Entrepreneur Training Programmes for Refugees Launched in East of England
The Home Office has announced three pilot projects to encourage refugee entrepreneurs to establish businesses, one of which has been awarded to the East of England and will be run by the East of England LGA’s Strategic Migration Partnership.
The pilot will be delivered by MENTA, who provide training and advice to both established and new businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk (www.menta.org.uk) in partnership with the East of England LGA’s Strategic Migration Partnership (SMP).
It is part of a one-year programme jointly funded by the Home Office and the National Lottery Community Fund, which will be overseen by the Centre for Entrepreneurs (CFE).
Working directly with the refugees and established local businesses, the pilot will deliver tailored start-up programmes that will take refugees from the idea stage to the launch of their business.
Minister for Safeguarding and Vulnerability, Victoria Atkins MP, said:
“I am proud of the role the UK plays in providing sanctuary to some of the world’s most vulnerable refugees.
But beyond providing refugees with safety, I am absolutely committed to ensuring they flourish while rebuilding their lives here.
By supporting the development of new businesses, this exciting project will give refugees the best chance to thrive in their new lives in the UK.”
Serving the urban centres of Peterborough, Ipswich and Norwich. the SMP will recruit refugees and MENTA will provide the participants with access to mentoring and peer-to-peer support groups that will be led by local models. This pilot will primarily target refugees who ran businesses in their home country, developing their expertise for the UK. The project will be launched in the region by events highlighting refugee talents over the course of November. If you would like to attend one of these launch events, please contact Louise Gooch at the SMP for more details.
Further details can be found at the following:
- https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/business/new-scheme-to-encourage-refugee-start-ups-in-ipswich-norwich-and-peterborough-1-6327986
- https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/people/peterborough-refugees-offered-help-to-set-up-businesses-in-pilot-project-1-9109601
- https://www.menta.org.uk/news-item/entrepreneur-training-programmes-for-refugees-launched-in-east-of-england
- https://centreforentrepreneurs.org/releases/entrepreneur-training-pilots-for-refugees-launched-across-the-uk/
For more information please contact Louise Gooch at louise.gooch@eelga.gov.uk