A Melbourne based social enterprise that helps refugees start their own business has been awarded a $250,000 grant.
Thrive provides financing and business support to refugees wanting to start their own business.
Mahir Momand is driven by his own refugee past that has seen him flee his home country of Afghanistan three times.
The first time was when his family was forced to flee to Pakistan following the Soviet Union’s invasion. In 2001, they returned to Afghanistan.
The second time was in 2008 when he was targeted by the Taliban.
The Afghan refugee is still striving to make people self-sustainable.
“Making people self-sustainable and economically active leads to financial independence, which helps people come off the welfare systems,” he says.
Since its inception, Thrive has helped 512 refugees start their own business in Australia, securing 120 permanent jobs.
By the end of June this year, Thrive had issued over 100 loans across a range of sectors.
65% of those are in NSW, and 35% in Victoria.
