Minority Businesses Diaspora Interchange
The MBDI programme was developed to strengthen and widen minority business networks to address the issues of identifying and exploiting new ways of creating employment in urban areas. During 2007 Prevista become the lead body for this EQUAL programme, taking over from Business Link for London.
The programme was a national partnership involving 15 partners including Business Links and Chambers from outside London, as well as a number of partners and BAME networks in London. It focused on minority communities and the diaspora links, and there were a number of work strands (such as procurement, BAME networks, international trade, and the creative sector). It was closely aligned to the London Development Agency BAME Action Plan and also incorporated national and transnational dimensions. The aims of the programme were to promote:
- New enterprise and business support models
- Stronger links between mainstream agencies and minority communities
- Better understanding of the needs and priorities of entrepreneurs from minority communities
