Belgrade, 14 May 2026 | Ložionica – Centre for Creative Industries
South-East Europe continues to face the challenges of brain drain, demographic shifts, and uneven regional development. Yet the same region holds enormous untapped potential – in the knowledge, skills, and innovation carried by its diaspora.
This is the focus of the first Circular Migration Forum for the South-East Europe region, taking place on 14 May 2026 in Belgrade. The Forum is organised by Returning Point, with institutional support from UNDP Serbia and co-financing from the Government of Sweden. The goal is to bring together all relevant stakeholders interested in the potential of circular migration as a driver of local development and cooperation with highly qualified diaspora.
Opportunity4You at the Forum
We are particularly pleased that the Šansa za Tebe portal will be represented at this important regional gathering. Two representatives from the Centre for Knowledge Management will participate in the Forum as part of the region's voice in the dialogue on circular migration, diaspora engagement, and human capital development. This participation confirms Šansa za Tebe's commitment to actively contributing to the building of bridges across labour markets in the region.
What is circular migration and why does it matter?
Circular migration refers to the regular, organised movement of workers between their country of origin and their destination country – with an exchange of knowledge, skills, and capital flowing in both directions. For the SEE region, this is not merely a migration policy but a development strategy. Instead of being lost, talent circulates and contributes to local progress.
Who participates?
The Forum is intended for all stakeholders actively engaged in the field of migration and diaspora cooperation:
- Civil society organisations
- Researchers and academics
- Policymakers and institutions
- International organisations
- Diaspora engagement practitioners
- Regional cooperation initiatives
Featured speakers and participants
Oxana Maciuca – International Human Mobility Expert
Dr Klement Camaj – International Migration Expert and Academic, UWS London
Dr Ana Pantelic – Executive Director, MIT D-Lab
Iva Petrovic – Executive Director, Nordic Business Alliance
Dona Kosturanova – Country Director for North Macedonia, WFD
Armin Alijagic – President, Diaspora Business Center BiH
Aleksandar Jakovljevic – Founder, Balkan Trek
Dr Andjela Martinovic – Founder & Researcher, EpiSTEMe Hub
Katherina Andreeva – Founder, Back to Bulgaria
Sarah Owen – Project Lead, Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support
Jason McCarthy – Committee Member, Irish-Serbian Chamber of Commerce
Danica Jankovic – President, Chevening Alumni Association of Serbia
Uros Zivkovic – Programme Director, Returning Point
Regional scope
Serbia · Montenegro · Bosnia and Herzegovina · North Macedonia · Slovenia · Croatia · Bulgaria · Romania · Albania · Greece · Moldova
Venue
The Forum will take place at Ložionica – Centre for Creative Industries, a newly opened international-standard venue housed in a century-old industrial building in Belgrade – an ideal setting for a regional dialogue on mobility, cooperation, and development.
Registration and contact
🌐 circularmigrationforum.com
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