Enterprising Refugees: Contributions and Challenges in Deprived Urban Areas

Abstract

The role of enterprise in addressing the problems of deprived urban areas has been an area of emphasis within recent British urban policy. Yet the potential for such policies among increasingly diverse and often highly deprived populations remains poorly understood. This issue is particularly pertinent with respect to refugees where self-employment and enterprise creation is a route pursued by some, yet there remains limited understanding of the role and impact of enterprise within refugee communities and the constraints they face. Drawing upon original primary data, this paper presents findings related to the local impacts of refugee enterprises, the constraints refugees face in starting and running enterprises, and the adequacy of existing business support infrastructure to their needs. The paper concludes with a consideration of the challenges for the future development of business support policy and services for refugees.

Notes

¹ In the UK, a ‘refugee’ is a person who, following his/her application for asylum in the UK through the Home Office, has been awarded refugee status (asylum), that is, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or other forms of leave to remain. An ‘asylum seeker’ is the person who is awaiting refugee status determination, which at present takes approximately six months. Asylum seekers are not legally allowed to take up employment or self-employment. Individuals with full refugee status are allowed to seek employment or take on self-employment ventures in the UK and it is entrepreneurs from this group that are the focus of this study.