Business Incubators For Refugees

One of the challenges for refugees starting their own businesses is the lack of market knowledge. However, there are ways to overcome this. For example, universities can partner with other organisations to offer informal training sessions to refugees. Similarly, in Turkey, the Startup Refugee platform has a membership of over 500 refugees and creates profiles to map needs.

These incubators offer support to refugees by providing financial capital, business equipment and materials. Some incubators also offer reduced rent schemes to encourage entrepreneurship. In addition, universities can help refugees by offering resources on business matters. This can reduce the incubator costs while improving the quality of the business ventures. Moreover, university-based refugee-run business incubators can also help them establish a network of business contacts that can further help them establish a successful business.

The increasing number of refugees are starting their own businesses in Egypt with the hope of improving their livelihoods. In fact, Syrian entrepreneurs in Egypt have started nearly 2,000 new factories in the country since the war broke out. Many of these businesses have created jobs for local host communities. Yet, most refugees do not have access to the necessary resources.

To help refugees establish their businesses in host countries, VIFRE has developed a virtual incubator platform. The project is a partnership between three academic institutions and NGOs in three different countries. It aims to promote social entrepreneurship and foster social inclusion for refugees.