Entrepreneurship in Movement (EiM) is a catalytic program that fosters the socioeconomic integration of migrants in their host communities and promotes social cohesion; identifying opportunities for socio-economic integration, developing in-demand skills and promoting entrepreneurship with seed capital and access to job opportunities.

3,800

migrants have gained employement or started a business in their new host community

1,300

entrepreneurs trained in business skills

300

entrepreneurs financed to create or improve their business
Migrants are catalysts for development. Their motivation and energy bring new skills, and diversify the national and international market. EiM and our partners in the private sector are generating real changes in the lives of migrant communities by creating opportunities for self-sufficiency, linking migrants to decent and stable employment.

Entrepreneurship potential

Entrepreneurship empowers migrants to establish a new way of life in their host countries and integrate into the local economy as agents of development.

Additionally, tapping into this currently unemployed or underemployed workforce will help recipient countries recover from the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.

Economic benefits

Owning a business allows to have financial security and self-sufficiency. When migrants generate their own livelihoods, they are less likely to be victims of labor exploitation or abuse.

Social benefits

Migrant entrepreneurs create networks with businesses, local suppliers and customers outside their community, forming multicultural societies. Through entrepreneurship, new niches can also be created, where they do not compete with local workers, which can help overcome xenophobia.

Psychological benefits

Creating something for yourself, achieving self-sufficiency, and knowing that something belongs to you in a new environment helps give migrants a sense of dignity after much loss.

Women migrants entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship is a powerful economic strategy for migrant women, who often experience unequal access to training and employment opportunities.

Women who earn a livelihood are more likely to invest in their families and communities (OECD).

Therefore, promoting the economic empowerment of women is essential to eradicate poverty and grow inclusive economies.

Venezuelan context

The collapse of the economy, human rights and public services, along with widespread violence and lack of food, water and medicine have caused a mass exodus of Venezuelans, the largest in the history of Latin America and the Caribbean.

– More than 6 million Venezuelans have already fled to neighboring countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

– Venezuelan migrants are highly skilled – they can help fill much-needed job gaps in receiving countries and contribute to the local economy.

– Despite this ability, 28% of refugees and migrants from Venezuela expressed concerns related to employment and income generation (2019 survey of 11 countries in Latin America)

Entrepreneurship in Movement (EiM) is a catalytic program that fosters the socioeconomic integration of migrants in their host communities and promotes social cohesion; identifying opportunities for socio-economic integration, developing in-demand skills and promoting entrepreneurship with seed capital and access to job opportunities.

690

Entrepreneurs being trained

528

Migrant entrepreneurs receiving seed capital.

40

Existing small companies that have been reinforced or expanded.
Migrants are catalysts for development. Their motivation and energy bring new skills, and diversify the national and international market. EiM and our partners in the private sector are generating real changes in the lives of migrant communities by creating opportunities for self-sufficiency, linking migrants to decent and stable employment.

Entrepreneurship potential

Entrepreneurship empowers migrants to establish a new way of life in their host countries and integrate into the local economy as agents of development.

Additionally, tapping into this currently unemployed or underemployed workforce will help recipient countries recover from the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.

Economic benefits

Owning a business allows to have financial security and self-sufficiency. When migrants generate their own livelihoods, they are less likely to be victims of labor exploitation or abuse.

Social benefits

Migrant entrepreneurs create networks with businesses, local suppliers and customers outside their community, forming multicultural societies. Through entrepreneurship, new niches can also be created, where they do not compete with local workers, which can help overcome xenophobia.

Psychological benefits

Creating something for yourself, achieving self-sufficiency, and knowing that something belongs to you in a new environment helps give migrants a sense of dignity after much loss.

Women migrants entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship is a powerful economic strategy for migrant women, who often experience unequal access to training and employment opportunities.

Women who earn a livelihood are more likely to invest in their families and communities (OECD).

Therefore, promoting the economic empowerment of women is essential to eradicate poverty and grow inclusive economies.

Venezuelan context

The collapse of the economy, human rights and public services, along with widespread violence and lack of food, water and medicine have caused a mass exodus of Venezuelans, the largest in the history of Latin America and the Caribbean.

– More than 6 million Venezuelans have already fled to neighboring countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

– Venezuelan migrants are highly skilled – they can help fill much-needed job gaps in receiving countries and contribute to the local economy.

– Despite this ability, 28% of refugees and migrants from Venezuela expressed concerns related to employment and income generation (2019 survey of 11 countries in Latin America)

Impact

Supporting the socioeconomic integration of Venezuelan migrants is a critical and timely response to the unprecedented economic challenges Latin American host countries are facing.

80
Institutions

When migrants generate their own sustainable livelihoods, they are less likely to be victims of exploitation or labor abuses.

337
Entrepreneurs

who to date have received financing to create or improve their businesses through Entrepreneurship in Movement.

1,372
Entrepreneurs

have been trained in entrepreneurship courses.

Since 2019, Citi Foundation's support of IOM has helped more than 3,864 migrants gain employment or start a business in their new host community.

Identifying opportunities for socioeconomic integration

As a first step, Entrepreneurship in Movement analyzes the local labor market to understand the opportunities to integrate Venezuelan migrants into the economy of their host community.

Boost entrepreneurship

After being trained, participants present their business plans. The most sustainable projects are selected to receive seed capital.

Build business capacity

Through a competitive application process, migrants and locals are selected to receive training courses in entrepreneurship and financial management.

Combat xenophobia

We share life and success stories of Venezuelan migrants to promote empathy among neighbors and show the value that migrants bring to the local economy.

Impact

Supporting the socioeconomic integration of Venezuelan migrants is a critical and timely response to the unprecedented economic challenges Latin American host countries are facing.

80
Institutions

When migrants generate their own sustainable livelihoods, they are less likely to be victims of exploitation or labor abuses.

337
Entrepreneurs

who to date have received financing to create or improve their businesses through Entrepreneurship in Movement.

1,372
Entrepreneurs

have been trained in entrepreneurship courses.

Since 2019, Citi Foundation's support of IOM has helped more than 3,864 migrants gain employment or start a business in their new host community.

Identifying opportunities for socioeconomic integration

As a first step, Emprender en Movimiento analyzes the local labor market to understand the opportunities to integrate Venezuelan migrants into the economy of their host community.

Boost entrepreneurship

After being trained, participants present their business plans. The most sustainable projects are selected to receive seed capital.

Build business capacity

Through a competitive application process, migrants and locals are selected to receive training courses in entrepreneurship and financial management.

Combat xenophobia

We share life and success stories of Venezuelan migrants to promote empathy among neighbors and show the value that migrants bring to the local economy.