Timespan:
36 months (01.06.2017- 31.05.2020)

The project at a glance:
The European Migrant Entrepreneurship Network (EMEN) project has been set up by a consortium of European partners well aware that the promotion of migrant entrepreneurship is a challenge in all Northern, Southern and Eastern/Central European countries, to share approaches and lessons learnt on migrant entrepreneurship across and between public administrations, business development support and financial organisations, social enterprises, non-profit organisations, educational institutions and other public and private organisations supporting migrant entrepreneurship at all levels: cities, regions and countries. The aim is to develop, share and promote support schemes not only for individual migrant entrepreneurs but also for social and inclusive enterprises benefitting migrants. Ultimately the knowledge gained will be of use for those developing and promoting support schemes for migrant entrepreneurs, leading to a more inclusive society.

Objectives:
The project will thus “identify and promote the quick implementation of best practices in the fields of outreach to and support for potential entrepreneurs in migrant communities already within the EU, who may not be reached by traditional business start-up support services

• A focus on improving access to the three key factors for the successful support of migrant entrepreneurs: finance, coaching and mentoring, and migrant-friendly mainstream business support;
•   A 360-degree partnership including migrant entrepreneurs themselves as well as mainstream business support services (chambers of commerce), high-level experienced coaches, advisers and finance professionals, social partners and social enterprises
•  Networking and dissemination capacity via a dense network of regional member organisations covering the whole of the EU as well as through a web portal;
• Solid technical experience in structuring and managing multicultural EU-level projects, in animating mutual learning networks, in organising international events, in building and operating websites and in publishing learning resources and reports.

Activities:
This project is comprised by three Work Packages aimed to achieved in different ways the objectives of the project.

Work Package 1: Creation of a network for migrants’ entrepreneurship support.

It has the following three main tasks:

• Setting up the three Communities of Practice.
• Setting up the website and communications system, and subsequently maintaining and animating it.
• Monitoring and reporting activity and achievements throughout the project’s lifespan Work

Package 2: Organization of events and peer-learning activities.

This work package will create learning communities setting special attention on the most important elements of a supportive ecosystem for migrant entrepreneurs

• Coaching and mentoring
• Access to finance
• Professionalisation of migrant entrepreneurs’ associations

Work Package 3: Evaluation, improvement and further development of such existing support schemes.

The review process involves analysing existing practice according to criteria of relevance; feasibility; effectiveness; efficiency and sustainability. The aim is to make possible for service providers to improve the quality of their existing services as well as innovate and expand them.

Partners:
Lead partner:

1. EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR INFORMATION ON LOCAL DEVELOPMENT ELISE INFO, Brussels; Belgium

Other partners:

2. ALDA- European Association for Local Democracy, Strasbourg, France
3. DIESIS COOP, Brussels, Belgium
4. SOCIAL IMPACT GGMBH, Potsdam; Germany
5. UNITEE aisbl, Brussels, Belgium
6. CECOP-CICOPA Europe, Brussels, Belgium
7. EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION, Brussels, Belgium
8.  MERIMNAS OIKOGENEIAS KAI PAIDIOU – KMOP Athens, Greece
9. RESEAU EUROPEEN DES VILLES ET REGIONS DE L\'ECONOMIE SOCIALE AISBL – REVES, Brussels, Belgium
10. STICHTING HOGER BEROEPSONDERWIJN HAAGLANDEN EN RIJNSTREEK - ST HBO; Den Haag, Netherlands
11. ASSOCIATION EUROPEENNE DES AGENCES DE DEVELOPPEMENT – EURADA ; Brussels, Belgium
12. EUROCHAMBRES; Brussels, Belgium

Project website
Visit the dedicated project website: www.emen-project.eu