Economic Independence Inititiative
Burst for Prosperity's Economic Independence Initiative (EII) focuses on strengthening social and human capital by building individual capacity rather than relying on external aid. The EII specifically targets immigrants and refugees by focusing on leveraging existing assets in order to accelerate integration and cultural adjustment to promote financial independence. The EII emphasizes leadership and resource development to empower immigrants and refugees to build social and professional networks that enable them to better navigate their own career pursuits.
The Farm Incubator Project
Two years ago, Burst for Prosperity began this pilot project working with low-income refugees in order to assess the economic impact of providing technical assistance and access to resources to launch small-scale farming businesses. Elements of the program included extensive community outreach, small business development services, mentoring of on-farm management skills, leadership training, marketing, and resource development. After two years assessing the impact, Burst for Prosperity is now moving this project in a sustainable direction in partnership with Seattle Tilth.
Seattle Tilth and Burst for Prosperity, along with a cadre of community partners such as PCC Land Trust and City of Seattle, are working to assist an increased number of refugees, immigrants, and other low-income individuals with overcoming the obstacles of creating successful farming businesses. To make this a reality, Seattle Tilth, in support of Burst's project management team, is establishing a farm incubator based on a model out of California. This model, called Agricultural Land Based Training Association (ALBA), is a learn-by-doing concept targeted to Mexican immigrants eager to start their own farm enterprise. At the heart of this project is the idea that participating farmers learn best when actually operating a farm enterprise in a supportive environment.
The ultimate goal of this farm incubator project is to produce confident, competent, financially independent individuals who can take their training and experience and apply it to farming, other businesses, and being more marketable in the field of their choice.
Methodology
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Pilot Programs
We strategically allocate resources to conduct scalable or replicable pilot programs in order to demonstrate effective solutions that assist individuals with building both personal and financial assets that promote long term sustainable financial independence.
