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START-UP, MICROCREDIT AND SUSTEINABILITY

Vittorio Emanuele Agostinelli - Consulta giovanile del Pontificio Consiglio della Cultura

Abstract

Start-up, microcredito e sostenibilità

Durante la prima fase della pandemia, i governi europei hanno privilegiato la predisposizione e l’attuazione di politiche passive, per stabilizzare l’occupazione ed evitare la disoccupazione, riducendo l’attuazione di politiche attive del lavoro. Solo pochi paesi hanno tentato di mantenere tale prerogativa, francia e germania ad esempio hanno previsto finanziamenti alle imprese o ai lavoratori per incoraggiare la formazione durante il lavoro a orario ridotto, mentre in ungheria e nei paesi bassi la partecipazione alla formazione è stata considerata un requisito per ricevere sussidi per il lavoro a orario ridotto. Per altri paesi invece le attività di formazione hanno rappresentato una possibilità e non un obbligo.

Le analisi empiriche sono necessarie per comprendere l’impatto del microcredito sulla struttura dell’occupazione in diversi settori economici, soprattutto al fine di integrare le variabili per valutare quanto la politica del microcredito può influenzare il profilo della forza lavoro, generare pari opportunità lavorative, creare posti di lavoro per abilità e manodopera non qualificata e generare occupazione formale o informale.

Abstract

Start-up, microcredit and sustainability

During the first phase of the pandemic, european governments favored the preparation and implementation of passive policies, to stabilize employment and avoid unemployment, reducing the implementation of active labor policies. Only a few countries have attempted to maintain this prerogative, for example france and germany have provided funding for companies or workers to encourage training during part-time work, while in hungary and the netherlands participation in training was considered a requirement to receive subsidies for part-time work. For other countries, on the other hand, training activities represented a possibility and not an obligation. Empirical analyzes are needed to understand the impact of microcredit on the structure of employment in different economic sectors, especially in order to integrate the variables to assess whether microcredit policy can affect the labor force profile, generate equal employment opportunities, create jobs for skill and unskilled labor, and create formal or informal employment.

Sommario

1. Le politiche attive del lavoro in Europa ai tempi della pandemia da COVID-19.
2. Start-up, giovani e cooperazione per la sostenibilità.

key words:

Microcredito, sostenibilità,

mercato del lavoro, giovani, imprenditorialità,

politiche europee

1. Le politiche attive del lavoro in Europa ai tempi della pandemia da COVID-191

During the first phase of the pandemic, European governments encouraged the preparation and implementation of passive policies, to stabilize employment and avoid unemployment, reducing, also for reasons due to the need for physical distancing, the implementation of active labour policies. Only a few countries have attempted to maintain this prerogative, for example France and Germany have provided funding for companies or workers to encourage training during part-time work, while in Hungary and the Netherlands participation in training was considered a requirement to receive subsidies for part-time work. For other countries, on the other hand, training activities represented a possibility and not an obligation.

In the second phase, however, in parallel with the partial resumption of production activities in the various national contexts, various governments have deemed it appropriate to give new impetus, although still limited, to active employment policies: in order to help mitigate the criticalities linked to the suspension and at the closure of the production activities, various measures were launched to support those who are in a state of unemployment and those who return to work even in uncertain contexts. These measures focus, first of all, on training activities to support the employability of unemployed people and reinforce the skills and knowledge profile of those in conditions of occupational vulnerability, in consideration of the dynamics of the resumption of activities. The training measures, launched for example in Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Latvia, are aimed at both the staff of larger companies and that of SMEs, favoring in the allocation of resources and in defining the audience of beneficiaries those sectors that most they are affected by the economic crisis linked to the pandemic. In general, these paths are accompanied by unemployment benefits with higher amounts than ordinary ones, as is the case for example in Denmark, due to the peculiarities of the situation that currently characterizes the economy and the labor market.

In addition to training courses, in this area there are initiatives to support the start-up of new businesses, as is the case for example in Finland, where the possibility of receiving economic subsidies for the start-ups is extended until 31 December 2021. Finally, activities were promoted to support the match between demand and supply of work, in particular through mobility programs from sectors particularly affected by the crisis towards sectors that have seen an increase in the demand for work: again in Finland, for example, the activity of the matching platform “Jobs from Finland” connects employers whose business is located in rural areas with job seekers, often residing in urban areas, while in Slovakia a collaboration has been initiated between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Slovakia (Asociácia hotelov a reštaurácií Slovenska - AHRS) to arrange temporary transfers and work assignments of redundant employees from hotels and restaurants to the food industry.

2. Start-up, giovani e cooperazione per la sostenibilità2

30 Start-ups born or strengthened by “Start Up Tunisia”, a project of microcredit funded by AICS – Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo, which united the Marche region of Italy and the North-West of Tunisia. The initiative promoted the construction of territorial partnerships in the sector of local economic development between the Municipality of Fano (Italy) and its socio-economic system and the governorates of Jendouba, Béja and Bizerte.

The project aims precisely to create jobs for young people and women in the agriculture, livestock, food processing and services sectors. This was possible thanks to the technical and financial support of small and medium-sized enterprises that were supported by the public/private system.

StartUp Tunisia is carried out by the Municipality of Fano, ALI Italian Local Autonomies, CEFA-European Committee for Training and Agriculture Onlus, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Consorzio Marche Biologiche, Fondazione Agragria Cante di Montevecchio, ODESYPANO - Ente dello Sviluppo Agro-Silvo-Pastoral of the North-West, ISPT - Institute of Research and Forestry-Pastoral Higher Education of Tabarka, CRDA - Regional Commissariat of Agricultural Development (Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries), Delegation of Tabarka, Delegation by Ain Draham, Delegation of Fernana, Sidi Bou Zitouna Association.
Some of the Start-ups involved in the project:

Pure Nature Pure

The services of Pure Nature Tabarka are registered in the field of responsible and ecological tourism and branch out in the sectors of eco-tourism, crafts, agriculture, gastronomy, sport and leisure. All the proposed activities are aimed at reducing negative impacts on the environment in order to enhance and preserve the natural heritage of the region, so hiking or cycling respect the environment to which they are part, ensuring a unique experienc in close contact with nature. In addition, the structure of the ecotourism center is built in accordance with responsible and ecological tourism standards. The structures are mainly built with recycled materials, rainwater is collected to be used by customers and for irrigation of gardens and a wastewater channeling circuit is operational. Liquid and solid waste follow an evacuation system compliant with hygiene rules and with a reduced impact on the environment. Finally, on the gastronomic side, the cooking is done with traditional clay ovens, which consume less energy and the products used are local and natural, collected from the gardens or purchased from local suppliers to guarantee products at KM0.³

The Brise Andalouse

Brise Andalouse is a Tunisian beekeeping company located in the Medjerda river valley, near the city of Testour. This wetland boasts an important ecological dynamism and its ecosystem is home to a rich biodiversity preserved from the Andalusian era. The richness and diversity of the flora make this place suitable for beekeeping and the production of honey and derivatives. La Brise Andalouse, a farm rebuilt in 2015 by Fatma Dridi, which diversified its production from honey, offers top quality honey and honey-based cosmetic and body care products.⁴

Tunaroma

Tunaroma is a company specialized in the production of essential oils, floral waters, a range of vegetable oils and soaps. It is based in Jendouba, the richest region in aromatic and medicinal plants in Tunisia. The Tunaroma brand allows you to play on all the nuances and all the resources of aromatherapy.⁵
Ecorand Sidi Mechreg

Eco Rand, located in the village of Sidi Mechreg, halfway between Cap Negro and Cap Serrat, is the starting point for numerous ecological discovery activities (hiking, snorkeling, maritime excursions, camping ...). EcoRand also enhances the culinary heritage of the Region, through the preparation of traditional dishes based on local fish and organic vegetables. The initiative aims to have an influence on the area, starting with an awareness: the main role that the natural wealth of the area can play as a lever for local development. EcoRand wants to raise awareness of the diversity of the marine environment, its functioning and its complexity, discovering the specificities of the environment, and educating the public in behaviors and practices that respect the environment and other guests.⁶

The study published in April 2022 by Cogent Economics & Finance through a systematic review aimed on finding the link between microcredit and employment creation. This systematic review showed that by following the social capital theory, microcredit has the potential to create employment, especially for women and through the informal sector. This study develops a framework that explains the contribution of microcredit to employment creation. Introducing microcredit through the institutions of microcredit to various economic sectors will lead to increased sales of goods and services, and increase the volume of factors of production, mainly labour and different types of skills, gender, formal and informal employment. This study also found there is still good scope available for utilising microcredit as a tool for accelerating job expansion in the informal sector. At the same time, other factors are required for employment generation. Enhanced skills-training and management skills for borrowers is very essential for better outcomes. Moreover, providing basic education to women will increase their ability to manage credit. Policymakers should emphasise building awareness and promoting financial literacy for microfinance clients to enhance the empowerment of marginal groups, especially women.

However, further studies are needed in this area given its important contribution to the growth of the economy and to the challenge on how to support and formalise informally created jobs. Moreover, empirical analyses are needed to understand the impact of microcredit on the structure of employment in different economic sectors, especially in order to integrate the variables mentioned in our framework to assess whether microcredit policy can affect the labour force profile, generate equal employment opportunities, create jobs for skill and unskilled labour, and create formal or informal employment. These empirical efforts might offer better information on the productive utilisation of credit based on different types and modes of microcredit programs.⁷

^{1 inapp report, 2022, le policy europee di contrasto alla crisi covid-19 – un’analisi di genere, https://bit.ly/3ouu8as}

^{2 aics, 2022, aics tunisi – start up tunisia – cooperare per la sostenibilità, https://bit.ly/3z9d3ba}

^{3 pure nature pure, https://bit.ly/3bi9ikm}

^{4 the brise andalouse, https://bit.ly/3oxjbzg}

^{5 tunaroma, https://bit.ly/3z4thvb}

^{6 ecorand sidi mechreg, https://bit.ly/3bbij5v}

^{7 cogent economics & finance, 2022, microcredit as a strategy for employment creation: a systematic review of literature, https://bit.ly/3cgzcul}