Interview Series: SINGA Switzerland
SINGA Switzerland, is a new social enterprise founded last December (2016), that promotes economic development among refugees.
I sat down with Mirjam to discuss why Switzerland needs economic programs, rather than social integration programs.
About SINGA- creating programs with refugees
SINGA Switzerland was founded by Seraina Soldner and myself last December.
SINGA is part of an international network that was first created 5 years ago in France and now has chapters around the world, with Switzerland being the most recent chapter to be opened. Each chapter is unique, but all are based on a strong set of inclusive values. The idea behind SINGA is to create an environment where people with and without refugee background can exchange at eye level and with mutual respect
It’s really important that we co-create our programs together with people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, rather than for them. We believe that every person has potential and ideas that they can bring to society, and that is the strongest value that unites all of us.
There is no fixed program, and every SINGA analyses the local market and the local community. In Zürich, our main platform is the SINGA Factory — it is startup program for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds who want to launch a tech business in Switzerland, The program akes place over the course of six months, with a structure that offers 1–2 workshops a week that cover topics from business creation to financial planning, legal workshops as well as personal development coaching. We also welcome people from Switzerland, as long as they team up with participants from refugee and migrant backgrounds to create and build out their idea.
SINGA Factory — a 6-month startup program -> or focusing on startup support
We started the SINGA Factory with the great support of our main donor Engagement Migros and after noticing a distinct lack of economic programs that targeted highly skilled migrants and refugees. Engagement Migros has played a crucial role in the selection process and without their support we could not run the SINGA factory. They largely identified the need for a startup program for refugees and were looking for organisations that were doing something similar.
Although Switzerland has a lot of social programs, there are few programs that give refugees the opportunity to create their own employment prospect. Refugees and migrants who come to Switzerland want to find work but it can be really difficult. This might be because of their legal status, foreign qualifications, language barriers but sometimes also because of prejudices against people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Launching their own business is often the only solution they can possibly use their skills and professional experience
December 2016 to now — setting up the pilot
Setting up the program we listened to SINGA Germany who have had very similar experiences but without a tech focus; The SINGA Factory has a specific tech focus. We always include refugees voices and they often come up with issues we had never thought of. These includes legal aspects and talking about what they are legally allowed to launch as well as transcultural aspects and what the local business language should be.
About Mirjam — from government work to SINGA
Before launching SINGA, I was working for the Swiss government in development aid, but I left that job last summer and decided to launch my own idea, although I had no idea what I would be doing! Working for the Swiss government, I could identify with the purpose but missed the impact, and I was only one little part of a system and wanted to have a bigger role and bigger impact.
Applications for the first round of SINGA Factory
On September 18th we are starting the first round of SINGA Factory. People can apply for the program now through our website, and we are looking for participants from all backgrounds. Apply here: http://singaswitzerland.ch/en/singafactory/
Every participant is accompanied by a mentor, business support, and has the support of someone if there are other obstacles or challenges.
Finally, we are breaking barriers and work closely with the private sector. We try to involve the private sector as much as possible through workshops, to allow both sides to exchange and learn from each other, and we are working currently with different Swiss companies who provide business and legal support to us and our participants.
To find out more check out SINGA Switzerland here: http://singaswitzerland.ch/
