Kateryna Rigg (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), Julia Godorowska (Fundacja Ocalenie), Wojciech Mróz (Ashoka) and Grzegorz Wach (NESsT) during a discussion about the refugee situation in Central Eastern Europe
Launched in partnership with IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and the Cisco Foundation, the NESsT Refugee Employment Initiative invests in enterprises that improve the labor inclusion of refugees in Central and Eastern Europe. The initiative has the impact goal of creating 3,000 jobs and improving the lives of 5,000 refugees.
From June 19-20, we hosted a two-day welcome summit for the first cohort of enterprises we welcomed into the portfolio.
The online event brought together entrepreneurs, IKEA co-workers, NESsT portfolio managers, members of the IKEA Social Entrepreneurship team as well as other partners.
“It’s impressive to hear how the participating enterprises have integrated a social impact mission into their business operations, and how they’ve already created positive change for people from vulnerable or marginalized groups, whether refugees from Ukraine or people with disabilities. Given the enterprises’ track record and strength of commitment, we’re excited to see how the programme can further accelerate their socially impactful operations and create long-lasting integration opportunities.”
– Tirza Voss, Programme Coordinator, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship
Discussions centered on how enterprises can adapt their models to accommodate refugees from diverse backgrounds, provide career training and support with upskilling and reskilling, and connect displaced individuals to dignified jobs in the labor market.
The event was also a chance for entrepreneurs to hear from current NESsT portfolio enterprises that have accessed tailored, strategic advice and support with business decisions to scale their companies and amplify their impact.
“We are delighted to be working together towards a better world, fostering growth and collectively defining the factors that set a social enterprise apart from a traditional enterprise.”
– Yves Pauwels, General Manager, Box Elyte
The cohort of REI enterprises will have access to one-on-one mentoring and masterclasses held by professionals in the IKEA, NESsT and Cisco networks covering key business topics such as sales, marketing, business growth, as well as impact topics on gender equity and sustainability.
“As part of this program, we hope to gain valuable insight through mentorship, access resources that will fuel our growth in the industry, expand our reach with new strategic partnerships, and create a diverse team to drive innovation and career change.”
– Patryk Pijanowski, Nebucode
To date, NESsT has welcomed nine enterprises into the portfolio.
“Before joining our portfolio, these companies had already helped hundreds of refugees find quality jobs. By supporting businesses that prioritize the financial autonomy of refugees, we are working to promote resilience, self-sufficiency, and long-term economic growth in communities affected by displacement.”
Meet the first cohort of enterprises:
Poland 🇵🇱
Supports the labor integration of minorities, people with disabilities, and refugees
The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship Development Być Razem (“Being Together”) is a social enterprise in Poland that operates various business lines, including laundry and catering services and a carpentry workshop, where products are crafted for the WellDone brand. The Foundation runs comprehensive training and re-adaptation programs for marginalized individuals, creating individual career paths and placing participants in the social enterprise’s internal business lines or the open job market.
Provides dignified jobs and training in the hospitality and catering sector to marginalized individuals
Dworzysko is a recreational complex located in the south west of Poland. Combining a passion for caring for the environment and the local community with circular economy principles, the resort offers high-quality accommodation, outdoor activities, and sustainable catering options. Almost 85% of Dworzysko’s workforce is from marginalized backgrounds, including Ukrainian refugees, single mothers, and individuals from low-income rural households. Dworzysko ensures employees have access to capacity building and facilitates cyclical vocational training in kitchen operations, hotel reception, housekeeping, and restaurant serving.
Connects refugee women, especially mothers, to high-growth jobs
Mamo Pracuj is a social enterprise committed to diversifying the tech workforce in Poland with women’s talent. It provides technical training and wraparound services to ensure that women are equipped to stand out during the recruiting process and thrive in their roles long after hiring. In October 2021, Mamo Pracuj created Talenti.pl – an online platform to provide recruitment services to women who receive mentoring, coaching, and job counseling from the enterprise.
Trains marginalized individuals to launch careers in IT
Nebucode is a Poland-based software development company that creates innovative digital solutions for SMEs and corporations, in addition to prioritizing the creation of job opportunities in the IT sector for marginalized groups. With support from the Refugee Employment Initiative, Nebucode is launching NebuLab:Starters – a training platform that teaches digital skills and development, with an emphasis on placing graduates from marginalized backgrounds, above all refugees, migrants and at-risk youth, into digital jobs.
Helps refugee women find jobs in the HoReCa sector
The Olsztyn Food Bank (“OFB”) is a non-profit entity based in Poland with a mission to save food from waste. After acquiring food from excess reserves, OFB donates it to social organizations that provide resources for excluded communities. It also runs educational workshops on zero-waste cooking and provides placement and training for marginalized groups. After the war broke out in Ukraine, OFB has focused its efforts on supporting refugee women to find jobs, offering professional culinary training, childcare during classes, psychological support, and language courses.
Connects marginalized individuals, including refugees and migrants, to the tech industry
Tango builds digital products with meaningful, global impact for scaling startups and corporations, specifically targeting B2B and B2B2C software and marketplaces. Beyond its core business, Tango is on a mission to break down barriers and promote diversity in the tech industry in Poland. Tango connects groups that often face discrimination when seeking employment – including refugees, women, people with disabilities, and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community – with high-growth jobs in the tech sector.
Romania 🇷🇴
Offers migrants and refugees language courses and skill training
Box Elyte is a small and medium-sized enterprise that provides dignified jobs and vocational training to marginalized groups at its production plant in Fibis, Romania, where it manufactures premium, eco-friendly cardboard boxes for chocolates and pastries. It currently employs 150 individuals from excluded groups, including migrants and refugees from Ukraine and Asia, as well as local women from low-income backgrounds and ethnic minorities.
Supports refugees, migrants, and people with disabilities through ethical recruitment practices
Playful Software is a Romania-based digital solutions agency working to create a more inclusive and equitable recruitment journey to support youth, migrants, and refugees to find quality jobs. As part of the Refugee Employment Initiative, Playful Software is developing HopeWorks – a digital recruitment platform that helps people with disabilities, refugees and migrants, women, and NEETs access dignified job opportunities and training.
Provides tailored career training to people with disabilities and ethnic minorities
UtilDeco is one of the largest work integration enterprises in Romania. To support its mission, the social enterprise runs a high-impact insertion program for marginalized groups – including people with disabilities and migrants – with personalized career guidance and on-the-job training across its diverse business lines, which include archiving, production of textile protection equipment, coffee roasting, and digital printing.
“We are inspired by the missions of the first cohort of enterprises in the REI. Alongside NESsT and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, we are thrilled to support these enterprises to grow, helping more displaced people regain stability and economic security.”
“Together, we are exploring our expectations for the future and how we can best support refugees amidst uncertainty and instability.
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