The project aims to train a group of immigrant women in Nimes, France on the use of social network such as blogs, facebook and e-commerce sites (i.e Etsy.com). Exposing them to online social network as well as market opportunities online provides them an outlet to express themselves but also gives them an opportunity to use their skill and become economically autonomous, helping them regain confidence, find their voice again and use it.
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
Stories of migration, positive image of migrants and self-realization will be the content generated through the blogs that immigrants can draw inspiration from. Their creations and their culture will also be shared as they explore them to find economic opportunities online. Finally, in the long term, the links and networks among immigrant women across Europe will be created in order to exchange experiences, information and provide mutual support.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
I have initiated the discussion with the local associations assisting immigrant women in Nimes. I am also exploring how this project can be promoted and replicated in other countries in Europe in order to establish a network that will link up these women to each other in order to provide mutual support. I am doing this by initiating links with Europe-based networks of immigrant women such as: European Network of Migrant Women, AESCO (Spain), etc.
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
The initial project aims to train 40 women. These women can each train other 3-4 women after the training, reaching from 120-160 more and so on. The computer will be maintained by the local partner association where the women can easily access them. Beyond the project period, women will donate a minimal amount per use to cover electricity, internet, computer costs. The established e-commerce and cooperative will be a motivation to continue.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
Sharing and promoting the blogs as well as the e-commerces that will come out of the project to the Rising Voice network will contribute to the success of this project. This will call attention to the plight of migrant women but more importantly, will show that immigrants can become positive contributors to their host countries through entrepreneurship.
