For every euro invested in business coaching for women with a migration background, €3.14 flows back to the government
For the first time in Flanders, the economic and social returns of business coaching have been calculated
8 October 2026
Antwerp, 8 October 2026 – For the first time in Flanders, researchers have calculated the economic and social returns of business coaching for women with a migration background. A SROI (Social Return on Investment) analysis by IDEA Consult of the #SheMeansBusiness programme run by the nonprofit #SheDIDIT calculates how much social and economic value the investment generates. It estimates that for every euro invested, €3.14 flows back to the government.
Key figures at a glance
- €3.14 public return per euro invested in the broad model
- €2.11 public return per euro invested in the core model
- 54.3% of participants have an active business up to 5 years after the programme
- €9.7 million estimated turnover of supported businesses over three years
- +57 percentage points in knowledge of the steps needed to start a business
The figures make clear that investing in entrepreneurship among women with a migration background not only creates opportunities for the women themselves, but also generates a broader social and economic return.
Through #SheMeansBusiness, women with a migration background receive individual business coaching and practical support to start or further develop a business. The programme helps them turn their entrepreneurial ambitions into sustainable economic activity while strengthening their position in society.
Why this study?
Roughly one in three residents of Belgium has a migration background, yet part of that economic potential remains underused today. At the start of #SheMeansBusiness, 40% of the women are not active on the labour market. #SheDIDIT therefore wanted to know what targeted guidance can mean for their economic participation: what does it yield when women start a business after their programme, or move into salaried employment? The SROI study now puts a concrete figure in euros on that social and economic return for the first time.
"Entrepreneurship is not a given for many women with a migration background. Being able to show in euros what a well-guided start delivers for society confirms what we see every day: when you remove barriers, economic value emerges." — Lien Warmenbol, CEO and co-founder of #SheDIDIT
The impact goes beyond euros
The programme's impact goes beyond the purely financial return. Participants demonstrably build more knowledge about entrepreneurship and have a better understanding of the steps needed to start a business.
The organisation's baseline and follow-up measurements show that knowledge of the steps needed to launch a business increases by 57 percentage points. Knowledge of the Belgian business context rises by 48.6 percentage points. The study thus makes three forms of impact visible: a public return of €3.14 per euro invested, a clear boost in entrepreneurial knowledge, and an estimated €9.7 million in turnover generated by the supported businesses.
"The #SheMeansBusiness programme and my coach Patty gave me the confidence and knowledge to go all in on my Syrian catering business. Thanks to the many role models within the organisation, I also saw that you don't have to be a 'typical' entrepreneur to be successful." — Areej Abdeen, #SheMeansBusiness participant and owner of a Syrian catering business
About the research
Commissioned by #SheDIDIT, IDEA Consult calculated the SROI of #SheMeansBusiness based on data from 908 women who were supported between 2021 and 2025, supplemented by a survey of 78 participants. The effects were calculated over a period of three years.
The study uses two models. The core model is the most conservative estimate and looks at self-employment and avoided public costs. The broad model adds professional integration into salaried employment. The returns are €2.11 and €3.14 per euro invested, respectively.
The SROI is a substantiated estimate. Depending on the assumptions used, the return ranges from €1.64 to €2.57 in the core model and from €2.68 to €3.61 in the broad model. Not all social effects, such as acquired knowledge and skills, are expressed in euros.
The study was made possible thanks to support from the Impact Together Fund of BNP Paribas Fortis and the King Baudouin Foundation, and from the NAIAD Foundation.
The full study is available as an attachment (only available in Dutch).
SROI-analyse #SheMeansBusiness (NL)
PDF - 1.8 Mb
About #SheDIDIT
#SheDIDIT is a Belgian nonprofit and impact organisation for women entrepreneurs with a migration background. Through individual business coaching (#SheMeansBusiness), a youth programme (Youthpreneurs), interest-free loans (#SheFUND) and a large community with workshops and networking events, #SheDIDIT helps women realise their entrepreneurial ambitions. More info: www.shedidit.be
Note to editors, not for publication
For more information or visual material, please contact:
Lien Warmenbol, CEO and co-founder of #SheDIDIT, is available for interviews. We can also arrange for several women (from different provinces) to share their personal experiences with the #SheMeansBusiness programme.
