Role of Bosnian-Herzegovinian (Bosnian) Immigrant Organizations in Sweden on Socio-Economic Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia)

Sammanfattning: This thesis aims to contribute to the growing field of research on migrant transnationalism by analyzing immigrant organizations among Bosnian immigrants in Sweden. The main focus of the study is on the effects of the immigrant transnationalism phenomenon for socio-economic development within home communities by investigating and analyzing the structures and processes that allow transnational activities to take place. The research applies qualitative methods involving fifteen in-depth interviews with leaders of immigrant organizations and three interviews with counterpart organizations and government officials in Bosnia. The findings reveal that the bounded solidarity is the primary motive for initiating and implementing transnational projects among immigrants. In addition, the ability to navigate in both localities – host and home – enables these organizations to effectively implement their activities in both contexts. To ensure that the results of their projects reach the beneficiaries, immigrant organizations to some extent rely on their local contacts and trusted collaborators in the home state. This allows immigrant organizations to use informal channels and structures in the implementation of their transnational projects and activities.