ) F The Transformation of Moldovan Migrant Communities into the Moldovan Diaspora in the European Union: The Main Directions and Mechanisms