THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
At an online information session hosted by GAIDI gUG on 22 July 2025, the RESTART programme was introduced to members of the African community in Berlin.
Presented by Ingo Müller of Social Impact gGmbH, the session offered a comprehensive overview of this initiative, which aims to empower people with refugee and migration backgrounds to pursue self-employment and economic independence in Germany.
Developed in collaboration with The Human Safety Net and implemented by Social Impact, RESTART supports participants in developing viable business ideas, building entrepreneurial skills, and navigating the German business landscape. The programme is tailored to individuals who have left their countries of origin, regardless of the reasons, and are now seeking sustainable ways to rebuild their lives in Germany.
Müller explained the programme’s multi-phase structure, which includes initial orientation, individual coaching, targeted workshops and opportunities to connect with a strong network of mentors and business professionals. Community-building is also a key component, with local network meetings and peer exchanges fostering mutual support.
A central theme of the session was the common challenges faced by aspiring entrepreneurs with migration and refugee experience – from legal uncertainties and language barrier to identifying sources of financing, and how RESTART addresses these through practical support, personalised guidance and access to vital resources.
The event drew strong interest from participants, many of whom expressed enthusiasm about entrepreneurship as a path to self-reliance in society.
The session was part of YANA Berlin, a GAIDI project supported by the Stiftung Berliner Sparkasse and UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe, which provides multifaceted support for newcomers from Africa, including:
- A dedicated assistance hotline
- Expert-led online information sessions on residency, language, work and health
- Individual consultations, both online and in person
- A mentoring programme linking new arrivals with long-settled migrants
GAIDI’s commitment to spotlighting such initiatives reflects its broader mission to empower refugees and foster integration through capacity-building, knowledge sharing and community engagement.
For more information about RESTART, visit: https://socialimpact.eu/restart
Sola Jolaoso
Contact: YANA Berlin
Phone/WhatsApp: +49176 84980470
E-Mail: info@gaidi.de
Web: www.gaidi.de
