CONNECT is a European project funded by the Interreg North-West Europe Programme. It brings together partners from across the region to strengthen how local and regional support systems help migrant entrepreneurs overcome barriers to starting and growing businesses.

Migrant entrepreneurs often face challenges in accessing networks, services, training and finance. CONNECT focuses on improving cooperation between authorities, enterprise agencies and community organisations, developing training for frontline practitioners, and creating a practical action plan to embed inclusive support into policy and delivery systems.

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Ballyhoura Development’s Role in the Project

Ballyhoura Development CLG is the Irish partner in the project. We contribute expertise from across the Ballyhoura region and help shape tools and approaches that work in a rural community context.

Our work will include:

• Mapping migrant entrepreneurship supports across the Ballyhoura region
• Identifying gaps and barriers in rural areas
• Contributing rural evidence and practice insights to the European Joint Strategy
• Supporting the development of the Train the Trainer Framework
• Piloting and validating inclusive training modules locally
• Engaging local stakeholders, enterprise bodies and community organisations
• Contributing to the development of ConnectAction, the project’s long-term implementation plan

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Project Partners

CONNECT brings together partners from across North-West Europe, including:

• Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Work and Technology (Lead Partner), Germany
• Chair in Small Business and Entrepreneurship, University of Bremen, Germany
• BRYCK GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
• Duisburg Business & Innovation GmbH, Germany
• Work of Possibilities, Belgium
• Atlantic Technological University, Ireland
• Erasmus Centre of Entrepreneurship, Netherlands
• Stadmakers, Belgium
• Grdr – Migrant Citizenship Development, France
• The Whitaker Peace & Development, France
• Ballyhoura Development CLG, Ireland
• Rotterdam Impact Agency, Netherlands