After suitable industrial premises are provided or identified, it would take just six months for Malta's first social enterprise to be realised, Richmond Foundation chairman Anthony Guillaumier has told The Times Business.
The entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist says only the absence of premises measuring around 1,200 square metres stands in the way of Renov8, a long-term supported employment programme for disadvantaged groups like rehabilitated drug abusers, former prisoners, people with mental health issues, or the long-term unemployed.
Mr Guillaumier says Renov8 is a business idea that stems from identifying how the Richmond Foundation, an NGO providing services in community mental health since 1993, could continue to be financially sustainable and independent.
The foundation, which runs a range of rehabilitation, respite, support, housing, employment and prevention programmes, last year had a turnover of €957,000. Most of its funding comes from government grants as authorities buy the foundation's services, but it is responsible for raising 30 per cent.
The social enterprise aims to offer long-term employment opportunities to people scarcely given a chance by employers to turn their lives around through work.
It is also a green idea: many organisations, businesses and homeowners often throw out perfectly usable furniture and household goods when they relocate, or decide to refurbish. Renov8 would collect or receive these goods, repair or give them the "shabby chic" treatment, before selling them for a small profit. Renov8 would also spruce up second-hand toys, books, clothes and soft furnishings. The premises, for which the Richmond Foundation has allocated a reasonable fund, would house a storage facility, a workshop and an exhibition or sales area.
With its social, economic and environment-friendly objectives, Renov8 is a perfect "triple bottom line" business model. A study by advisory firm KPMG commissioned in 2007 by WasteServ, as part of its support of the foundation's initiative, confirmed that the project is feasible.
The enterprise would initially employ around 10 people, including full-time handymen, shop assistants and store keepers. The team would be led by a professional project manager, and part-time trainers will be engaged to help staff learn the required skills. At full capacity, Renov8 would have around 50 people on its payroll. The project could be fully operational in 12 months. If it takes off, Renov8 could also look into diversifying services.
Renov8 would have professional management, and a voluntary board of directors; the Richmond Foundation would be the major shareholder.
"Every supported employment programme run in Malta has unfortunately always been short-term," Mr Guillaumier points out. "A few short-term sheltered workshops are run for disadvantaged groups thanks to partners like the Employment and Training Corporation.
"Three years ago, the Richmond Foundation was involved in a pilot project with WasteServ for a year and people were successfully employed renovating furniture, making parchment and staining glass. We have been assured support from the ETC, the Finance Ministry and other authorities, and many strategic partners for Renov8.
"Malta Enterprise has committed itself to work to identify land upon which premises could be built. That too is an option. When there is interest in a project, the contributions will usually follow."
Mr Guillaumier, who over the years established a cross-section of enterprises and is best known for his aluminium and glass business, is no stranger to new ventures in business or charity.
He admits he enjoys being a catalyst and says he is fortunate to have Richmond Foundation chief executive officer Dolores Gauci to get projects off the ground.
Ms Gauci is equally enthusiastic about Renov8, pointing out that in the Budget speech last November, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech referred to schemes being devised under which the unemployed would be called up to carry out community work to help them gain skills.
Thinking ahead, she explains: "As it becomes profitable, Renov8 would help ensure Richmond Foundation's sustainability, enabling it to offer even more services in this sector.
"If the government offered premises for the enterprise, we too could help reduce unemployment in the most challenging brackets.
"Just imagine, if we earned the same respect as charity shops overseas, one day Renov8's restorations could become status symbols!" Ms Gauci grins.
The entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist says only the absence of premises measuring around 1,200 square metres stands in the way of Renov8, a long-term supported employment programme for disadvantaged groups like rehabilitated drug abusers, former prisoners, people with mental health issues, or the long-term unemployed.
Mr Guillaumier says Renov8 is a business idea that stems from identifying how the Richmond Foundation, an NGO providing services in community mental health since 1993, could continue to be financially sustainable and independent.
The foundation, which runs a range of rehabilitation, respite, support, housing, employment and prevention programmes, last year had a turnover of €957,000. Most of its funding comes from government grants as authorities buy the foundation's services, but it is responsible for raising 30 per cent.
The social enterprise aims to offer long-term employment opportunities to people scarcely given a chance by employers to turn their lives around through work.
It is also a green idea: many organisations, businesses and homeowners often throw out perfectly usable furniture and household goods when they relocate, or decide to refurbish. Renov8 would collect or receive these goods, repair or give them the "shabby chic" treatment, before selling them for a small profit. Renov8 would also spruce up second-hand toys, books, clothes and soft furnishings. The premises, for which the Richmond Foundation has allocated a reasonable fund, would house a storage facility, a workshop and an exhibition or sales area.
With its social, economic and environment-friendly objectives, Renov8 is a perfect "triple bottom line" business model. A study by advisory firm KPMG commissioned in 2007 by WasteServ, as part of its support of the foundation's initiative, confirmed that the project is feasible.
The enterprise would initially employ around 10 people, including full-time handymen, shop assistants and store keepers. The team would be led by a professional project manager, and part-time trainers will be engaged to help staff learn the required skills. At full capacity, Renov8 would have around 50 people on its payroll. The project could be fully operational in 12 months. If it takes off, Renov8 could also look into diversifying services.
Renov8 would have professional management, and a voluntary board of directors; the Richmond Foundation would be the major shareholder.
"Every supported employment programme run in Malta has unfortunately always been short-term," Mr Guillaumier points out. "A few short-term sheltered workshops are run for disadvantaged groups thanks to partners like the Employment and Training Corporation.
"Three years ago, the Richmond Foundation was involved in a pilot project with WasteServ for a year and people were successfully employed renovating furniture, making parchment and staining glass. We have been assured support from the ETC, the Finance Ministry and other authorities, and many strategic partners for Renov8.
"Malta Enterprise has committed itself to work to identify land upon which premises could be built. That too is an option. When there is interest in a project, the contributions will usually follow."
Mr Guillaumier, who over the years established a cross-section of enterprises and is best known for his aluminium and glass business, is no stranger to new ventures in business or charity.
He admits he enjoys being a catalyst and says he is fortunate to have Richmond Foundation chief executive officer Dolores Gauci to get projects off the ground.
Ms Gauci is equally enthusiastic about Renov8, pointing out that in the Budget speech last November, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech referred to schemes being devised under which the unemployed would be called up to carry out community work to help them gain skills.
Thinking ahead, she explains: "As it becomes profitable, Renov8 would help ensure Richmond Foundation's sustainability, enabling it to offer even more services in this sector.
"If the government offered premises for the enterprise, we too could help reduce unemployment in the most challenging brackets.
"Just imagine, if we earned the same respect as charity shops overseas, one day Renov8's restorations could become status symbols!" Ms Gauci grins.