The Iti Rearea Collective is a Foundation North funded initiative and has five partners: ARCC, Catalysr, Ngā Tāngata Microfinance, University of Otago and Women Entrepreneurship Centre (WEC). The collective has a vision for Aotearoa New Zealand to be a safe and just place for resettled communities to ascend to great heights of fulfilled aspiration and potential. In early 2021 the collective launched two new business programs, NEST and SOAR, with the target audience being resettled community members who wish to start or grow a business. The mission of the collective is to enable aspiring resettled community entrepreneurs to achieve financial independence and social inclusion by creating successful businesses.
NEST is for anyone wanting to start a new business and includes 12 weeks of group workshops, monthly networking events and personal financial mentoring. SOAR is aimed at those who already have a business (or those that have completed NEST) and wants help growing their business, and includes 12 weeks of one-on-one business coaching. ARCC’s role is in the programs is to recruit participants, provide them with ongoing support throughout the program and to gather their feedback.
Anyone interested in joining the collective’s NEST or SOAR programs should contact Community Navigator Hnin Pwint Soe (e: pwint@arcc.org.nz , p: 09 846 0110) to discuss. You can find out more by visiting the Iti Rearea Collective website.