In a significant move towards fostering refugee entrepreneurship in the tourism sector, the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Khmelnytskyi National University (KHMNU) in Ukraine, alongside collaborative efforts with partners in Turkey, Croatia, and Belgium.
The joint initiative aims to identify both successful practices and obstacles, drawing insights from case studies applicable across EU countries grappling with the refugee crises stemming from the invasion of Ukraine.
Over a two-year period, the EU-funded project, named Inspire, intends to develop valuable resources to support refugee populations.
Such resources include the creation of a good practice user guide for refugee tourism entrepreneurs which will be supported by course materials, a website and mobile application.
The Inspire project also seeks to establish a searchable databank encompassing various supports for refugee tourism entrepreneurs, including educational and training aids, financial options, networking opportunities, and business support services.
TUS Inspire project leads Dr Anthony Johnston and Dr Noëlle O’Connor say this is about supporting refugees’ social integration and broadening access to higher education while also acknowledging the tangible economic value refugees add to their host country’s economy.
“Refugees are sometimes viewed as a strain on their host country’s economy, despite growing evidence proving their substantial economic contributions and a higher likelihood of job creation compared to other migrant groups or native-born citizens,” they explained.
“The Inspire project recognises this value and is specifically focused on offering support to refugee-led tourism entrepreneurship which has the capacity to add significantly to Ireland’s economy.”
Ireland’s hospitality and tourism industry contributes over €7 billion to the economy and stands to benefit from the Inspire project.
The sector, one of the country’s largest employers, offers regionally dispersed economic opportunities, potentially creating new tourism jobs across Ireland.
TUS President Prof. Vincent Cunnane welcomed the inaugural delegation of the Inspire project to TUS’s Athlone campus this week, where he reaffirmed TUS’s commitment to the welcome, inclusion and support of refugees.
“As a designated University of Sanctuary, we’ve nurtured a campus-wide atmosphere where everyone can feel safe and welcome, and pursue an education. The Inspire project extends our ongoing efforts, acknowledging the pressing crisis in Ukraine and proactively empowering refugees who find themselves displaced through no fault of their own,” Prof. Cunnane said.
“While hosting refugees may be perceived as a cost, it is, in reality, an investment — not only in enhancing the social fabric of our communities but also in recognising and benefiting from their potential substantial economic contributions,” he added.
The Inspire project, set to run from November 2023 to November 2025, receives funding from Erasmus Key Action 2.
The collaborative effort includes TUS (Ireland), Businet, KHMNU, and DVA (Ukraine), DEU (Turkey), PAR (Croatia), and PXL (Belgium).
The project’s next meeting is scheduled in Izmir, Turkey, May 2024.