One Africa Network Project

一个非洲网络项目

• 批准号: 59405
• 金额: $ 9.44万
• 依托单位: SSCG CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Feasibility Studies
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2020 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=59405
• 关键词: Africa; Network; Project

Ethnic minority entrepreneurs (EMEs) have traditionally been associated with lower growth industry sectors (Jones and Ram, 2007; Carter _et al._, 2015; Ram _et al._, 2016, p. 6). This challenge has not been helped by slow growth and high early-failure of minorities' start-ups and small businesses - relative that of other ethnicities, a disconnected entrepreneurial ecosystem, business and management skills' shortages and poor access to information and resources.Bogged down by ethnic stratification and geographical challenges, ethnic minority entrepreneurs, and African businesses in particular, have often been at the tail end of government initiatives and support (Boyd, 2018), including that they are typically delivered through Quangos such as the various regional chambers of commerce.One Africa Network (OAN) is an initiative of SSCG Consulting, the leading network for Black and African entrepreneurs, investors, businesses, leaders and professionals in the Midlands, established in 2018 with a vision to inspire, support and catapult African businesses into higher growth and more rewarding industry sectors. As the voice of Black African Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurs and professional in the midlands, OAN, through regular events and initiatives, has, since 2018, enhanced the potential, participation, competitiveness and productivity of hundreds of Black and African Minority professionals, entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Midlands.Prior to the Covid19 pandemic, our solutions to address the above needs were delivered through organising face to face inspirational and capacity development events that helped to connect members, facilitate debate on pressing business and economic issues amongst the Black and African communities, encouraged the sharing of knowledge, opportunities and collaboration across various business sectors and disciplines. This offered several benefits to our members, including learning and sharing new opportunities, building new networks for collaboration, entrepreneurial & management skills. However, since the Covid19 pandemic, and subsequent Government lockdown, it has not been possible to host these face-to-face activities, using previous methods - yet the needs for our members have, if anything, been exacerbated by the pandemic.In order to reach and deliver service to our members remotely, we have had to be innovative and transformative in our approach and operating model, taking advantage of digital technologies and moving all our activities online. This project will help us to maintain contact with, and support for our members. Additional funding will allow OAN programme to increase project duration and innovate its operating model to give additional deliverables, impact to members and provide support to wide BAME businesses and professionals affected by COVID-19 across the UK by helping them to transform skills and businesses, gain new knowledge, build networks and resilience to navigate current challenging economic environment, launch new businesses and products to markets.

少数民族企业家传统上与低增长行业部门有关（Jones和Ram，2007年; Carter等人，2015年; Ram等人，2016年，第6页）。少数族裔的初创企业和小企业相对于其他族裔而言增长缓慢、早期失败率高、创业生态系统脱节、商业和管理技能短缺以及难以获得信息和资源，这些都无助于应对这一挑战。少数族裔企业家，特别是非洲企业，往往处于政府倡议和支持的末端，（博伊德，2018年），包括他们通常是通过半官方组织，如各地区商会提供。一个非洲网络（OAN）是SSCG咨询公司的一项倡议，该公司是黑人和非洲企业家，投资者，企业，该组织成立于2018年，旨在激励、支持和推动非洲企业进入更高增长和更有回报的行业。作为中部地区黑人和非洲少数民族企业家和专业人士的代言人，OAN自2018年以来通过定期活动和倡议，提高了中部地区数百名黑人和非洲少数民族专业人士、企业家和小企业的潜力、参与度、竞争力和生产力。我们通过组织面对面的鼓舞人心和能力发展活动来解决上述需求，这些活动有助于联系成员，促进黑人和非洲社区之间就紧迫的商业和经济问题进行辩论，鼓励各业务部门和学科之间分享知识、机会和合作。这为我们的成员提供了几个好处，包括学习和分享新的机会，建立新的合作网络，创业和管理技能。然而，自2019冠状病毒病大流行及随后的政府封锁以来，我们无法使用以前的方法举办这些面对面的活动，但我们的会员的需求却因大流行而加剧。为了远程接触并向我们的会员提供服务，我们必须在方法和运营模式上进行创新和变革，利用数字技术并将我们所有的活动都转移到网上。这个项目将帮助我们保持联系，并支持我们的成员。额外的资金将使OAN计划能够延长项目期限并创新其运营模式，以提供额外的交付成果，对会员产生影响，并为英国各地受COVID-19影响的广泛BAME企业和专业人士提供支持，帮助他们转变技能和业务，获得新知识，建立网络和适应能力，以应对当前充满挑战的经济环境，向市场推出新业务和产品。