Germany
Entrepreneurs without
frontiers |
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The
institution "Entrepreneurs without frontiers"
is a confederation of about 70 foreign enterprises, set
up in Hamburg: it's an information and advice centre for
foreign business start-up and small enterprises.
Target group of the project are immigrants/people with
immigration background, who have ideas for business start-ups,
as well as owners of small and medium enterprises.
The development of the economic participation of non-Germans
can be described by the expression "The development
from immigrant workers to entrepreneurs". What many
years ago appeared still inconceivable, gains today more
and more significance: An increasing readiness for the
jump into the self-employment.
Most
of the foreign entrepreneurs were dependent employed before.
The worsening on the job market worsened also the perspectives
of immigrants to find a job. On the other side new ways
were opened to self-employment. Many of them have established
an enterprise in city quarters, they are taking part in
the local economy. Most of the foreign entrepreneurs are
registered in quarters with high immigrant rates. The
"ethnical" oriented trades might be important
also for immigrants until today.
Foreign
enterprises represent an increasing economic importance.
There are not only more foreign enterprises than in former
times, but they are more and more interlaced with the
local economy. Their employment and turnover figures are
rising and they are present in nearly all business areas.
In this context also the rising number of business start-ups
of immigrants can be seen. In particular there exists
continuous start-up boom of the Non- German population.
The
"Boom" is as well obvious in Hamburg. According
to the data of the regional statistic office, the number
of foreign self-employed increased between 1990 and 2000
from 5,200 to approximately 15,000.
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Description
of the problem: |
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In
Hamburg exists a network of advice institutions especially
for business start ups and enterprises. However, there
was long time a lack of consulting offers for the special
needs of immigrants and their enterprise characteristics.
A specific disadvantage of this group results from the
communication of the relevant institutions (chambers of
commerce/ trade, authorities, banks etc.) which is very
concentrated on Western European habits and many times
doesn't considerate the start up characteristics of persons
with immigration background. This disadvantage has the
consequence that many enterprises of immigrants suffer
- in difference to German small and medium enterprises
- from a delay of development and modernisation due to
the structural changes. Especially enterprises of immigrants
have a need of support concerning the development from
a "family business" to the marketable enterprise.
Special
needs of consulting for business start-ups and enterprises
of immigrants are - usually due to the different languages
and cultural background - e.g.
· Consulting offers in the native language
· Bringing together more differently (cultural)
ways of thinking
· Dismantling of inhibitions in relation to authorities
and/or in relation to German bureaucracy
· Dismantling of information deficits
· Switching of economical Know how
· Support concerning the solution of financing
problems·
· Intensive general support.
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Description
of the solution: |
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The
information and advice centre of "Entrepreneurs without
frontiers" builds a bridge between foreign business
start-ups and enterprises on the one hand and the institutions,
which are responsible for the promotion of economy development
and the Hamburg network for business start-ups on the other
hand. The centre co-operates closely with existing institutions
in the Hamburg network of business start-ups. The centre
tries to bring together foreign enterprises or immigrants
with start-up ideas and the existing infrastructure of advice
centres. The activities of the organization are primarily
directed toward the improvement of the chances of immigrants
and their participation in the economic process.
The association "Entrepreneurs without frontiers"
is dedicated to the needs and characteristics of immigrants
in the business star-up phase and/or in the management consultation
and offers the target group the following:
· Orientation and information
· Assistance to get information
· Information about general basic conditions for
the creation of business
· Intensive technical advice
· Organisation of seminars
· Organisation of meetings
· Activities of public relation
· Topic-referred seminars (to topics such as negotiating
patterns, financing etc.)
The advisors of "Entrepreneurs without frontiers"
speak five different languages (Turkish, Kurdish, Serbo-Croatian,
Spanish, Russian, English). Therefore many immigrants with
different origins can be addressed. The advice is offered
in two city districts in Hamburg with a high rate of immigrants
(St. Pauli and Wilhelmsburg).
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We consider this programme as a good practice due to it
has become a service of reference for the creation of companies
among the immigrant community at Hamburg.
The
agents implied are the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, the
Association of City Development, the Hamburger Network for
business starts-up, and Lawaetz Foundation.
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Practical
considerations : |
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The staff required for the advice and information centre
are 1 project leader (who works as well as advisor), 2 advisors
and 1 administration employee.
This
project was born in August 2001. The sources of funding
are the European Social Fund, the Department of City Development,
the Department of Economý and the Department of social
Affairs. The financial resources needed for 3 years are
900.000 Euros.
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IF
YOU WISH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT TO:
Unternehmer
ohne Grenzen e.V.
Kazim Abaci.
Neuer
Kamp 30.
D-20357 Hamburg
Fon. ++40/ 432 09 241
Unternehmer-ohne-Grenzen@hamburg.de
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