LEAP into Self-employment Programme
Overview
Duration
11 weeks from 2 September, 2025 to 15 November, 2025 (includes a 2-week pause for independent work)
Format
Combination of in-person workshops in 8134 Adliswil on Tuesdays, some Thursdays and online sessions
Language of Instruction
Bilingual (English/German).
Fee
CHF 100
(Enrolment fee, after being accepted into the programme). Please contact us if this poses a problem for your participation.
Contact: selfemployment@capacity.swiss
Capacity’s LEAP into Self-Employment programme supports individuals with refugee and migrant backgrounds in Switzerland to embark on independent careers as freelancers, consultants, and providers of specific services or products.
The programme aims to facilitate participants’ integration into the Swiss entrepreneurial ecosystem and contribute to their ability to create self-sustenance and a steady income as independent professionals.
Participants acquire personal leadership skills to navigate their independent career paths more effectively. They also gain essential entrepreneurship skills to strengthen their products or services, create a strategic business blueprint, and devise a marketing strategy to enter the market.
As part of the Capacity community, participants expand their personal and professional networks, supporting their journey beyond the programme.
Eligibility Criteria
- You have a migrant or refugee background or come from a country at risk of a humanitarian disaster OR your business or non-profit is focused on creating impactful solutions for displaced communities, employs, or provides products or services for people with refugee experience.
- You have at least a B2 level proficiency in English or German.
- You reside in Switzerland (permit B, C, F, or S). Schengen visas are not accepted.
- You have developed a prototype for your product or service, which you are testing or already implementing (formally or informally)
- You are available to attend 4 in-person Workshops in Adliswil 8134 and 4 online Zoom meetings between 2 September and 15 November 2025
- You are willing and able to work independently on your project for an average of 10 hours per week
- You have a serious commitment to your idea and to take your self-employment activity to the next level
LEAP into your power
Taking the path to self-employment in Switzerland can be particularly challenging for a newcomer.
LEAP is designed to enhance your self-leadership and business skills to help you better navigate your self-employment journey.
Designed for bootstrapping entrepreneurs, LEAP helps you recognise and organise the resources you already have to successfully launch or expand your market reach.
Programme Highlights
- Hands-on learning
- Self-leadership skills
- Marketing, branding, and communication
- Pitch practice
- Strengthening your network
What we do
- Offer interactive Workshops to help you strengthen your self-employment offerings
- Present materials in both German and English to accommodate speakers of either language
- Share business tools to optimise planning and efficiency
- Build strong peer communities to support you during the programme and beyond
What we do not do
- Provide financing for your project
- Provide visa sponsorship
Do you meet the participation criteria and are interested in joining the programme?
Applications for LEAP starting in September 2025 are now open. Applications are due on 20 July. We encourage you to apply early due to limited spots and rolling review!
Your application should answer: Why you? Why LEAP? Why your venture? Why now?
Thanks to eBay and Capacity’s partners, the LEAP programme is offered at no cost to participants. Upon enrollment, a non-refundable registration fee of CHF 100 is required – the fee can be waived based on your financial circumstances.
Ahson Javaid
Participant Entrepreneurship Programme 2022 and founder of Shayolino
Thank you to the Capacity team for building my confidence. Thank you for helping me realise that I can do it, and thank you for giving me an opportunity to connect with valuable peers.
We thank our programme Partner for 2025
New partners welcome
The LEAP programme is made possible thanks to the generous funding and sponsorship of eBay Foundation and Generali. Interested in supporting and advancing our new programme as a partner?