Success stories

In Lithuania there are various governmental and non-governmental organizations that facilitate the integration of foreigners into Lithuanian society. Training centers for migrants and various projects that facilitate easier adaptation in new conditions are being implemented. With their help, migrants are provided legal advice, job counseling, various cultural events and other activities.

While living in Lithuania, foreign citizens unite in communities, which help them to keep in touch with the traditions of their country and other fellow countrymen residing in Lithuania. Some official communities are united in associations.

Several organisations (Caritas Day Center "House of Cultures",The Center for SocialEducational Initiatives "Plus", Information Center for Migrants in Klaipėda, Kaunas Refugee and Migrant Center In LT aims to create a hospitable environment for refugees, migrants and third country nationals, organizes cultural events, offers Lithuanian language courses, provides legal advice and facilitates the integration of foreigners into Lithuanian society. Foreigners are also invited to take part in different activities: events, trainings, camps, various initiatives. The complex of these services enables third-country nationals to feel more free, to participate more actively in the life of the host country, to get to know the city life, community, culture, traditions, engage in various activities, find a job, etc. All this has a positive impact on the adaptation and integration of third-country nationals in Lithuania.

There are also many informal communities: - Foreigners in Vilnius. This Facebook group amasses all foreigners in Vilnius seeking to find common minds among the many expatriates in Lithuania’s largest city. - LT Buddies - connects newcomers with locals based on shared interests. LT buddies is a group of people and organisations united by the goal of making our cities friendlier towards newcomers.

Which competencies adult educators and national programs developing of migrants?

Mostly implemented are two main programes directions: language and vocational training courses. One can get initial knowledge29 . of the Lithuanian language while learning on the Internet, for example, on the websites loescen.com, surfacelanguages.com or flyent.online.

29 https://www.renkuosilietuva.lt/en/lithuanian-language-classes/

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Successful stories of immigrants establishing their own enterprise in Greece.

Within this activity, Innovation Hive has carried out two interviews in immigrants that have

established their own business in the city of Larissa and Thessaloniki in Greece. Mr. Laurenc

and Mr. Talal shared with us their points of view regarding the obstacles they faced starting

their own business, what are the necessary competencies that an immigrant should have and

what personally motivated to start their own enterprise.

Both of the individuals interviewed, were informed about the project’s objectives and activities and they signed a consent form, confirming that they agree that their personal data and photo/video of the interview will be disseminated and published for the project’s scope. We personally thank them for their time and contribution.

1. Name, surname: Laurenc Sula

2. Your migration short story:

“First of all I am really happy to contribute in your project. My story is big but I will try to give you a summary. I am

44 years old and I come from Albania. I live in Greece

almost 25 years. There was a period from 1991to 1995

that I have been coming to Greece periodically for

working, I was collecting money and then I was going

back to my family that was in need. People in Albania that period were poor, believe me! I did

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content whic h reflects the views only of the authors, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the inform ation contained therein.

not know any Greek word when I first started working in Greece. I was going from place to place asking for job using just two words. “Kalimera” (Good Morning), “1 hiliariko” (one thousand drachmas for his payslip). (Laughing)

Depending on the period, I was occupied mostly in agricultural sector. After finishing with my

military obligation in 1995, I met a Greek person, and he helped come to Greece and

particularly in Larissa. I have already learned how to speak Greek and it was easier for me to

migrate. My initial plans were to move to the island Andros that I have visited before, when I

was working for constructions.

3. How you have started your business and what is the kind of business is it?

“I was thinking about the business for many years. I have opened it almost a year ago, but it was on my mind as a plan for a long time. I was an employee for almost 20 years before

opening this local mini market in this neighborhood in Larissa.”

4. Why you decided to start working in this business sector?

“Life led me in this sector as I was working for many years as a distributor in markets, delivering products in many enterprises. I had big clients in many regions. Then I started

comprehending how things work, I was noticing the prices and the whole procedure needed

and this is how I gained experience and confidence to start this business on my own.”

5. What were your first steps to start business? Who helped you? How you came into idea to start to work on your own?

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“I do not think that someone helped me to start my business. My

knowledge in this sector after so

many years of experience led me to

that decision. I started asking many

people around me for information

and I was trying to plan every step

cautiously regarding the budget needed and the pricing. For almost 18 years, I was visiting for

distribution a network of 40 different shops and markets. Trust me, I have spent endless

nights thinking about every detail and any incident or need that will might occur. I have a

family and two kids that I have to support with my income. The rent, the gas, even the phone

bill was calculated.”

6. Who encourage you to start?

“I would say that those who encouraged me were the people that I have collaborated. They have suggested many times, that since I am good on what I do, hardworking and consistent,

I should try my luck as self-employed to increase my income and the quality of my life. They

gave me their opinion but the decision was mine.”

7. Did you learn how to start business or did you develop entrepreneurial skills. Would you be interested in receiving training regarding that?

“I had never had a particular education on starting a business or acquiring entrepreneurial

skills so far. I never had the chance or the financial capacity to do so. Truth is that I would be

glad to learn new things that can help me monitor my business in an efficient way and evolve

it in the future.”

8. What kind of issues did you face to start own business in the country of residence?

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“Regarding the procedure to start my business, I did not face any significant challenges. There has been an improvement in the bureaucracy the last years, to be honest. I received advice

from an accountant, and he handled the whole procedure, the documents and verifications

requested. The set-up and the opening of the business was very hard in the beginning. Apart

from the workload you have to face there is always stress about the future of your business.

That was the reason, I did not open my business earlier and I kind of regret about it. Do you

know why I did not open it? I was afraid. Not of the work or the extra hours but for the way

that people in the region are going to see me. It is sad to say this and I do not want to

generalize it, but it is true and I still observe it, even from what I hear from my kids, that there is still discrimination in Greece. I was afraid that people would say, “I am not going to buy milk

from the Albanian!” That kept my behind and was quite stressful for me, even in the beginning. Luckily, I did not face any racist incident since I opened my mini market here.

Maybe there are some people in the area thinking like that but who cares! I have my customers, who respect me and I respect them!”

9. In your opinion what kind of skills, competencies is needed to start own business?

“The first think is that anyone who wants to start a business should consider what he wants to work with. To have an

orientation on his mind and to focus on this to gain the

maximum expertize. After gaining enough experience, you feel

confident to start. The skill that I consider valuable are the

communicational skills. You have to be open, talk and show

interest about people. They need to know you and feel that

they can trust you, in any job. After this, I would mention the professionalism and consistency.

Your clients must trust you any time and never feel that you will “sell” them or take advantage of them. Last but not least, they should always be aware for the taxation and the financial

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content whic h reflects the views only of the authors, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the inform ation contained therein.

obligations they will have because this is a big issue and obstacle of the entrepreneurship in Greece.”

10. What could you suggest for migrant who would like to start own business?

“You need boldness! That is my first advice. Me myself, I should have opened this mini market a long time ago and I did not. Work hard and be sure that you have enough knowledge on

what you want to start with. If I were not working in this sector, I would never had opened a

mini market. Then, migrants should keep their eyes and ears open. Collect every information

they can get and try to integrate in the host country. Integration is so important if you want

to be self-employed or start your business as an immigrant. How can you sell anything in a

cultural environment that you have not accepted and been integrated into? Thanks for giving

me the opportunity to share my thoughts and experience! I just hope you will help immigrants to have a bright future!”

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content whic h reflects the views only of the authors, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the inform ation contained therein.

1. Name, surname: Talal Joudouh

2. Your migration short story:

“Well, I have been in Greece the last 9 years. I am 29 years old now and I come from Syria. As

you know, Syrians experienced so much cruelty with the war and many left the country to seek

for a better future not only for them but also for their children. To be honest, when I was in

Syria during the war, I did not intend to leave my country. My parents pushed and convinced

me to go, caring for my future. When I first came to Greece, I immediately contacted a friend

and he helped me find my first job. Compared to others, I had a big advantage. I knew English

and I had expertize from University as Computer and Network Technician. Finding a job was

not that hard for me as I applied in an NGO for a vacancy of Interpreter. I worked in 4 NGOs in

8 years, in Athens, Chios and Larissa and I ended up Thessaloniki.”

3. How you have started your business and what is the kind of business is it?

“In Thessaloniki, I created a

big network and most of my

friends moved there. Syrian

community in Thessaloniki

was getting bigger and bigger

and I have met a lot of people.

Luckily, local society in

Thessaloniki is open and

welcome to foreigners and we loved Thessaloniki and its people. Two friends of mine came up

with an idea of opening a business together. A bar that would be established close to our style

and aesthetics. An Anatolian approach that we could not find in Thessaloniki and we believed

that it would attract not only people from our country but other nationalities as well.

Excitement and our belief in the market gap motivated us and we found a small place in the

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center of the city. We worked hard, investing money, time and effort and after 4 months we opened our bar: Mossaic.”

4. Why you decided to start working in this business sector?

“Working in NGOs and camps was really helpful for me especially regarding my income. Vital I

would say. I was passionate to be on the field and really blessed that I had all this experience

and the chance to save enough money for my next step. I decided to be a member of the

partnership of this initiative because it just felt easy for me. As a person, I am extroverted and

socializing comes natural as well. Opening this bar was a way for me to be around people, to create something of my own, to do something new and challenging with my friends.”

5. What were your first steps to start business? Who helped you? How you came into idea to start to work on your own?

“This part was the

hardest! We were

collecting information

regarding the

procedure needed from

everyone we knew. The

steps about the

bureaucracy, the rents,

the equipment needed. We were lucky to have some friends that were already occupied in this

sector and they helped us so much. Especially with the pricing and the suppliers. I have to

thank them so much! As for the need to work on my own, I would say that I had it on my mind

but I would never believe that it could happen in a foreign country. Maybe the fact that

opening a business was like a dream to me motivated me so much to go for it.”

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content whic h reflects the views only of the authors, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the inform ation contained therein.

6. Who encourage you to start?

“To be honest, my partners were really encouraging in the beginning. Apart from them, I was

always receiving encouraging messages from people around me regarding the type of the

business that I had to open. The thought that this bar is something that would be successful

was growing day by day. The investment risk was not that high, as we were 3 partners in this

and we were saying from the beginning that this is something that we have to do for ourselves.

We would dare that move even if it wouldn’t be that profitable.”

7. Did you learn how to start business or did you develop entrepreneurial skills. Would you be interested in receiving training regarding that?

“Reviewing my background, you understand that I did not have any training on this field. I

would say that I developed my entrepreneurial skills, if any, by being cautious and noticing

every detail. In addition, mostly by asking many questions. My previous experience in NGOs

helped me develop some organizational skills and competences regarding the time and conflict

management. I do believe that out from every job position, any position you are, you can gain

valuable experience if you are smart and consistent. I would be interested in receiving training!

Definitely! I do experience some difficulties with the financial management and the marketing. Being improved in those sectors would definitely help me improve my business.”

8. What kind of issues did you face to start your own business in the country of residence?

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“We were completely unaware

regarding the exhausting taxes

that we had to pay!

Entrepreneurship in Greece is

like having the state as a

partner! We had already a plan

regarding the budget on our

mind, which we adjusted after consulting an accountant. Another issue was the public services.

Not only they were not servicing us on time but they were also behaving us in suspicious and

discriminative way occasionally. I don’t want to generalize that feeling. Please do not misunderstand my sayings. There were times that I have listened from some natives

commenting, “What are those Syrians are up to?””

9. In your opinion what kind of skills, competencies is needed to start own business?

“I will tell you what I think that my competencies are and I have opened my own business. I

am observing everything and keep my eyes open on every detail. Following that, my curiosity

leads me. Getting more information, asking questions, meeting more people, interacting!

Communicational and organizational skills are in my point of view the most important along

with the commitment to the hard work. When you will start your own business, you should know in advance that you have to dedicate endless personal time and effort!”

10. What could you suggest for migrant who would like to start own business?

“To be honest, many friends, migrants, asked for advice after I have opened my business.

There are three suggestions from my side. Gather Information, Plan, Be careful!

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content whic h reflects the views only of the authors, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the inform ation contained therein.