The PLOUTOS Project, dedicated to fostering the social and economic integration of Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), has successfully concluded its mission with a final event held on December 6 in Brussels. Under the theme "Building Communities Together," the event celebrated the project's achievements and brought together stakeholders to reflect on the initiative's profound impact on TCNs and local communities.
Since its inception, the PLOUTOS Project has delivered meaningful results, empowering TCNs to overcome barriers to integration and enhancing local communities through economic collaboration. The key outcomes include:
· An Innovative Learning Platform: The PLOUTOS Practice Business Virtual Environment has provided a unique platform for hands-on learning and business development.
· Comprehensive Training: Over 250 TCNs have been trained in essential skills such as financial literacy and business language, while an additional 40 TCNs received training in community interpreting.
· Curriculum Development: The project developed extensive curricula, including a Business Language Curriculum featuring 24 modules and a Financial Literacy Curriculum comprising 12 modules.
· Business Acceleration Program: More than 30 TCNs completed the Business Acceleration Program, which included practical simulations designed to enhance their entrepreneurial skills.
The tools and programs developed by PLOUTOS addressed linguistic, financial, and cultural challenges, empowering participants with skills essential for economic independence and social inclusion. Beyond numbers, the project fostered meaningful community engagement and inspired innovation, collaboration, and resilience among its beneficiaries.
The Final Event in Brussels gathered support organizations and experts to showcase the project's impact and discuss strategies for continued TCN integration. During the first panel, lead project partners from work packages 1 through 6 presented their results. In the second panel, Anna Zurek from the European Investment Bank (EIB) outlined European-level instruments and programs aimed at promoting TCN integration. She emphasized the critical role of providing TCNs with tailored Business Development Support (BDS), including mentoring, coaching, and specialized training initiatives.
A highlight was the "Third-Country Nationals Entrepreneurs – Opportunities and Challenges" panel, where entrepreneurs like Sally Ghannoum and Yolanda Bilé shared their success stories and lessons learned. Notable speakers included representatives from organizations dedicated to supporting TCNs, such as BAPA Bxl, Shedidit, Microstart, Singa, and European Network for Migrant Women. The event concluded with a diploma ceremony recognizing participants' achievements.
QUOTES
Sally Ghannoum, TCN entrepreneur
We started in 2016 although most of my friend told me that it is very expensive. I opened my business. Then I closed it. I have restarted it through the help of Microstart.
Anita Zigah, TCN entrepreneur
I received coaching from Microstart (Business Acceleration Program). With their help I have improved my cost calculation, my business plan, my sales strategy. Microstart (Business Acceleration Program) helped me to also improved my "Why" - during the journey I tend to forget my why and the help of David from Microstart I manage to remind why I started my business
Christelle Sermon from BAPA BXL
Most of the challenge the public faces are the language barrier to satisfy the basic needs like a stable house, a job. The social support is personalized to each person due to the different profiles. We offer free language courses. Another challenge is recognising their diploma and experience. It is a complicate procedure in Belgium. It is difficult to have a job and access to market with these kinds of challenges.
Frohar Poya from European Network for Migrant Women
As a network we play a crucial role in shaping the social policy for migrant women. We offer legal, social, support, shelter for women that run from domestic violence
As the Ploutos Project concludes, its achievements will continue to resonate within the communities it served, paving the way for future initiatives aimed at supporting Third-Country Nationals.
PLOUTOS is implemented with the support of the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.