A project in the North East that aims to harness the skills of refugees has helped created six new business start-ups.
The AMIF project, run by the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) and activist Sarah Ahmadi, aims to integrate refugees into their local communities by making the most of their skills.
The project draws on Ms Ahmadi’s own experience as an asylum seeker when she fled Afghanistan, leaving behind a high-profile job in television.
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It has helped more than 230 people from countries including Syria, Iran, Libya, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Nigeria and the Sudan, with the aim of reaching 350 by the end of the project next year.
Ms Ahmadi said: “I am just one example of the many refugees who hold high level qualifications in their home countries in fields such as medicine, law, entrepreneurship and management. Unfortunately, on arrival to the UK most will end up in menial labour work due to the language barrier.
“But they are keen to improve their English language and knowledge and want to better understand British culture and values. They have the potential to make a real contribution to the UK economy and this project is designed to help them to do that.
“We help find out exactly who they are, what skills and ambitions they have and what gaps need to be filled.”
The project helps refugees with English speaking and writing skills, but also developing business ideas and understanding finance, plus guidance on life in the UK.
It has helped the establishment of a beauty business in South Shields, a mobile phone repair shop in Darlington, a videographer/photographer in Gateshead, a clothing manufacturer in Hebburn, a clothing alterations company in Jarrow and a Community Interest Company offering workshops for artists in Newcastle.
Ernest Dodds, social enterprise adviser at the BIC, said: “AMIF is such a worthwhile project and I am really proud of what we have achieved so far. The feedback has been immensely positive and it’s so refreshing to see the progress of the learners’ language skills, their levels of interaction, confidence and business ideas.
“This project has brought bright new opportunities to the life of these people. Most of our learners were very isolated, unemployed and on benefits when they came to us. The project has brought them together to experience the joy of learning, to help with community cohesion and integration and also improve the quality of their lives.”
The project takes its name from the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, which provides funding.
