Database of labour market practices
This database gathers practices in the field of employment submitted by European countries for the purposes of mutual learning. These practices have proven to be successful in the country concerned, according to its national administration. The European Commission does not have a position on the policies or measures mentioned in the database.
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| Original Title: | STAR/T: pre-startup community voor statushouders in Twente |
| Country: | Netherlands |
| Responsible body: | STAR/T is an initiative of the University of Twente and Mindt, in collaboration with the ROZ Group, TIB-advies and Delitelabs. The project is co-financed by ESF, municipalities from the Twente region, the Province of Overijssel and private investors. |
| Name(s) of other organisations involved (partners / sub-contractors): | Inclusive Start-up School DELITELABS – since 2020 leading organisation; TIB advise (consulting company); ROZ (cooperative venture of the municipalities in the region of Twente) |
| Start Year of implementation: | 2017 |
| End Year of implementation: | Ongoing |
| EU policy relevance: | Within the context of the European Employment Strategy (ESS) this practice is relevant to Employment Guideline 5: Boosting the demand for labour. Within the context of the European 2020 Strategy this project contributes to active and social inclusion of vulnerable groups at risk of poverty. The project also contributes to the Action Plan on the integration of third-country nationals. |
| National labour market context: | Since 2000 the Netherlands experienced a rapid increase in self-employment (mostly own account work) in a very flexible labour market. The rate of self-employment increased between 2000 and 2017 to 16.7% of total employment. As a result of this increase, two legal regulations have been implemented to support the unemployed who want to start their own business:
In the recent years the UWV and a growing number of municipalities have actively supported unemployed people to start their own business. The 355 municipalities in the Netherlands have the authority to make their own policy to help people find work. Because of the flexible labour market, support for starting a business has thus become a reintegration tool and is an important part of the national, regional and local labour market policy. The integration of third-country nationals, most specifically refugees, has been a top priority for government and social partners. Coping with various obstacles, in terms of language, trauma or (not recognized) skills, entering the labour market has been a major challenge for this group. Traditional jobs and active labour market measures not always seem most effective or efficient. Municipalities in charge of (re-)interation are therefore continuously looking for innovative integrated approaches. |
| Policy area: | Active labour market policies, Job creation |
| Specific policy or labour market problem being addressed: | To promote entrepreneurship among the unemployed with a migration background. |
| Aims and objectives of the policy or measure: | The aim of STAR/T is to support people with a migrant background and a desire to create their own business by providing them an innovative entrepreneurial programme. The initiators of STAR/T describe their goal as “supporting innovative, creative and enterprising permit holders in developing a promising and sustainable company.” The ultimate goal is to develop a sustainable employment for refugees, and other target groups distant to the labour market, to help start a business. |
| Main activities / actions underpinning the policy or measure: | STAR/T offers a programme of 15 to 20 group training sessions based on design thinking, lean start-up methodology and leadership development. Over a period of 6-8 weeks, training sessions are offered to support participants in developing their idea into a business concept. Once their business idea is developed, participants pitch their concept to the group and test a prototype with a customer who gives feedback for further development. The initiative involves a mix of external trainers and experts from the business community and internal trainers. It also draws coaches from a pool of experienced entrepreneurs from different economic sectors. |
| Geographical scope of policy or measure: | Regional |
| Target groups: | Migrants |
| Outputs and outcomes of the policy or measure: | Outputs Between 2017 and 2019, three programmes have been launched, for 47 participants in total. Outcomes
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STAR/T: the start-up community for refugees in Twente