Provides an overview of microenterprise programs operated by 34 organizations in 24 states, which enrolled nearly 8,880 refugees over an 11-year period. In 1991, the Office of Refugee Resettlement began funding a variety of organizations to assist refugees in achieving economic independence by starting very small businesses, from small farming operations to software development firms. At the end of each grant period, start-up businesses were operating at a rate exceeding national averages for smaller businesses and substantially higher than other microenterprise programs in the United States. As each agency learned what was needed to serve refugees effectively, enrollment grew, more businesses were assisted, and the number and type of loans granted increased. Among the key lessons from these programs are that: (1) organizations that were flexible in mission and structure saw the greatest success with their microenterprise programs; (2) staff selection, training, and retention were critical to program success; (3) programs became increasingly focused on individualized technical assistance and simplified business plans and on collaboration with financial institutions and technical assistance organizations; and (4) funding agencies were increasingly serving the broadest array of ethnicities as possible. All 34 agencies showed an exceptional commitment to helping refugees improve their lives.
