On Monday, May 28th at 9:30pm, Sleeves Up Meet Up was held in the form of iftar, the meal that Muslims take at sunset during the month of Radaman. This time, the event was hosted by Mohammed Alcomali, who created Damas, a Syrian restaurant in the Gare area of Luxembourg. Following a jovial and sumptuous Ramadan feast, Mohammed shared the story of setting up his restaurant.

In addition, Uyi Nosa-Odia, a Sleeves Up participant, led an inspiring discussion on creative ways for harnessing the power of collaboration, drawing on experience with entrepreneurial projects in his home country of Nigeria.

For more information on the restaurant, please consult the following link: https://www.facebook.com/Damas-Restaurant-157965254810817/

On May 18th, 2018, Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigré (ASTI) re-invited Sleeves Up to give a presentation in Mersch on how to create a business in Luxembourg. Topics included how asylum seekers can work toward that goal even while waiting for residency, essential administrative steps required for opening a business, and diverse resources for helping budding entrepreneurs. The talk was conducted in English under the auspices of project “Connections”, an ASTI initiative which helps refugees enter the labor market. About thirty participants attended.

Ever wonder why some people get "lucky" by finding investors or good jobs, while others don't?

On Wednesday, April 18th, Sleeves Up attempted to answer this question in the context of its 5th "Sleeves Up Meet Up," a series of lunch discussions designed to aid and inspire budding entrepreneurs with their projects. This time, we partnered with 6zero1 and Compellio to discuss "networking," what it is, why it's important, and how to do it. Thirty people, including a mix of European and non-European residents, attended the event.

Wafa Abo Zarifa and Ayman Natouf, graduates of Sleeves Up Workshops, prepared a tasty Palestinian and Syrian lunch.

Due to the strong demand, our partner CLAE asbl kindly reinvited us to hold information sessions at their offices about how to become an entrepreneur in Luxembourg. The dates are set as follows:

05.04.2018 - 10.30 am to 12.30 am - in ARABIC04.04.2018 - 10.30 am to 12.30 am - in ENGLISH03.04.2018 - 10.30 am to 12.30 am - in FRENCH

12.01.2018 - 10.30 am to 12.30 am - in FRENCH15.01.2018 - 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm - in ENGLISH

CLAE is located at 26, rue de Gasperich L-1617 Luxembourg. The conversation will address how both asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection can begin preparing for eventually launching their own business, as well as information regarding the administrative steps involved. Please contact CLAE (29 86 86 1 if you wish to attend. Admission is free.

Microlux invited Sleeves Upers to its office for a detailed presentation on how to obtain a microloan. Attendees received tips on how to best prepare their projects and improve their chances of getting financed.

The fourth Sleeves Up Meet Up took place at the Géisserei in Luxembourg City with Ahmad Akkarie, a Lebanese resident, who created Arzé Market, a Middle Eastern grocery store in Hollerich. Ahmed discussed challenges faced and provided extensive advice about common mistakes that entrepreneurs should try to avoid when starting any new business.

Eighteen participants attended the event, which included a sumptuous meal prepared by Mohammed Arak, Salwah Arak, Shady al-Halabi, and Mahmoud Yasen Aljameel. Mohammed and Shady both participated in Sleeves Up workshops and intend to launch a HORECA business.

Our Sleeves Up Meet Ups are monthly meetings over food with active entrepreneurs to inspire and inform. Sharing & Connecting is essential to any starting a lasting business. So, if you'd like to be involved in future Meet Ups, please contact info@touchpoints.lu to learn more about how it works.

Nine participants (8 from Syria & 1 from Nigeria) successfully completed the third round of Sleeves Up Training Workshops for DPI & BPI at Nyuko, near Luxembourg Gare. They worked on a business project intended to eventually provide a means of self-employment in their new Luxembourgish homes.

TOPICS COVERED

Three-page business plan, budget, and start-up costsVAT, tax, and administrative proceduresBusiness pitch, marketing, and specialized language acquisition

The third Sleeves Up Meet Up took place at Sahara Shisha and Lounge Bar in Differdange, co-owned by Mustafa Al-Faraj and Ahmed Alkhafaji. With a third partner, they took over an existing business in the summer of 2017. They shared their experience about what went well and what they would do differently today.

Mustafa and Ahmed explained why they decided to take over a business instead of starting a new one, differences in terms of procedure, and difficulties and opportunities they encountered. There were sixteen participants in total, many of whom posed questions and actively participated in the discussion. A tasty lunch plate, filled with Sahara's top culinary choices, accompanied the event.

The opportunity was also taken to inform attendants about the imminent start of the first and this year's only Fit4Entrepreneurship session in English. Fit4Entrepreneurship is a training and coaching program offered by ADEM for unemployed persons who'd like to start their own businesses. The program represents a natural extension of Sleeves Up workshops, and five Sleeves Upers have chosen to sign up.

Our Sleeves Up Meet Ups are monthly meetings over food with active entrepreneurs to inspire and inform. Sharing & Connecting is essential to any starting a lasting business. So, if you'd like to be involved in future Meet Ups, please contact info@touchpoints.lu to learn more about how it works.

As of January 2018, we have a permanent base at the House of Entrepreneurship in Kirchberg! Every Tuesday afternoon, we welcome you without appointment at the dynamic one-stop shop of the Chamber of Commerce and instantly connect you with relevant administrations and partners. Of course, you can still contact us for appointments across the country to ask questions regarding your specific case or your business project.

Today, we held our second Sleeves Up Meet Up with Luxcars owner Hussein Eissa and Raneem & Mustafa Khaiat at the Géisserei in Luxembourg city. These monthly meetings over food with entrepreneurs are designed to inspire and inform.

Hussein Eissa shared his story about Luxcars, a used car sales and rental service he founded in 2016. As one of the first to launch a successful business after four years on RMG, the Iraqi business man provided useful tips about making the transition. You may contact Hussein at 691 221 400 to learn more about him and his services.

Eighteen people participated in the Meet Up, which included a delicious Syrian buffet kindly prepared by Raneem and her husband Mustafa Khaiat. Raneem participated in Sleeves Up workshops and plans to start a restaurant with her husband. They are looking for the right locale.

Sharing & Connecting is essential to any starting & lasting business! So, if you'd like to be involved in future Meet-Ups, please contact info@touchpoints.lu to learn more about how it works!

Photo credit: Dina Kim

The next round of our Sleeves Up Workshops for refugees and asylum seekers (BPI/DPI) is now open for registration!

The program> Preliminary Interview To help you find the best approach for your project, we will meet once before the start of the program.> Six Workshop Sessions – Starting on January 18th: The workshops start on Thursday, January 18th, 2018 at NYUKO, located at 121 rue de Hollerich, Luxembourg (approx. 10 min. walking distance from Luxembourg Gare) and will take place during 6 Thursday afternoons from 2pm to 5.30pm

Pre-register at info@touchpoints.lu

> Individualized Follow-up Hands-on assistance with launching your project.PARTICIPATION FEE

DPI: 25 €. Fully refunded if participant attends at least 5 out of 6 sessions.BPI: 50 €. Partially refunded (30 €) if participant attends at least 5 sessions.

First session is mandatory for continuation.

Topics covered • Three-page business plan, budget, and start-up costs • VAT, tax, and administrative procedures • Business pitch, marketing, and specialized language acquisition

• Other resources and next steps

Completion of Sleeves Up Workshops also gives you .

For more information and to register, contact jordan@touchpoints.lu or call 691 997 421

We were kindly invited to present an introduction on how to create a business in Luxembourg for the participants of ASTI's Connections program. It's always a pleasure to engage with such an energized audience.

Today, we held our first Sleeves Up Meet Up at Casa Fabiana in Luxembourg city. These monthly meetings over food with entrepreneurs are designed to inspire and inform.

Eighteen participants got firsthand insights from restaurant owner Fabiana who kindly shared details about challenges of starting and managing an organic restaurant. Aspiring, current and former entrepreneurs asked pointed questions and compared personal experiences.

We look forward to our next Sleeves Up Meet Up in December!

If you'd like to be involved in a future Meet-Ups, please contact jordan@touchpoints.lu to learn more about how it works!

Photo credit: Dorte Størup

Ten participants (9 from Syria & 1 from Irak) successfully completed the second round of Sleeves Up Training Workshops for DPI & BPI in Clervaux. They have worked on a business project intended to eventually provide a means of self-employment in their new Luxembourgish homes.

TOPICS COVERED

Three-page business plan, budget, and start-up costsVAT, tax, and administrative proceduresBusiness pitch, marketing, and specialized language acquisition

Ten people participated in the workshops in Clervaux, which were held in English.

>> Pour la traduction française, voir plus bas.

>> للغة العربية، انظر أدناه

After a successful session in January, we are happy and proud to announce that we have been reinvited by CLAE asbl and its project team of InSitu Jobs to hold additional infosessions on how to become an entrepreneur in Luxembourg on the following dates:

Tuesday, June 27th, 2017 at 11 AM: Held in FrenchThursday, June 29th, 2017 at 11 AM: Held in EnglishTuesday, July 4th, 2017 at 11 AM: Held in Arabic

CLAE is located at 26, rue de Gasperich L-1617 Luxembourg. The conversation will address how both asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection can begin preparing for eventually launching their own business, as well as information regarding the administrative steps involved. Admission is free.

Après une session réussite en janvier, nous sommes heureux et fiers d'annoncer que nous avons été réinvité par CLAE asbl et son équipe de projet d'InSitu Jobs pour organiser des interventions supplémentaires sur comment devenir entrepreneur à Luxembourg aux dates suivantes:

Le mardi 27 juin 2017 à 11h: En français Le jeudi 29 juin 2017 à 11h: En anglais

Le mardi 4 juillet 2017 à 11h: En arabe

CLAE est situé au 26, rue de Gasperich L-1617 Luxembourg. La conversation traitera de la façon dont les demandeurs d'asile et les bénéficiaires de protection internationale peuvent préparer le lancement de leur projet, ainsi que des informations concernant les étapes administratives impliquées. L'entrée est gratuite.

في إطار InSitu Jobs ,CLEA asbl و Touchpoints asbl سيعقدون محاضرات عن كيفية إنشاء مشروعات تجارية في لوكسمبورغ في التواريخ التالية:

- يوم الثلاثاء، 27 يونيو، 11h00، باللغة الفرنسية

- يوم الخميس، 29 يونيو، 11h00، باللغة الإنجليزية

- يوم الثلاثاء, 4 يوليو, 11h00, باللغة العربية

العنوان:

CLAE, 26 rue de Gasperich, Luxembourg

الحضورمجاني

Sur invitation de ACIL, Amitié Côte d'Ivoire Luxembourg asbl, nous sommes ravis de vous proposer une séance d'information sur 'Comment créer une entreprise au Luxembourg?' le 20 juin 2017 de 14.00 à 16.00 heures au bâtiment HARIKO à Luxembourg, Dernier Sol 1 (derrière la Gare). La séance se tiendra en langue française et traitera notamment:

des étapes préliminaires qui mènent à la création d'un projet entrepreneurial,des étapes administratives,ainsi que des facteurs de motivation.

L'entrée est gratuite!

للغة العربية، انظر أدناه

In partnership with Digital Inclusion, Sleeves Up will discuss how to create a business in Luxembourg on the following dates.

Digital Inclusion is located at 1 Dernier Sol, 2543 Luxembourg (in the basement of the building). The conversation will address how both asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection can prepare to eventually launch their own business. Admission is free.

دعوة

بالتعاون مع

Digital Inclusion

:ستعقد محاضرة عن كيفية إقامة مشروع تجاري في لكسمبرغ في التواريخ التالية

• الساعة الاثنين, يوم الاثنين, 12 يونيو, 2017: باللغة الإنجليزية

• الساعة الاثنين, يوم الاثنين, 19 يونيو, 2017: باللغة العربية

:العنوان

1 Dernier Sol, 2543 Luxembourg (الطابق السفلي)

ستعالج المحادثة كيف يمكن للاجئين البدء في الاستعداد لإطلاق المشروعات الخاصة. الحضور مجاني

On May 11, 2017, Caritas invited project Sleeves Up to Foyer Marienthal to speak about setting up a business in Luxembourg. Many of the participants once had restaurants, cafés or bakeries in the Middle East, and they wished to establish similar businesses in Luxembourg. The conversation - conducted in Arabic - focused on how to obtain a business permit for food-related commercial activities, as well as the importance of learning either French, Germany, Luxembourgish, or English for pursuing a commercial activity in Luxembourg.

>> Pour la traduction française, voir plus bas.>> للغة العربية، انظر أدناه >> برای فارسی، پایین را ببینید

In partnership with Hariko, Sleeves Up will hold infosessions on how to create a business in Luxembourg on the following dates.

Tuesday, May 16th, 2017 at 2PM - 4PM: Held in English/PersianTuesday, May 23rd, 2017 at 2PM - 4PM: Held in FrenchTuesday, May 30th, 2017 at 2PM - 4PM: Held in Arabic

Hariko is located at 1 Dernier Sol, 2543 Luxembourg. The conversation will address how both asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection can begin preparing for eventually launching their own business. Admission is free.