The challenges that need to be overcome for the successful and sustainable integration of refugee women or migrants can be Social Bee as an expert for sustainable integration into the German labor market and as a service provider for diversity:
"Refugee women are often prevented from finding a job independently by internal (i.e., lack of self-confidence, patriarchal family structures, low education) and external factors (i.e., the need for part-time work, prejudice between companies, structural barriers). While 89 percent of refugee women in Germany are seeking paid employment, only 13 percent were employed in 2019."
Self-confidence, competence and self-reflection
Some initiatives already provide support in specific areas, such as interview training or professional skills development. However, most participants fail to find employment afterward because their needs were not addressed holistically. Furthermore, they often lack business networks.
Social-Bee takes a holistic approach to helping refugee and migrant women realize their full potential. CEO Zarah Bruhn sees a great leverage effect in three components in particular:
"We want to build self-confidence, competence, and self-reflection. We want them to be educated about their rights and know their worth. This will enable these women to stand up for themselves and make confident decisions about their lives."
Through various programs, the Munich-based startup aims to train and strengthen these components in a scalable way. Furthermore, a strong social network increases visibility on the job market and boosts direct job opportunities. The ultimate goal: successful and long-term integration into the European labor market.
One of 34 selected projects
From nearly 8,000 applications from nonprofit organizations around the world, Social-Bee was selected as one of 34 projects. In addition to financial support, the Munich-based company will also participate in a four-month accelerator program led by the Google Accelerator and Women Techmakers communities, as well as Impact Challenge partner Vital Voices. Google.org partnered with a women-led expert panel and the gender-equitable organizations Vital Voices and Project Everyone to evaluate proposals based on four key criteria: innovation, impact, feasibility, and scalability. The selected nonprofit organizations outlined projects designed to help women and girls, particularly those in geographically, economically, or socially marginalized communities, realize their full economic potential.
Refugee women in particular often face hurdles such as language barriers or cultural differences, as well as patriarchal structures and prejudices. This further complicates access to the society of a new country of residence. To provide targeted support, Social-Bee has identified three groups that will receive individual support based on their educational and professional background. Women who have no or only basic school education and little or no professional experience are most disadvantaged. The successful integration of this particular target group requires specific professional expertise. Social-Bee has this expertise. with flagship projects in integration work over the past five years (up to 80% of all refugees with whom Social-Bee works are low-skilled).
