projects

Strengthening entrepreneurial skills to advance inclusion

Completed
A group of people stand outside a building and smile at the camera
Programme
UNHCR Innovation Incubator
Fund
Refugee-led Innovation Fund | Incubator
Start Date
Total Project Cost
USD 45,000
Country
Lithuania
Partner organization
Pabėgėlių Taryba (Refugee Council of Lithuania)

Challenge

Lithuania has a rich ecosystem of startups, but refugees are mostly excluded from this ecosystem since entrepreneurship initiatives do not address their specific needs. This prevents refugee entrepreneurs from starting/sustaining enterprises, hindering socioeconomic integration.

Solution

Pabėgėlių Taryba is facilitating market-driven skills acquisition, entrepreneurial development, and innovative partnerships through the Talent Together initiative, which is embedded into existing networks and initiatives at the local and regional level.

Impact

8–15 refugee-led startups will be supported to develop and strengthen entrepreneurial skills and to integrate into the ecosystem. Increased availability of robust data on refugee entrepreneurs, and improved pathways for socioeconomic integration.

Project impact

15
refugee entrepreneurs directly supported & 33 applicants from 8 countries engaged
60%
of participants were women, promoting equal access to opportunities
7
training sessions, 4 networking events & mentoring delivered with support of 25 volunteers

Other information

Read more about the Refugee Council of Lithuania in this webstory.