enterability, Germany
GENERIC
enterability has provided tailored start-up consulting for people with severe disabilities who wish to start a business or who are already self-employed, as general entrepreneurship training programmes are often not adequately able to assist these entrepreneurs. The programme has been offered by the Berlin Integration Office (Integrationsfachdienst) since 2013, having been established by Social Impact gGmbH in 2004.
The main goal of enterability is to empower people with severe disabilities to pursue entrepreneurship and self-employment. The programme ensures that its services are accessible to all clients and accounts for the large variety of disabilities. This includes, for example, the choice of location and physical setting, the use of sign language interpreters, the incorporation of digital tools and the ability to offer home visits. In 2019, 33% of the supported clients had cancer or autoimmune disorders, 18% were affected by mental health impairment, 15% by brain injuries and neurological problems, 14% by vision disability, 12% had a physical disability and 8% were deaf or hard of hearing.
enterability uses an integrated approach, combining classical start-up advice with expertise in disability-related matters. A key element of the programme is discussing and analysing the clients' disabilities and their consequences on working life. Additionally, enterability uses an individualised approach to entrepreneurship training. Highly qualified personnel offer tailored support, adapting delivery methods and content to each individual’s situation and needs. The entrepreneurship training covers a range of subjects, including assistance in developing sustainable business models, information and consulting with regard to financing, formal processes and social security, coaching regarding health prevention, advice on public support measures for people with disabilities and hands-on assistance with paperwork. This tailored training is complemented by seminars on general entrepreneurship topics, such as marketing, accounting, legal and fiscal matters. enterability also facilitates peer-to-peer networking and organises different groups and events, allowing participants to exchange experiences, discuss relevant topics and identify potential partners.
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, enterability adapted its entrepreneurship training programme to ensure the continued protection and support of its clients. The delivery of the support services (e.g. real time trainings, one-to-one support, group events) were amended to online formats. While this adaption allowed participants to continue accessing entrepreneurship training and support during the COVID-19 pandemic, it also created new challenges. For example, the online format did not allow for as much customisation of support compared to the in-person format. There were also technical difficulties, gaps in digital skills and disability-related difficulties, which changed the overall entrepreneurship training experience. Moreover, the shift online also highlighted the importance of personal contact for participants. Overall, the online format offers a useful additional delivery method to offline formats, leading enterability to ensure that all participants can access the support that best works for their situation.
From February 2004 to the end of 2021, enterability supported more than 1 700 people with severe disabilities who wanted to start their own business. More than 500 participants entered full-time self-employment in Berlin with an additional 500 participants engaged in self-employment as a part-time activity. In 2015, the scheme received the European Enterprise Promotion Award in the category "Inclusive und Responsible Entrepreneurship" from the European Commission. Due to the success of the programme, the enterability model has been replicated in other regions (e.g. Saxony-Anhalt).
Integrationsfachdienst. (2022). enterability Germany.