European Enterprise Network
Business Support for Disadvantaged Target Groups

Types of start-up support

All partners agreed that disadvantaged people seeking to start their own business require assistance tailored to their special circumstances. This implies a systematic analysis of the needs of potential entrepreneurs at the different stages of business planning. As a prerequisite for providing tailored support and for comparing different methods, partners of the European Enterprise Network agreed a common framework for business start-up support. Each section outlines a key stage in the business start-up process and good practice from selected partners of the European Enterprise Network.

• Recruitment and awareness raising:
  stimulating entrepreneurial spirit and providing good access to information on business start-ups.
• Profiling:
  identifying the strengths and weaknesses of potential entrepreneurs and formulating their individual requirements.
• Business planning:
  developing entrepreneurial skills and drawing up the business plan.
• Start-up:
  working with the entrepreneurs on improving and implementing the business plan as well as the legal aspects of a business start-up.
• Post start-up support:
  improving the stability and the viability (particularly financial) of the business.

European Enterprise Network is a transnational partnership of various European organisations, who work together to develop approaches and instruments to foster self-employment and entrepreneurship among disadvantaged target groups.

The partnership is supported through the European Union's EQUAL program.