Transforming from Refugees to Entrepreneurs in Britain

Abstract

Recognizing the importance of refugees as potential entrepreneurs was the main reason that impelled the launch of small business start-up programmes. In Britain, The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN) was the principal institution concerned with refugees as potential entrepreneurs, whereas in Australia, the programme was run by the Ignite Small Business Start-Ups. The research question was based on investigating to what extent the British initiative programmes are immersed in supporting refugees’ transformation into entrepreneurs, and to answer this question the researcher investigated how these programmes provide funds, training, and technical assistance. To place this in context, we compared the case of Britain with what has been achieved in Australia where the first worldwide experimental programme was applied. The aim of this comparison was to draw any lessons learned that could profitability be considered by the British programmes. Data was abstracted from the annual reports, and in addition, interviews conducted with the principals to ask about the size of loans granted, dates of loans, type of projects and the number of loans. It was noticeable that Ignite and TERN took a great interest in training, consulting, and advising their applicants. Both programmes were similar, even in number of beneficiaries. However, in Britain there was more interest in offering loans to potential entrepreneurs, especially the finance offered by the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA). Moreover, some businesses have been distinguished in their achievements, including such well-run successes as Dama Cheese and Fagee Fashion. On the other hand, the Start Up Loan Company offered financing compatible with the principles of Islamic Sharia which encourages more refugees to ask for finance.