The Banyan Tree
The aim of this long-term project was
to help refugees in the Cardiff area become self-supporting
entrepreneurs by working with partner organisations to help them
develop the skills and experience that they already have into an
economic opportunity. This would be carried out by working with other
partner organisations who could provide training.
Teaching the principles of free enterprise
Tapping into their existing interests and talents, this project aimed
to teach groups of refugees basic entrepreneurial skills, such as,
accounting, management, business ethics and marketing. Existing skills,
interests and talents can be nurtured to develop a successful product
or service.
Setting up the business
This part of the project would involve working with the group,
including supporting negotiating the purchase of raw materials and
coordinating sales of finished goods or services with local shops and
retailers, and setting up stalls in order to sell the goods.
Sustainability
The future aims of this project
are that the groups worked with would be able to use the skills gained
to either consider setting up in business on their own, or applying
their skills to other employment.
The Banyan Tree project is currently in the planning and research stages.