In 2025, in Sevilla, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) reaffirmed the role of remittances and diaspora capital for inclusive growth, resilience and sustainable development, particularly in rural areas. The Sevilla Commitment (Compromiso de Sevilla) underscores the importance of private finance in financing development, including through improved access to financing, remittances, correspondent banking relationships and diaspora investment, and reflects a shared recognition that progress now depends on moving decisively from commitment to action.
The public and private sector are called upon to act together to close the financing gap needed to transform agrifood systems, strengthen food security and nutrition, and unlock inclusive economic opportunity including through entrepreneurship, decent employment, reliable infrastructure and climate action.
Within this context, remittances—nearly US$700 billion annually to low- and middle- income countries—stand out as a large, stable and dependable financial flow that already support millions of rural households. Estimates suggest that one-third of remittances reach rural areas. Alongside diaspora entrepreneurs and investors, these flows represent a powerful yet under-leveraged source of private finance for rural development, whose full potential to drive entrepreneurship, employment and local economic transformation has not yet been fully realised.
Remittances already play a critical role for households: helping families manage risk, smooth income and respond to shocks – often providing the first line of support at household level in times of economic or climate stress. The challenge, and the opportunity, is to build on this existing resilience and translate it into lasting economic empowerment and opportunity.
Rural territories form the first mile of global food systems and underpin national economies. Home to 44 per cent of the world’s population and nearly 80 per cent of the world’s extreme poor, these areas sit at the frontline of global crises and economic risk. They face challenges from climate shocks and market volatility, but they also hold immense potential. With the right support, small-scale producers can drive growth, reduce poverty, strengthen food security, improve nutrition outcomes, and build resilience in their communities.
IDFR 2026 is conceived as a call to action for public institutions, the private sector and civil society to focus collective effort on how remittances can be better supported to drive more durable household resilience and drive decent work opportunities, employment and entrepreneurship in rural communities—especially for women and youth.
The future belongs to young women and men seeking the tools, resources and opportunities to shape their own paths. Where such opportunities are lacking, economic pressure can make migration a necessity rather than a choice.
By supporting diaspora, remittance-receiving households and returnees, and by linking remittances and investments to opportunity at home, policymakers, development partners and the private sector can boost entrepreneurship, job creation, climate-resilient rural communities and broader local economic development.
IDFR 2026 is carved within the #FamilyRemittances decade campaign 2020–2030: Support one billion people to reach their own SDGs.
Realising this shift – from coping to opportunity – requires more than access to remittance services alone. It requires working hand in hand with the private sector and harnessing technology and innovation to deliver affordable, digital and people-centred financial services that allow families not only to receive money, but also to save, borrow, insure and invest.
It also depends on strong enabling environments, including coherent policies, capable institutions and inclusive digital infrastructure – with public actors playing a key role through incentives, risk-sharing and blended approaches that leverage remittances and diaspora capital to translate these financial flows —and the skills and knowledge that accompany them—into sustained local economic impact.
The 2026 IDFR Campaign calls the private sector, the public sector, and the civil society to:
+ the migrants sending money and the receiving families.
