Diaspora contributions: evidence from the Outliers network building in Guatemala

This community case study examined Outliers, a network-based community launched in 2024 to reconnect members of Guatemala's professional and scientific diaspora with local entrepreneurs and foreign residents committed to contributing positive change in the country. The study documented outcomes and lessons from the community's first year, focusing on strengthening national innovation capacity through structured networking and collaborative exchange. Using a mixed-methods case study design, data were drawn from survey responses of 93 members and follow-up qualitative insights to explore participants' motivations, engagement patterns, perceived value creation, and barriers to sustained involvement. Findings revealed high cross-sector diversity, strong demand for meaningful professional connections, and evidence of trust-building and knowledge exchange across borders. Members reported forming new collaborations and accessing expertise otherwise unavailable within local networks. Key limitations included time constraints, coordination challenges, and the community's early-stage governance structure. This research contributes to the literature on diaspora knowledge networks by providing empirical evidence that intentionally designed professional communities can facilitate early-stage relational infrastructure in emerging innovation ecosystems. It underscores how structured engagement of diaspora actors can strengthen national innovation capacity, promote cross-border collaboration, and support sustainable development initiatives in resource-constrained contexts. Outliers addresses these gaps by mobilizing dispersed professional and scientific networks to enhance persistent challenges related to access to specialized talent, fragmented innovation ecosystems, and the underutilization of knowledge and expertise embedded within its professional and scientific diaspora, collective problem-solving, and innovation. The case highlights the potential of intentional network design to bridge skills gaps and facilitate knowledge transfer in emerging economies.