There is a prevailing bias, even amongst the actors directly involved, to consider activities
falling under the migration-development banner as bipolar engagements, i.e. activities
linking a country of origin of migrants to their country of present residence. Such
conceptualisations assume the nation-state as the default frame of reference. Whilst
progress has certainly been made towards a necessary sophistication of migration related
issues in policy thinking and related academic research, the migration-development nexus
remains something still often considered as essentially something to approach within a
singular or bipolar nation-state framework. This can be seen in studies of potential policy
interventions related to transnational flows such as human capital transfers, remittance
flows and community development projects initiatives. Taking the case of the Transnational
Synergy for Cooperation and Development (TRANSCODE) Programme, and focusing on
empirical insights gained with this programme in relation to its conceptual underpinnings,
we explore alternative modes of incorporating migration and development. This article
thus seeks to provide insights in opportunities for alternative initiatives resulting out of
cross-fertilization of experiences and ideas between migrant organisations and other actors
engaged in migration and development efforts