PROJECT-SUPPORT SWITZERLAND

Association Crescenda, Basel, Switzerland

Country / Place

Switzerland, Canton Basel-City, Basel

The half-canton of Basel-City borders the canton of Basel-Landschaft (Basel-Country) to the south, Germany to the north and France to the north-west. The city canton is the smallest in area and at the same time the most densely populated Swiss canton and consists of the city of Basel and the political municipalities of Riehen and Bettingen.

General

Crescenda is the first Swiss start-up centre for micro-enterprises run by women with a migrant background. Since 2004, the non-profit institution accompanies them on their way to sustainable social and economic integration. For this purpose, Crescenda offers annual course and training programmes. Thanks to the ongoing development of the courses offered, these no longer included only the establishment of small businesses, but also vocational training in the areas of gastronomy/household management/care, as well as a programme for the establishment of collective enterprises (cooperatives).

Crescenda works by approaching the potential of course participants and specifically promotes their empowerment and self-efficacy. After completing the course, the graduates continue to be accompanied by the Crescenda-team.

Beneficiaries

The Crescenda Foundation Centre is aimed at women with a migrant background who reside in Switzerland, have a residency permit, have a basic knowledge of written and spoken German, and want to develop professionally and personally.

Villa and Bistrot Crescenda

Crescenda welcomes all people and offers a platform for exchange between different cultures and ways of life. In their in-house bistro and learning-center, located in central Basel, Crescenda spoils their guests with culinary specialities from all over the world. Companies and private individuals can rent the stylish rooms of the Villa Crescenda for all kinds of events or use the bistro's catering service for their external events.

Since the Bistrot staff are former or current participants of the Crescenda course programme, a place of living integration is created. As a social enterprise, Crescenda generates income with the bistro and by renting out space, which flows into the financing and further development of the course programme.

Project-support

Project Fit4Care
The project is an extension of the vocational training for entry into home economics, care and nursing, which teaches basic key skills for the care sector. The course participants gain practical experience in the partner enterprises. The women receive job application coaching and targeted efforts are made to place them in the labour market. The project runs for three years with the aim that 70% of the participants find a job or other follow-up solution two years after the start of the course.