Refugee Council
The Refugee Council is the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. We are a strongly independent organisation and a registered charity.
We believe asylum seekers and refugees should be treated with understanding and respect. We not only give help and support, but also work with them to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed.
The Refugee Council is leading the delivery of ‘Refugees into Business’. This includes management of the project team, direct delivery of project activities in the West Midlands and national promotion including the development of this web-site.
Refugee Council website
Refugee Action
Refugee Action is an independent national charity that works with refugees to build new lives in the UK. With more than 20 years' experience in reception, resettlement, development and integration, it provides advice and support to asylum seekers and refugees in 10 regions across England.
Refugee Action is leading on Refugee into Business's regional work in the North West of England. Building on our extensive relationships with refugee communities, it will deliver training and support to refugee entrepreneurs, refugee-led organisations and mainstream business support agencies.
Refugee Action website
The Prince's Trust
The Prince’s Trust is a charity helping change young lives in the UK. For the last 30 years, The Trust has given practical and financial support to 14 to 30-year-olds, developing skills such as confidence and motivation in those who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.
Its Business programme is one of the most well-known start-up schemes in the UK, helping over 60,000 young people set up in business since 1983. After twelve months, 96% of young people supported through the Business Programme say they are still self-employed or in alternative employment, education or training.
The Prince’s Trust has developed a collection of seventeen downloadable start-up guides including guidance for refugees.
Prince's Trust website
Community Action Network
Community Action Network (CAN) is the UK's leading organisation for the development, promotion and support of social entrepreneurs. CAN aims to stimulate new, entrepreneurial ways to tackle social problems more effectively by connecting people in communities, bringing together those from voluntary and not-for-profit organisations with the public and private sectors to enable the sharing of ideas and practical experience, and encourage innovation. Since January 2005, CAN has been providing business training and advice to refugees living in London interested in setting up a social enterprise.
CAN has contributed to the development of the self-help guide and toolkits
and sits on Refugees into Busines’s Advisory Group.
Community Action Network website
Social Enterprise London
Social Enterprise London is the heart and voice of the social enterprise sector in London. We promote community, best practice, advocacy & development - working directly with individuals, organisations and regional government to help them realise their vision through social enterprise.
Social enterprise is an alternative business model where organisations are equally committed to generating economic, social and environmental profit - otherwise known as multiple bottom lines - in order to create meaningful and lasting change in the community.
Social Enterprise London website
Refugee Women's Association
The Refugee Women’s Association was formed in 1995 with the aim of empowering refugee women. Our services include advice and support with education, customised training, employment, health and social care. We aim to be a model of best practice, promoting awareness of the needs and aspirations of refugee women to the public and decision makers.
Refugee Women's Association website
Education Action International
Education Action International works with people affected by conflict in their home countries and countries of refuge. We aim to support children and adults to achieve their potential through literacy, life-skills and employment training.
We run a five day training programme, Business Start Up, course for unemployed refugees and asylum seekers who are interested in setting up their own business or starting a social enterprise.
Education Action International website
Small Business Service
In late 2004, the UK government’s Small Business Service invited the Refugee Council to bring together a partnership of agencies to develop and implement a proposal to assist refugees to set up or sustain their own businesses.
The Refugee Enterprise Partnership, led by the Refugee Council was formed. In 2005 it secured a grant of £450,000 from the Small Business Service’ Phoenix Fund to run a major project during 2006. The partners are Social Enterprise London, Education Action International, Refugee Women’s Association, Community Action Network, The Princes Trust, Refugee Action and The Refugee Council.
Phoenix Fund website
