FANS Project Wrap-Up! Helping Expats Gain Skills and Start Businesses

2025-03-03

After two years of teamwork and innovation, the FANS project (From Adaptation to New Skills and Self-employment) has successfully come to an end.

Running from March 1, 2023, to February 28, 2025, this EU co-funded initiative aimed to support migrants and expats by providing tailored services and opportunities to develop their businesses in our regions (Poznań City, Ostrawa, Leiria).

International Collaboration

Together with Moravskoslezské Inovační Centrum from the Czech Republic and Startup Leiria from Portugal, we started a journey of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. By exploring local ecosystems and exchanging best practices, we created several new services designed to support expats in building their own businesses.

To better understand each organization’s work and the specifics of their regions, we engaged in a series of online and onsite meetings. These sessions, including visits to Ostrava, Poznań, and Leiria, allowed us to explore local ecosystems, exchange insights, and build a strong foundation for collaboration.

Online experts support played an importnat role in designing new services, covering topics such as strengthening entrepreneurial capacity and mindset among expats, commercialization, and social incubation.

In the final phase of the project, each partner organization developed and tested a specialized service tailored to expats. In November 2024, Poznań Science and Technology Park hosted a three-day entrepreneurship workshop for migrants looking to start businesses in Poland. Conducted in Polish, the workshop covered key aspects of business model development using the Business Model Canvas, pitching techniques, and the legal requirements for running a business in Poland.

Participants engaged in both individual and group activities, refining their business ideas with expert support. The workshop not only provided practical knowledge but also created a supportive environment where attendees could develop their plans while improving their Polish language skills. Positive feedback emphasized its hands-on approach and welcoming atmosphere.

As the FANS project wraps up, we look forward to continuing these services and future collaborations. This initiative has shown the impact of international teamwork in supporting expats and driving innovation.

The FANS project was co-founded by the European Union, which made this transformative project possible.

Stay tuned for more updates on our journey!