Successful launch for start-up training for entrepreneurial refugees within our region
A new pilot aimed to encourage refugee entrepreneur programs across the UK was successfully launched today with the Centre for Entrepreneurs (CFE) with funding from the Home Office and the National Lottery Community Fund.
This project is an exciting opportunity for refugees with good ideas, who are looking to start their own business, to showcase their talents to local people who would like to assist them on their journey.
The first of three scheduled events were held in Ipswich on 21st November, hosted by MENTA, the not for profit organisation, long established within the Suffolk and Norfolk business community for providing advice, business skills training and opportunities for new start-ups and existing businesses, and enjoyed great success.
A further event was held in Peterborough with one also planned to take place in Norwich on the 28th of November from 11am-2.30pm at The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich, NR2 1AW.
This will be another excellent opportunity for businesses and members of the community to meet local refugees and discuss ways in which “you” may get involved and support this exciting new project.
The aim of the project is to offer support in way such as:
Trainer, Supporter, Mentor, Community Champion, Adviser
The project allows refugees to move forward with the process of integration as part of the government’s commitment to increase integration support for all refugees in the UK, with a key focus on employment. ‘MENTA are proud to be leading this exciting project for the East of England.
MENTA’s enterprise & project manager John Neild said “The plan is to provide a range of specialist support from our region to offer these budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to gain the confidence, information and knowledge required to start their new business within the local communities”.
Anyone interesting in attending to support refugees, please go to smp.eelga.gov.uk/events to register.
This is an excellent opportunity for communities to embrace the skills and opportunities that these entrepreneurial refugees offer and a chance to help them with their business ideas and their integration into the community.
