The Greek Diaspora as a Strategic Asset:
Narrative and Strategy¹

by Maria Filio Tridimas

Among the noteworthy geopolitical discussions at the Delphi Economic Forum 2026 (22–25 April 2026), one that stood out was entitled “The Diaspora as a Strategic Advantage: Diplomacy, Economy and Human Capital,”² as it highlighted the multiple dimensions of the role of the Greek diaspora in the modern era, its new characteristics, and contemporary approaches to leveraging it as a strategic national asset, allowing for the drawing of useful conclusions for policymakers and political parties. The discussion featured Maira Myrogianni (Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Othon Anastasakis (Director of South East European Studies at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom), Nick Nanos (Chief Data Scientist and Founder of Nanos Research, Canada), and Katerina Sokou (Executive Director of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce USA and non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council), offering useful insights on an issue of growing importance.

Drawing an analogy between the Greek diaspora and a country’s “mineral wealth,” both Nick Nanos and the panel’s speakers referred to the prerequisites that governments and political parties must meet to leverage the Greek diaspora as a strategic asset. Thus, they stressed that Greece’s relationship with its diaspora is not simply a matter of identity or emotional connection; it is a matter of institutional credibility—and ultimately of trust in Greece’s institutions. Without trust though, no strategy aimed at leveraging the diaspora as Greece’s “mineral wealth” can effectively deliver results.

Generally speaking, political parties’ approach to the Greek diaspora cannot be limited to managing its affairs and issues affecting it adhoc. From this perspective it is essential for both Greek parties and governments to initiate a coherent action Plan for the Greek diaspora, if the goal is its strategic utilization. Such Plan should not only include clear positions; it should also articulate a vision of how Greece can be developed into a place of friendship, culture, investment, and more, for Greek abroad as well as for all those who feel connected to Greece. There is a widespread view that Greeks living abroad are willing to contribute to Greece. However, the relationship between Greece and its diaspora must be more reciprocal when governed by a structured plan. At the same time, for the strategic plan to be purposeful, the Greek state and its political parties must develop a deeper understanding of the diaspora’s needs, mindset, and characteristics. No strategy can be implemented without a profound knowledge of diaspora’s ways of thinking and characteristics.

Towards this end, it is important to recognize that there is no single, unified, homogenous diaspora. Rather, the terrain includes the so-called “traditional communities,” the Church, third and fourth generation Greeks, as well as the recent migrant wave of 2010-2018, with its own professional and academic networks, among others. These are distinct worlds, with different expectations, modes of organisation and relationships with Greece. It is also crucial to understand that the diaspora today is more mobile, interconnected and hybrid than ever before. Greeks abroad exhibit greater mobility, as many do not necessarily return to Greece but instead move and live across different countries. Technology has transformed the ways Greek diaspora communities are organized and communicate and interact, while expressions of Greek identity have become far more complex, particularly among younger generations. Traditional organisations no longer hold the dominant role they once had, while the influence of institutions such as the Church varies significantly from country to country.

With this in mind, the “one size fits all” approach to party strategies on the diaspora belongs to the past. A serious policy for the Greek diaspora cannot be designed and implemented horizontally or opportunistically; it must be multidimensional, tailored to the contemporary needs, and guided by a long-term vision for both Greece and the Greek diaspora. Youth engagement and innovative Greek language education programmes should lie at the core of political parties’ strategic plans and policy positions on the diaspora. Young peoples’ connection with Greece must begin early, through reciprocal partnerships among diaspora schools and schools based in Greece, universities, and youth networks. Only in this way will meaningful relationships and lived experiences be cultivated, fostering a genuine sense of belonging and encourage members of the Greek diaspora to live in Greece for a period of time, establish a small business, or invest in the country.

However, as most speakers on the panel emphasized, no strategy for the Greek diaspora can succeed without strengthening the rule of law in Greece. If there is no trust in the country’s institutions, the Greek diaspora can hardly be mobilized as a strategic partner. Greeks abroad need to have confidence in the system; otherwise, there will not be any foundation for them to invest in Greece—economically, professionally, or personally—their time, attention, and capital. As Othon Anastasakis observed, this raises a critical challenge for policymakers regarding both the narrative and the strategy needed to leverage the Greek diaspora as a strategic asset for Greece.

May 17, 2026

Maria Filio Tridimas is the Deputy Coordinator of the Department of Foreign Policy, European Policy, International Relations, and Diaspora Affairs of SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance.

Notes

1. The Greek version was published in Avgi (09/05/2026).

2. The recording of the panel is available here.