These pressures heighten the risk of forced migration and displacement worldwide, including in Senegal and Ghana. Nevertheless, despite being considered as an additional factor of instability, human mobility can support adaptation by bridging territories transnationally, promoting knowledge and resource transfer. In this context, diaspora engagement for climate action can be a powerful tool for adaptation and resilience. In particular, diasporas from Ghana and Senegal— two priority Countries of Origin (CoOs) for the Italian Government— are already active in supporting sustainable development in their CoOs, but their potential to contribute to climate action and food security in their countries of origin remains largely untapped due to a lack of structured channels and comprehensive information. The project “Diaspora for Climate Action and Food Security” seeks to strengthen Ghanaian and Senegalese diasporas’ engagement in actions for climate and food security with the aim of supporting them in implementing projects that benefit their CoOs. In particular, the project will begin with a preliminary study of the diaspora’s capacity and interest in climate action, providing the evidence base needed to guide policy development and practical interventions. 

Specifically, the study will focus on the following elements for Senegalese and Ghanaian diaspora groups in Italy and their potential action in their countries of origin: 

a) Past, ongoing, or planned climate action, including food security initiatives, by diaspora organizations (DOs) and individual diaspora members in Italy; 

b) Green skills and knowledge available within the wider diaspora group; 

c) Perceived opportunities, challenges and potential innovative solutions for diaspora groups and organizations to engage in climate action and food security, which are also responsive to gender and youth perspectives; 

d) Priority areas for climate action and food security in Senegal and Ghana that diaspora groups and organizations could potentially support: 

e) Existing national institutional mechanisms for diaspora engagement in climate action and food security in Senegal and Ghana; and 

f) DO's interest in participating in climate action activities in their countries/communities of origin, based also on capacity to mobilize and on the actual needs in their countries/communities of origin.