Problem addressed

Whilst developing their own business may be a dream for many, not everyone has the tools and know-how available to start a successful enterprise – even if the business idea is a good one. There are various reasons for this, ranging from insufficient financial resources, a lack of specific skills and business knowledge, or an absence of professional and social networks. These challenges are often more pronounced for more vulnerable groups, such as people with a background of unemployment or migration, or young people with limited professional experience.

Innovative solution

JobYourself, a Belgian organisation, supports people who have a business idea but face entry barriers to starting their entrepreneurial project. JobYourself and its cooperatives (JobYourself Coop and JobYourself Baticrea) provide an ‘incubator’ for entrepreneurs who want to start an independent business. The project facilitates contact among beneficiaries, who are linked in a network where they can freely exchange ideas and best practices, inspire one another, and get inspired. The JobYourself team assists future entrepreneurs with advice, coaching, and administrative support, tailoring their assistance to each beneficiary.

The initiative helps future entrepreneurs through two main kinds of support. First, 15 staff members, who serve as ‘coaches’, guide the entrepreneurs through the different steps involved in setting up a business, from the conceptualisation stage to the testing of a business idea. During the testing period, beneficiaries can sell their products for a maximum of 18 months using the cooperative legal entity. This is a significant help, as it means that they do not have to go through heavy administrative processes to register as independent entrepreneurs. The testing period enables potential entrepreneurs to assess whether their product could be successful and profitable in the real world. The second kind of support provided by JobYourself is technical know-how specifically related to the industry of the product.

The main beneficiaries of the project are entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business, but do not have the means to do so. Potential entrepreneurs must live in the Brussels-Capital Region or wish to undertake their future activities in this region. They must demonstrate reasonable skills related to their projects, with the objective to manage their project independently once their experience with JobYourself terminates.

Key results and benefits

Since 2010, JobYourself has achieved significant results. 400 new enterprises have been created in the region, and 207 people have found work. 250 entrepreneurs are currently testing their ideas, while 300 entrepreneurs are preparing their projects and being coached.

According to JobYourself project representatives, the project enhances employability and is therefore still a good experience for those who do not end up creating their own business afterwards. ‘Our system is based on accompaniment and coaching, through workshops, exchange of ideas and services,’ says Nathalie Jeudy, responsible for partnership at JobYourself. ‘There is a whole community of people, a collective system, with all kinds of partners to learn from.’

Potential for mainstreaming

JobYourself was funded by the European Social Fund through the ACTIRIS public employment services during 2011–2014, and by the European Regional Development Fund during 2014–2021. Thanks to this funding, JobYourself was able to further develop and expand its incubator. JobYourself would like to expand further, including beyond the Belgian borders. At present, however, it exclusively operates at the regional level in Belgium. Sufficient funding to cover high organisational costs and human resource costs would be a key condition of any such expansion plan, within Belgium and beyond.

JobYourself was awarded the Social Economy Prize in Belgium.