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

the diaspora, to motivate its participation in the country’s development. The consolidation of the diaspora contributed to its establishment as an independent actor of Moldovan migration policy. During this period the “Diaspora – 2025” National strategy (Guvernul, 2016a) and the Plan of action for its implementation were adopted. These act as the baseline documents of the Republic of Moldova’s policy in the field of migration, development and diaspora. The visa-free regime with the European Union (2014) created new opportunities for Moldovan labor migration into the European Union. Agreements in the field of labor migration and social protection were signed with a number of EU countries. We should note that the transition towards policies concerning diaspora was inspired by both international factor, and local context. This is tied to the changes of the global approach to migration, the transition from a quantitative “migration policy” to a qualitative “diaspora policy”. National context is tied to the formation and development of the Moldovan diaspora, and the need of appropriate policies. The influence of these factors had an effect on the institutional reform, the need to delineate the functions of specialized governmental bodies that implemented the policy in the field of migration and diaspora (Mosneaga, 2018, p.94). Regarding the development and implementation of these policies, in the Republic of Moldova there is a solid institutional framework with a large number of interested parties. The primary state institution here is the Diaspora Relations Bureau, established at the diaspora’s request. The Bureau coordinated the government’s actions in the field of migration, diaspora and development, contributing to the preservation and assertion of the ethnic, cultural, and linguistic identity of Moldovan citizens abroad, and the use of the diaspora’s human and financial potential. The Diaspora Relations Bureau developed and is implementing numerous programs: Diaspora Engagement Hub, «DOR», Diaspora Business-forum, Diaspora congresses, Diaspora days, etc. It is important to note that on the national level, state policies in the field of diaspora, migration and development are being developed and promoted using an integrated approach, as well as through the functional obligations of profile ministries, central public authority bodies and institutions (Guvernul, 2016b): the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (the Bureau of Migration and Asylum, the Border police), the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitization, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Health, and others. The analysis of the Moldovan state’s role in the field of migration and diaspora policies has shown that initially the state did not possess an effective and complex approach to the phenomenon of migration, including the component of support in regards to diaspora. Under the influence of international institutions and the realization of the necessity of collaboration with the diaspora, Moldovan authorities began to actively elaborate a state policy regarding the diaspora. In this context we can underline the Government Decision 200 from 26.02.2016 on the approval of the National strategy “Diaspora-2025” and the Plan of action for its realization for 2016-2018, where the “new approach” to the policy concerning diaspora is reflected. The national strategy “Diaspora-2025” contains the new priorities of Moldovan policy in the field of diaspora: development of a strategic and organizational framework in the field of diaspora, migration and development; promotion of diaspora rights and strengthening trust; mobilization, and use of the diaspora’s human potential; direct and indirect attraction of the diaspora to participate in the sustainable economic development of the Republic of Moldova (Guvernul, 2016a). Experts identify several aspects in the implementation of the new approach to the policy in the field of migration, diaspora and development. Firstly, it is the shift from quantity to quality. This means the diaspora is viewed not as a subject requiring support, and not as a beneficiary of state policies, but as a partner in development policies. Secondly, the accent was shifted towards the mobilization of the diaspora’s civic spirit for the realization of socially-significant activity. Thirdly, it is the development and realization of the diaspora’s human potential (Mosneaga, 2017, p.182). According to the new approach, migrant return does not actually mean physical return, instead the important part is that they’ve maintained their ties to the homeland, transferred the knowledge and skills they’ve accumulated abroad, and contributed to the development of the Republic of Moldova. For the implementation of this approach it is necessary for the Diaspora Relations Bureau to actively collaborate with other Moldovan state institutions, with NGOs, international organizations, and all interested parties involved in working with migrant communities and diaspora abroad. An important instrument in the realization of the policies in the field of migration, diaspora and development are the various programs that are being implemented by the Moldovan state bodies. In 2010 the “PARE 1+1” program was launched, its purpose is to attract monetary transfers into the Moldovan economy and it is aimed at labor migrants or their first-degree relatives that are willing to invest into opening or expanding businesses in Moldova. The program functions on a 1+1 algorithm, where every Moldovan Leu that, invested via migrants’ monetary transfers is supplemented by another 1 MDL that serves as a grant. © 2023 Global Journals Volume XXIII Issue VI Version I 48 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