Local Solidarity Workshop – Oberwart, Austria | October 25, 2025
On October 25, 2025, the Local Solidarity Workshop “The Power of Skills” took place in Oberwart, Austria, within the framework of the European PRO-MOTE project (Promoting Migrant Opportunities, Training and Employment), co-funded by the CERV Programme of the European Union.
The event, organised by the Roma Volkshochschule Burgenland (Roma VHS), brought together 36 participants from 12 different countries, including people with migration and transnational backgrounds, for a six-hour, hands-on training programme aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial and employability skills among newcomers in Austria.
A Practical Workshop for Real Opportunities
The workshop was designed to provide practical guidance for starting and managing a business, while also addressing broader issues of employment, qualification recognition, and access to training.
Following the goals of Work Package 4 (WP4) of the PRO-MOTE project, the event aimed not only to empower migrants and refugees through entrepreneurship, but also to pilot a structured programme model that could inform future policy improvements in Austria and beyond.
Participants explored the opportunities and challenges of entrepreneurship, learning about the legal framework, support systems, and local resources available for those wishing to start their own business.
Learning Through Dialogue and Experience
The workshop’s participatory approach combined expert inputs, sociometric constellation exercises, small-group work, and one-to-one consultations, ensuring that every participant could engage actively and share their own experiences.
Migrant and refugee entrepreneurs took part as guest speakers, offering valuable insights into their personal journeys — from overcoming barriers to navigating the Austrian system. Their contributions sparked rich exchanges with local experts and representatives from employment services, business support organisations, and integration structures.
Sessions focused on:
- Recognising and articulating transferable and transversal skills for the Austrian labour market;
- Understanding first steps into entrepreneurship and self-employment;
- Navigating key systems such as job services, qualification recognition, mentoring, and funding schemes;
- Exploring social entrepreneurship and the use of tools like the Business Model Canvas.
To ensure accessibility and inclusion, language support was provided in German, English, Arabic, Hungarian, Russian, and Romanes, allowing participants to fully engage and express themselves.
Building Confidence and Connections
The workshop’s impact was immediate and tangible. Participants reported greater awareness of their rights and opportunities, increased confidence in their existing competences, and a better understanding of next steps for employment or business creation.
Moreover, new connections were established between participants, mentors, and local service providers, strengthening local solidarity networks and community integration.
Next Steps
The Roma VHS team announced that the initiative will continue through follow-up mentoring and training sessions in 2026, ensuring ongoing support for participants as they move forward on their professional and entrepreneurial paths.This continuity highlights the commitment of the Roma Volkshochschule Burgenland and the PRO-MOTE consortium to building sustainable pathways for empowerment, employability, and inclusion — both locally and across Europe.