Enterprise and Innovation

Ethnic Minorities in to Enterprise

"Development of new businesses created by young people from minority ethnic communities in Leicestershire"

The project supports the development of new businesses created by young people from the minority ethnic community. It will benefit all of Leicestershire, although it will be concentrated on those wards where there is a higher-than-average concentration of these communities.

Organisation: The Prince's Trust

Completion Date: 29/04/2004

Location

Leicestershire

Project Description

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Background
The Leicester Shire Economic Partnership (LSEP) has identified the need to support the development of new businesses created by young people from the minority ethnic community. The Prince's Trust has a track record of accessing and supporting 'hard-to-reach' groups and so is well placed to support the LSEP's strategy to boost minority ethnic enterprise development within the county.

Overcoming barriers
Evidence from elsewhere, including the Trust's own programmes, has shown that providing discreet support for members of the minority ethnic community helps to address the barriers and constraints faced by these individuals. Enhanced, intensified levels of support are often required to ensure minority ethnic business 'start-ups' are enabled to flourish and grow.

Helping young people
The Trust focuses its efforts on young people who struggle at school, are in or leaving care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.

The Prince's Trust has national reach, delivering practical solutions at a local level. We are committed to quality, we enable young people to overcome barriers and we are enterprising in our approach.

With the support of The Ethnic Minority Outreach Manager and Volunteer Business Mentors, The Prince's Trust will ensure that young minority ethnic entrepreneurs have every chance of success with their business start-ups.

Outcomes

Individual successes
The project to date has supported and provided funding to several ethnic minority individuals including a multi-media graphic design partnership, a European, Asian and Afro-Caribbean hairdressing salon; a graphic designer/web designer and a vocal trainer.

The wider aims

• To promote the concept and benefit of entrepreurship and enterprise to the target group.
• To provide intensive business development support through the Outreach Manager.
• To create further minority ethnic start-ups supported by a business mentor for up to three years.
• To provide financial assistance in the form of low interest loans of up to £4,000.
• To increase mentors from minority ethnic groups in Leicestershire to support businesses.
• To build on existing and new working partnerships to further support new businesses.
• Showcasing and providing networking opportunities to new businesses.
• Encouraging new business start-ups and ethnic minority mentors to act as ambassadors in their communities.

Project Contacts

Project manager:
Sonya Osborne
Tel: 0116 248 8183
E-mail: sonya.osborne@princes-trust.org.uk
Website: www.princes-trust.org.uk

LSEP contact:
Niloofar Sarkari
Tel: 0116 257 5678
E-mail: niloofars@lsep.co.uk
Website: www.lsep.co.uk