A Case Study on Capacity-Building Policies within Hungarian Diaspora Engagement Practices Cover Image

A Case Study on Capacity-Building Policies within Hungarian Diaspora Engagement Practices
A Case Study on Capacity-Building Policies within Hungarian Diaspora Engagement Practices

Author(s): Eszter Jeso
Subject(s): Ethnic Minorities Studies
Published by: Nemzetpolitikai Kutatóintézet
Keywords: Hungarian diaspora; Cultural identity; Hungarian identity abroad; Diaspora policy

Summary/Abstract: My study examines one of the key instruments of Hungarian diaspora policy, the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Program (KCSP), which supports Hungarian communities worldwide through the work of scholarship holders. The relevance of this research lies in the fact that today millions of Hungarians live in the diaspora, where preserving cultural identity and sustaining community life are constant challenges. Assessing the effectiveness of the program is therefore of both scholarly and social importance. The aim of the paper is to analyze how KCSP contributes to the preservation and strengthening of diaspora communities, embedded in the theoretical framework of diaspora policies, with particular reference to Alan Gamlen’s three-dimensional diaspora model. The analysis is based on the activity reports of KCSP scholarship holders from 2023 and 2024, as well as a comparison of their main fields of activity. Through content analysis, I classify and examine the reports along categories, including community organization, scouting, the preservation of folk traditions, event organization, commemorations, and religious activities. The expected results of the research indicate that KCSP strengthens the Hungarian identity of the diaspora through the support of cultural and community events, while also reflecting the specific characteristics of each region. Through the example of a functioning diaspora program, my study helps to understand the practical implementation of Alan Gamlen’s capacity-building model.

  • Issue Year: 8/2025
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 51-75
  • Page Count: 25
  • Language: English
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