Creating Art and Serving Communities

Mohannad: a man with a talent

Mohannad is a young Syrian refugee with great ambitions. He is confident, talks well and is a true businessman. When you step into his small shop, he shows you all his products and equipment while talking passionately about his work, though it speaks for itself. The amazing wall decorations and figurines of different TV series characters show a unique kind of business. Wednesday Adams from the famous TV series is one of his favourite characters, and is right there on display.  

The beginning of a passion

“I fell in love with 3D printing when I was studying electronic engineering,” he said. It was the time of COVID-19 lockdown when he was in his final year of studies, working on his last project at Harran University in Şanlıurfa, Türkiye. 3D-printedtime for teaching and training himself. He created a 3D printed robot and graduated later that year. This was the moment his career took shape. He had a clear idea in his mind but could not do much because he did not have the financial means to buy the equipment he needed to open his own business. He was stuck for a year, then his chance finally arrived. 

Finding a solution

A friend of his told him about the Business Development Center run by INGEV under the BRIDGES Programme. With funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Development Bank (KFW), the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) coordinates with several local organizations, such as INGEV, to support entrepreneurs from refugee and host communities with both technical and start-up capital assistance to open their own businesses. The process starts with providing different types of trainings such as project management, marketing and Turkish labor law before selecting graduates with strong business plans and offering them start-up grants. “The trainings saved me time because I learned the necessary professional steps for establishing my business that I did not know previously.” 

Getting support to succeed

Mohannad submitted a successful business plan which secured an initial startup and, later, a top-up grant. The two grants got him a scanner and different types and sizes of 3D printers to work on various types of plastic. DRC and INGEV continued supporting him through follow-up sessions and mentorship.

The beginning of a success

His business quickly flourished as he was the only 3D shop owner in Şanlıurfa. He is receiving many requests to produce different products. His business has expanded to producing parts for dental laboratories and car mechanics. He is succeeding. 

Dreams for the future

Having such passion drives him into developing himself and having bigger ambitions. He knows he is still young and has a long way, but that is not stopping him. “I am still at the beginning of the road,” he said. “This why I sometimes make mistakes but I am learning to be better.” 

He is planning to open a factory and hire people. It is a long-term plan, but he has faith he will be able to make it. 

• Business development centres and in-kind grants under BRIDGES are funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Development Bank (KFW). 
• Top-up grants are funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).