SEED Entrepreneurship Program
The Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development (SEED) Program is an initiative funded by the State of CA Employment Training Panel to fulfill two fundamental public policy goals: 1) serve vulnerable communities facing significant barriers to employment by providing them with entrepreneurial opportunities, and 2) promote entrepreneurship of individuals who may be precluded from obtaining gainful employment (due to either immigration status or limited English proficiency).
LISC San Diego and the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition (SDRCC) have received a $1Million grant to implement the SEED program in San Diego. The program components include entrepreneurship training, technical assistance, and micro-grants for refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs. 75% of the funding is allocated for micro-grants to participating entrepreneurs to support them in starting or maintaining a small business aimed at addressing a social problem or meeting a community need.
The San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition is facilitated by UCSD Center for Community Health- Refugee Health Unit (UCSD-RHU). LISC and UCSD-RHU have contracted Sandra Martinez, a consultant with expertise in delivering micro-enterprise training in immigrant communities. Sandra will support the development of a new 20-hour business development curriculum and “train the trainers” by preparing staff members from each of our eight partner Ethnic Community-Based Organizations (ECBOs) to be able to teach this curriculum to at least one cohort of 15-20 entrepreneurs from a specific refugee population in their preferred language. In order to be eligible for a micro-grant, entrepreneurs must complete at least 80% of the training, develop a business plan, and be actively working with a business coach.
Our partner ECBOs include: