Training for migrants within the framework of ERIAS project

The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a virtual training for migrants on the topic: Entrepreneurship and how to start a business in Bulgaria, organized under the ERIAS project (European Refugee Integration Scheme).

The lecturers Prof. Dr. Daniela Bobeva from VUZF University and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Radostin Vazov, Deputy Rector for European Projects and Continuing Education of VUZF elaboraded on  two main topics:

• Entrepreneurship training - challenges and solutions for migrants.
• Legal framework and financing of migrant entrepreneurship.

Foreigners from third countries living in Bulgaria took part in the training. It was carried out in line with the BCCI's commitments to the ERIAS project, the main goal of which is to create a favorable environment for the inclusion of foreigners from third countries in the EU labor market. There are two ways to achieve this goal: as employees or as entrepreneurs. According to Prof. Bobeva, migrant entrepreneurs have several advantages over local people starting their own business, as they can observe the environment from the sidelines and easily find a successful business idea and market niche. Assoc. Prof. Vazov gave examples of such successful endeavors: an entrepreneur from Syria opened a catering company in Bulgaria, which successfully offers food according to different seasons and religious holidays. Another example was given with a family from Ukrainian that opened a small factory for handmade candies.

The participants in the training got acquainted to the differences between management and entrepreneurship, with the challenges and mistakes in the preparation of the business idea, its financing and implementation. Last but not least, it was discussed how to assess properly the costs and expected revenues as well as issues related to the team that will make the business idea a reality.

Prof. Bobeva described the ERIAS project and the support provided by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Sofia, Haskovo and Stara Zagora, which are partners in it together with organizations from Italy, Spain, France, Belgium and Greece, as an extremely good message to migrants. She explained the need for migrant entrepreneurship due to the characteristics of the demographic environment, the growth rate of the Bulgarian economy and its ups and downs. Funding sources for entrepreneurs and appropriate sources of useful information were discussed, both by sector and for specific activities related to doing business.

The lecturers gave a lot of practical advice to the participants on the path of entrepreneurship.

The implementation of the ERIAS project in Bulgaria continues until the end of 2021. Under its program, Bulgarian language courses for foreigners from third countries, organized by the BCCI, have started in early June.

For additional information: tel .: 02 8117489, e-mail: interdpt@bcci.bg, BCCI, Directorate for International Cooperation and International Organizations.