Repository of Practices

Primary GCM Objectives

GCM Guiding Principles*

*All practices are to uphold the ten guiding principles of the GCM. This practice particularly exemplifies these listed principles.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Dates

2020 - Present

Type of practice

Project/Programme

Geographic scope

Summary

iGorts: A program which invites Diaspora Armenian professionals to serve in the public sector and the government of the Republic of Armenia.

The iGorts Fellowship Program was launched in September 2020 and is a 12-month Fellowship which allows for 50 Armenian professionals from around the world to serve in the Government of Armenia. The Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs covers the cost of a round-trip air ticket; a monthly stipend of 336.000 AMD to cover living expenses for the duration of their fellowship; emergency medical insurance, and the fee for a one-year residency permit.

The two main goals of the program are the improvement and development of Armenian public institutions as well as the promotion of professional repatriation. Diaspora professionals are placed in state agencies across different sectors in need of their expertise and contribute to the improvement and the development of programs and policies within the state institution. For the duration of the 12 months of their fellowship, they work on different projects, offer their knowledge of international best practices and offer advice as to how to improve the government systems. The program also offers excursions/work tours to the different provinces of Armenia to its participants in order to encourage their knowledge of the country, as well as encourage the creation of ties between the participants and their homeland. Networking events and opportunities are also created for the participants in order to promote opportunities for future employment for them as well.

Organizations

Main Implementing Organization(s)

Government of Armenia

Detailed Information

The Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia

Partner/Donor Organizations

The Program requires partnering with the different public and governmental institutions within the Republic of Armenia. Currently the program works with 25 such institutions, including:

Ministries, the Parliament, Constitutional Court, Office of Human Rights Defender, different Specialized Committees and commissions, National Film Center, Central Bank, local self-government bodies and inspectorate bodies, etc.

Benefit and Impact

• Benefit 1: Promote inclusivity of diaspora Armenians within the public sector
• Benefit 2: Encourage the exchange and implementation of international best practices within the governmental sphere.
• Impact 1: over 70% of the first year participants stayed in Armenia following the first year.

Key Lessons

Seeing as the program is still new, the lessons learned are mainly related with the policies of the program as well as related to the timely integration of the participants within the program and their job placements.
Lesson 1- Participants require a lot of support on part of the iGorts staff during their first three months in the program in order to facilitate their integration within their jobsites. This support comes in the form of constant assessment meetings and entry orientations.
Lesson 2- in order for the integration of the participants to be successful, the jobsite staff and supervisors also have to be incorporated within the integration plan of the participants.
Lesson 3- Mentorship program- during the second year of the program we have learned that our alumni are a very good resource in order to help the new participants’ integration.

Recommendations(if the practice is to be replicated)

The Program is applicable for all those countries that have diaspora and willingness from diaspora to be engaged in the development of the country.

Innovation

This practice is innovative because it offers diaspora to come and have an active and effective impact on the development of the country in terms of policy making and strategy.

Additional Resources

Website

Media

Watch This Short Film About the iGorts 2020 Program

Additional Images

Date submitted:

31 March 2022

Disclaimer: The content of this practice reflects the views of the implementers and does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations, the United Nations Network on Migration, and its members.