Project Re-Start Complete: Empowering Migrant Entrepreneurs for Success
Introduction: Entrepreneurship has emerged as a promising avenue for refugees and migrants to integrate into local economies and build sustainable livelihoods. However, they often face significant obstacles that impede their success in business ventures. At Welcome Home International, we are committed to supporting entrepreneurship among migrants and refugees, recognizing its crucial role in promoting their inclusion and economic empowerment. Our recently concluded project, Re-Start, aimed to address these barriers and provide comprehensive support to aspiring migrant entrepreneurs.
Understanding the Challenges: Statistics consistently demonstrate that newcomers are more likely to start new businesses compared to native populations in most OECD countries. However, the survival rate of their companies tends to be lower. This disparity can be attributed to a multitude of challenges faced by migrant entrepreneurs, including their legal status, language barriers, limited entrepreneurial skills, and unfamiliarity with the local business environment. Access to finance also remains a significant hurdle for many.
Empowering Through Knowledge: To tackle these barriers and provide effective support, the Re-Start project embarked on comprehensive research across partner organizations' respective countries. The findings of this research were compiled into an invaluable online resource - the Re-Start Guidebook and database, available in both PDF and web format. This guidebook serves as a comprehensive reference for refugees and migrants interested in starting a new business, covering essential information ranging from residency requirements and necessary agencies to funding options, taxation, and sector-specific legislation in each partner country.
Accessible in Multiple Languages: Recognizing the linguistic diversity among newcomers, we have taken special care to ensure that language barriers do not hinder access to vital information and resources. The Re-Start Guidebook and database are not only available in English but also in the host country languages, including Spanish, Finnish, Portuguese, and French. This inclusive approach ensures that aspiring migrant entrepreneurs can navigate the complexities of starting and running a business in their host countries with confidence and ease.
Empowerment for Economic Stability: The ultimate goal of Re-Start is to empower refugee and migrant entrepreneurs to secure regular incomes, create positive social impacts within their communities, and contribute to the local economy. By providing comprehensive guidance and facilitating access to relevant information, we aim to equip these entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed. Through entrepreneurship, they can establish themselves as valuable contributors, break down barriers, and inspire others within their communities.
Celebrating Success and Next Steps: As the Re-Start project comes to a close, we are proud of the outcomes achieved and the impact made. We invite you to visit our project website, where you can explore our results and download the Re-Start Guidebook for migrant entrepreneurs. Together, let us celebrate the achievements of these resilient individuals who are shaping their own futures and making a positive difference in their host communities.
Conclusion: At Welcome Home International, we firmly believe in the potential of entrepreneurship to empower refugees and migrants. Through the Re-Start project, we have taken significant strides in supporting aspiring migrant entrepreneurs, addressing the barriers they face, and fostering their economic integration. We remain committed to this cause and will continue our efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment where migrant entrepreneurs can thrive, contribute, and achieve lasting success.
Project Number: 2021-1-BE01-KA210-ADU-000034932
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReStarterasmusproject/
Website: https://projectrestart.eu/