Conference report: Practice and future questions of start-up advice for people with refugee experiences and from third countries
For people who have fled and come from third countries, self-employment is a path to economic and social participation and independence. Much is known about the motivations behind start-up support projects: for some, starting a business is a continuation of self-employment that they had to give up when they left their country of origin. For others, it is a means of making profitable use of their training and professional experience, as their qualifications are not recognized in the field of employment subject to social insurance contributions.
LOK.a.Motion GmbH is with the project neustart22 for the sixth year in a row, has been working to support people with refugee experiences and people from third countries in setting up their own businesses. The project is funded by the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Enterprises. The neustart expert forum22 served as a joint exchange with our partners in Berlin about the opportunities and existing challenges for start-ups by people with refugee experiences and from third countries.
The event was opened by Berlin's Senator for Economics, Energy and Enterprises, Stephan Schwarz (SPD). In his video message, Senator Schwarz praised the efforts of the people involved in Berlin's start-up consultancy to offer refugees the best possible integration offer in the form of self-employment. The city is setting a good example here.