Springboard 2021 Roadshow

Viken - Østfold
March 15 - 18
Hosted Digitally

Viken - Buskerud
March 22 - 25
Hosted Digitally

Viken - Akershus
March 29 - 31
Hosted Digitally

Entrepreneur Founder Changemaker Driver Doer

What is Springboard

Springboard addresses the difficulties that people of immigrant background face in Norway particularly as they relate to securing employment or growing their own businesses.

Springboard empowers immigrants, especially women, with the tools they need to start their own businesses. The primary goal of this project is to provide professional training through detailed courses and mentorship for immigrants to secure the skills and knowledge they need to improve their lives and start sustainable businesses.

Training will be provided across via in-person and digital courses on vital topics and information needed to successfully start and grow a business (i.e. making a business plan, business strategy, accounting, marketing and branding, technology tools to grow your business) and/or find work. The in-person courses will take place in six Norwegian cities.

*There are no costs involved in participating in the program.

Why Springboard?

People of immigrant backgrounds encounter varying degrees of discrimination on the grounds such as gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference or socio-economic position. In Norway today, many immigrants (women and men alike) believe that they are unlikely to secure skilled work regardless of their academic attainment and professional experience. They often attribute this to their race, ethnicity, religion, language barrier and the perception of being “the other” or foreign.

This belief continues to be the trend and has now become the status quo, as newly arrived immigrant people learn that their opportunities are limited. For those able to secure employment, they are often employed in low-skilled jobs. With Springboard, we plan to challenge societal limitations that have been internalised by people in our target group, and chart a new way forward, together.

What We Will Do

The primary goals of this project are to amplify the voices of immigrants on the economic, social and professional challenges they face, and, to provide a training platform for business skills acquisition and entrepreneurship. This project seeks to not only highlight existing problems but also find actionable solutions by engaging with stakeholders across social and economic sectors. Through this series of events, we aim to facilitate competence development, business understanding and strengthened self-esteem for immigrant people in cities across Norway.

With Springboard, we aim to amplify the conversation on professional empowerment for our target group, whilst creating a platform for visibility, job opportunities, and socio-economic progress for immigrant and minority groups in Norway. In so doing, we hope to break barriers, create networks and enable employment opportunities that will empower.

STRATEGY

APPROACH

Identify & engage with all stakeholders
Open applications in each city for interested participants to join program
Map out ecosystem & collect relevant data
Launch program in each city & execute on measurable goals

ACTIVITIES

Host Springboard Launch Seminar (in each city) with community thought-leaders & stakeholders
Run masterclasses over a defined number of days
Facilitate relevant skill acquisition & networking sessions
Connect participants to mentors & extended network

OUTCOME

A minimum of 30% of participants establish sustainable companies
New professional networks, business skills, job opportunities for participants
Continued support & mentorship for participants
Complete a data driven report to map impact, experience & best practices

- WHO YOU ARE -

IDENTITY

18 – 65 years of age, and identify as being an immigrant, a member of a minority group, or a repat.

INTEREST

Have an interest in starting your own company and may already have a business idea.

PERSONALITY

Self-starter, energetic, ambitious and eager to improve your professional and personal life.

- WHAT YOU GET -

BUSINESS SKILLS

Over 16 hours of learning that includes business skills acquisition, branding, marketing and networking.

ONLINE COURSEPORTAL

Courses on relevant topics that include Business Strategy, Digital Marketing, Financial & Legal requirements that is accessible 24/7.

NETWORK & MENTORSHIP

Increase your network & opportunities. Learn from experts & experienced entrepreneurs.

THE PROGRAM

ON-SITE COURSE

We will hold in-person workshops in cities across Norway throughout the year. The Springboard workshop will provide skills and tools needed to accelerate your business acumen and grow your business. Selected participants will receive tailored feedback on their ideas and projects. They will also learn from industry experts and entrepreneurs who will share tools and best practices.

DIGITAL COURSE PLATFORM

The digital platform will provide various multi-media resources full of video courses, documents and tools to assist your entrepreneurial journey. Participants of the on-site workshops will also join the digital platform to access additional resources and continue learning and improving their skills from the comfort of their homes.

This platform is free and open (with registration) to everyone and members of our target groups across Norwegian towns, cities and communes.

More information will bes sent out to participants and published on our social media.