The Diaspora Is Returning, But Not Alone

A New Kind of Return

There’s a quiet movement happening across Tunisia.

And it doesn’t look like the kind of return we used to know.

For decades, return meant retirement — or regret.

Come back after your best years abroad, when the passport is full and the energy is low.

Come back to build a villa, not a future.

But now, something else is taking root.

A return that doesn’t ask you to start from zero.

A return that gives you tools, partners, and structure.

This isn’t a call to come home for nostalgia’s sake.

It’s a map of what’s already in motion, so you know you’re not the only one walking it.

Diasporactive : The Infrastructure of Return

Diasporactive, built by the inclusive incubator 1KUB, is one of those rare programs that understands.

Not the politics. Not the slogans.

The reality of being Tunisian abroad — and wondering if there’s a way back that makes sense.

It was created for Tunisians with ideas, skills, and questions:

• Can I build something here?

• Will I be alone?

• Will the system crush me, or can I help reshape it?

Diasporactive offers infrastructure — frameworks, mentors, and local facilitators.

It connects you to people already building, already testing, already returning.

It doesn’t erase the difficulty.

It just means you won’t face it alone.

“Diasporactive promotes a reverse brain drain.” — La Presse, January 2025

A reverse brain drain.

Not escape. Return with direction.

The People Behind the Systems

Behind every functioning system are people who believed before it made sense.

At 1KUB, Jalel Ben Romdhane and Dr. Emna Jemmali have spent years designing frameworks for inclusive entrepreneurship, especially for women and the diaspora.

At Open Minds Community, Yousra Magouri builds bridges between Tunisia and the global tech world through mentoring, shared spaces, and cross-border collaboration.

Between these systems, My Chakchouka was born, as a structure designed to hold dignity and continuity.

Read Our Story.

If You’re Part of the Diaspora, This Is for You

We know what hesitation feels like.

Wanting to return, but afraid it might look like a step back.

Wondering if your work still has meaning here, if the space you left has already closed.

It hasn’t.

You were never forgotten.

And if you decide to come back, you won’t be alone.

There are people, programs, and shared purpose waiting.

Tunisia still belongs to you, even if your footsteps have been gone for years.

If You’re Not Ready Yet

That’s okay.

We’re still here, quietly building.

But if one day the pull is stronger than the fear, come.

You’ll find others.

Some who never left.

Some who came back.

Some who came back different.

And all of them ready to build something that lasts.

If this speaks to you, share it with someone who’s been thinking of coming back.

Sometimes we just need to know we won’t be the only one at the airport.