A Yearly Review of Homeless Entrepreneur in 2024 in 11 Pictures, 4 Videos & 2 Songs

Some say pictures speak louder than words, so we've decided to put that to the test, so everyone can see how we've sped up the process of empowering people made of potential out of homelessness via sustainable work and active citizenship for and with homeless people in our main programs once again in 2024 thanks to our growing international community.

January

The 1st edition of The Great Walk, which is an epic 150 km walk to give a voice and presence to the 150 million homeless individuals worldwide, was successfully created and completed. Every kilometer we walk represents 1 million people made of potential experiencing homelessness. We started in Zurich, Switzerland and finished in Davos to coincide with the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Homeless Entrepreneur celebrated our 6th annual WEF Sleepout in Davos in our effort to empower people made of potential out of homelessness thanks to public-private partnerships.

February

Homeless Entreprenuer’s commitment to empowering tourists with The Social Impact Room at Hostal Grau Eco Boutique strengthened as its guests starting choosing the initiative on their own instead of being selected.

Every Social Impact Room ends homelessness for 1 homeless person per year, gives a voice to 19 homeless individuals per year and connects 62 people experiencing homelessness with our Helpline annually. On top the direct impact we have on the local homeless community, we are building a stronger, more conscientious network of professional who travel the world and want to make the world a better place so ESGs (Environment/Social/Governance) become part of the DNA of global tourism.

March

As Homeless Entrepreneur expands throughout Europe, we educate future professionals in university about the obstacles and opportunities that the homeless community face.

Thanks to WorldStrides, our founder president, Andrew Funk, presented amazing strategy challenge for THE Great Walk to 230 students from the University of Utah, who even walked 345km as a group that day. They came up with new ideas to improve THE Great Walk, which helped us prepare for walk to Paris for the Summer Olympics Games.

April

Mentorship and strengthening our bonds with corporations not only provides direct support to our beneficiaries through our HELP program and main projects, it also bridges the gap between homelessness and the corporate world for Homeless Entrepreneurs.

For example, three Homeless Entrepreneurs were invited to present their HELP program and personal projects in front of the board of Novartis (Spain) as well as receive mentorship support throughout the year.

May

Travel plays a key role in improving Homeless Entrepreneur’s model of empowering people made of potential out odf homelessness. We learn more about how European cities are addressing it, while building the scope and strength of our support network.

We travelled to Belgium, Luxembourg and Belgium during May.

We are currently looking for our Mobility for Good Partner for 2025!

June

Nothing makes us happier than empowering people made of potential out of homelessness through our HELP Program except when we unite them with the sponsors who funding their program like Ismaila and Patrick.

The community of Europe’s #1 MasterMind by Patrick Wind successfully supported 2 Homeless Entrepreneurs in 2023-24 and committed to funding 4 more HELP programs in 2024-25!

July

Thanks to the support of Air Liquide and our network support, we successfully our second Great Walk, which started in Orleans, France and ended in Paris for the Summer Olympic Games, where we gave 150 million homeless people a voice and presence throughout the countryside and during the Olympics.

August

Homeless Entrepreneur partnered up with fritz-kola (our Helpline sponsor in 2024 who empower more than 200 homeless beneficiaries through our Helpline: +34 697 877 089) and Microsoft for our HEAT AID campaign for 3 main reasons:

1) No one should die in our streets due to the heat. Local government, corporations and everyday citizens have the chance to come together and ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness have the resources, tools and network to stay safe and healthy while providing opportunities to become active, working citizens again.

2) People experiencing homelessness are more exposed to heat related deaths. According to Climate Scientist David Hondula, “homeless people are about 200 times more likely to die from heat-associated causes than sheltered people.” (1)

3) Spain is one of the countries in Europe where the mortality rate of heat-related causes is the highest. Researchers found 61,672 people died of heat-related causes in Europe between 30 May and 4 September 2022. (2)

September

We finally completed our Twelve Cities project by Guillem S. Benet, a minimalist catalan pianist, which sonifies the obstacles and opportunities of homelessness and poverty in twelve European cities is almost finished.

Enjoy his piano piece called “Strasbourg,“ which was the last one he composed and officially published in November.

We are also proud to have inspired the city of Luxembourg with our project.

Tim de Buyser, 14 years old, is a student at the Conservatory and won first prize at the My Urban Piano Competition in 2023. In this video filmed in the Pfaffenthal elevator, he plays a piece composed by Guillem S. Benet, which is part of a cycle of songs representing different European countries.

October

Thanks to volunteers like Cristina Cabello, Global Procurement Technology at EY, Homeless Entrepreneur becoming part of the corporate DNA to create greater social impact.

We were selected as a potential recipient of Javier Pancorbo Awards’ XVII Edition at EY Spain in Madrid, Spain. Although we didn’t win the prize, we did win the hearts and minds of stakeholders at EY!

November

Our model to end homelessness caught the attention of Norway!

Our founder president, Andrew Funk, gave an interactive presentation called “Mastering the Art of Ending Homelessness“ at the Norwegian International Entrepreneurship Conference directed by Kristian Aartun.

December

After three long years of developing the concept, our “The UnforeSeen Variable“ sculpture created by international artist, Veronica de Nogales, in collaboration with Homeless Entrepreneur to raise awareness on global precarity and climate change to create positive social impact, it is finally going to be unveiled during the World Economic Forum at the Climate Hub Davos, which is organized by GreenUp.

Summary

Thanks to everyone who has been involved, we've provided support to +1,000 beneficiaries in our main programs in 2024 and hope to empower +3,000 people made of potential experiencing homelessness in our programs in 2025.

Special Thanks to our Collaborators, Partners & Support Network who EMPOWERED PEOPLE MADE OF POTENTIAL OUT OF HOMELESSNESS WITH US IN 2024!

We’d like to thank everyone who have placed their trust in Homeless Entrepreneur by interacting with us and supporting our work and most importantly our beneficiaries in 2024 because it wouldn’t be possible without them!

We need your support for 2025!

If you appreciate our work and would like to help support us, please do.

A donation that comes from your heart, which is coherent with your interest and possibilities is the difference between more or less homeless people made of potential becoming empowered out of poverty.

A huge hug,

Andrew Funk

Founder President of Homeless Entrepreneur

Homeless Entrepreneur’s Sculpture Gives 150 Million Homeless People a Presence at the World Economic Forum in Davos

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – Homeless Entrepreneur has the pleasure of announcing the unveiling of the powerful sculpture “The UnforeSeen Variable,” created by international artist Veronica de Nogales, which is organized by GreenUp at the Climate Hub (Arkadenplatz (Kulturplatz), Promenade 58C, Davos Platz on 20 January 2025 at 15h) during the World Economic Forum (WEF) This monumental piece, which embodies the challenges and resilience of 150 million homeless individuals, aims to spark conversation and inspire action on the global stage. 

The unveiling will take place on the first day of the WEF, a gathering that brings together world leaders, innovators, and influencers dedicated to addressing pressing global issues, including climate change and social inequality. “The UnforeSeen Variable” serves as a poignant reminder of the unforeseen challenges faced by many, particularly in the context of economic disparity exacerbated by climate-related issues.

Veronica de Nogales, known for her thought-provoking installations, has crafted “The UnforeSeen Variable” to reflect the dynamic interplay between society's expectations and the unpredictable nature of human experiences. The sculpture is constructed from recycled materials, reinforcing the message of sustainability and the importance of reimagining waste in a world striving for ecological balance. 

“This sculpture is not just an artistic endeavor; it is a call to action,” said de Nogales. “It invites viewers to reconsider their perceptions of homelessness and to understand that every individual has their own story, their own unseen variables that shape their journey.” 

Homeless Entrepreneur, committed to empowering people made of potential out of homelessness, aims to use this sculpture to foster dialogue and action among WEF attendees and beyond. By highlighting the intersection of economic, environmental, and social challenges, the organization hopes to inspire collaborative solutions that can uplift marginalized communities. 

“We believe that art has the power to transform perspectives and catalyze change,” said Andrew Funk, Founder President of Homeless Entrepreneur. “With ‘The UnforeSeen Variable,’ we aim to not only raise awareness but also encourage leaders to take actionable steps towards inclusivity and sustainability.” 

The unveiling event will feature speeches from advocates, artists, and leaders in the social entrepreneurship space, along with opportunities for attendees to engage with the sculpture and reflect on its message. Major press outlets are encouraged to cover this significant event, which promises to be a highlight of the WEF. 

For more information about the sculpture and its impact, please visit Homeless Entrepreneur’s website: https://www.homelessentrepreneur.org/en/solidary-projects/sculpture-the-unforeseen-variable

Join Us in Shaping the Conversation 

We invite journalists, media outlets, and influencers to join us in Davos to witness the unveiling and participate in the dialogue that surrounds this important topic. Together, we can work towards a future where every individual is seen, heard, and valued. 

For media inquiries, please contact: Andrew Funk, Founder President of Homeless Entrepreneur / Tel: +34 697 877 089 / funk@homelessentrepreneur.org

About Homeless Entrepreneur: Homeless Entrepreneur is dedicated to empowering people made of potential out of homelessness through active citizenship, entrepreneurship and creative expression. By providing our main programs, resources and support, we aim to transform lives and foster community connections.

About Veronica de Nogales: Veronica de Nogales is an international artist known for her thought provoking public art installations with Dam de Nogales Sculptors. Her work often highlights environmental and social issues, inviting viewers to engage with and reflect on the world around them.

About Climate Hub by GreenUp: The regenerative impact space Climate Hub Davos is created and hosted by the Swiss non-profit GreenUp. The Climate Hub Davos brings together people working on climate and nature, and welcomes all those wanting to collaborate and be inspired to do more: everybody is invited to visit and co-create the climate positive future we need.

Who is Responsible for Homelessness in Brussels? Government, Corporate or the People

By: Veronica Broskovetz, Social Policy intern at Homeless Entrepreneur

Please TAKE THIS SURVEY

Who is Responsible for Homelessness in Brussels? Government, Corporate or the People

I am a social policy intern for the international nonprofit, Homeless Entrepreneur (HE). We work with homeless people, who want to be active, working citizens again. The three main programs we provide are: the Helpline via WhatsApp (+34 697 877 089), Voices, and the HELP Program. All of these contribute to empowering people made of potential out of homelessness with a job, home, and, of course, ambition.

We aim to inspire change on a macro level to reduce global homelessness. One of HE’s major projects is the EU Report of Assistance v. Empowerment, which will be presented to the EU Parliament. To do so we are focusing on 12 strategically chosen cities within the EU to gather greater research and data as well as connect with donors, interns, partners, volunteers and governmental officials. My focus throughout this internship has been on the city of Brussels, whose homeless problem has exponentially increased since 2010. Throughout my research and interviews, I couldn’t help but wonder “who should take responsibility for this homeless population that is not going to disappear overnight?”

Anti-homeless architecture in Brussels: Photo by Andrew Funk (Homeless Entrepreneur)

Finding information on homelessness and using that information to determine who is homeless, and why, in various regions was relatively easy for me. According to a field study and data by DIOGENES, composed by Bruss’help, the primary homeless population in Brussels, Belgium consists of asylum seekers, intra-EU migrants, and 42.6% are Belgian nationals. This is caused by the fact that many of the non-Belgian migrants cannot obtain residence status, which makes it difficult to have a consistent paycheck and healthcare. 

The more plausible question that must be asked is, whose responsibility is it to accommodate, take care of and empower this homeless population in Brussels? After speaking with Laura Fritz, project manager with FEANTSA and asking her this hard-to-answer question she concluded that “in a perfect world it would be the government’s responsibility.” Homeless Entrepreneur recognizes the role of the government, but strongly believes that the private and civic sector play an equally important role in ending and preventing homelessness. I also spoke with Adele Pierre, a census advisor with Bruss’Help, who organizes and conducts the data collection of homelessness in Brussels. She stated during our meeting that, “Most of the help comes from our volunteers and other NGOs, even the police help out.” When asked about the cost of conducting this activity to count the number of homeless people on one given day during the year, she said that it really doesn’t cost anything money wise but “costs a lot in people.” Homeless Entrepreneur favors taking the value of the volunteer time into consideration and would even go as far as saying that the government should give those individuals a tax-write off for their contribution to society.

The wide spectrum of homelessness, which goes beyond the number of people sleeping in the street on any given night, sheds light on the limits of how accurate these counts truly are. The public numbers we see represent a floor value, and, unfortunately, the sky’s the limit until we learn how to structure data on homelessness better. Professionalizing how the government collects this type of data will have a tremendous impact on how society sees and addresses homelessness, which is why we firmly advocate for improvements to take place.

Espace Léopold. Right in front of the European Parliament. Photo by Andrew Funk (Homeless Entrepreneur)

The private sector has yet to address homelessness properly; nonprofits are limited in size and funding, and the government claims to have a lack of resources, so… who’s responsible? 

The primary policies that have been established by the Belgian government revolve around emergency housing/shelter. An example would be Housing First, which was initiated in 2013. This is of course is quintessential to helping their large homeless population and perhaps the first step however after people are given a home below the market value they still lack the resources to be active, working citizens and can consolidate their status as a burden upon the state. Their solutions follow an assistance based approach. 

Fabio Betancourt, ambassador of HOMEcan and HELP beneficiary, presenting in front of PMI (Project Management Institute) in Barcelona, Spain. Photo by Veronica Broskovetz (Homeless Entrepreneur)

Why isn’t the homeless community being empowered? I spoke with Fabio Betancourt, one of the Homeless Entrepreneurs in our HELP program in Barcelona, Spain and asked him what he thought about this issue. He states that initially “you blame yourself” and that there are “very few places that accept you.” I also proceeded to ask him if he had received help from any other nonprofits in Spain and he said that he has received assistance-based support, but Homeless Entrepreneur was the only place he was truly being empowered. It is very hard if you are in the process of getting your documentation fixed. The aspects he’s found most helpful have been receiving professional development coaching support that makes him more employable as well as the IBM SkillsBuild certification.

State of Europe Unity in Peace. Photo by Andrew Funk (Homeless Entrepreneur)

The truth of the matter is that nonprofits throughout the EU are stretched too thin when it comes to constructing long lasting solutions; the government needs to start implementing empower-based models; and the corporate world has to include ending poverty into the design of its core business. A better sustainable revenue stream model must be created to ensure that NGOs are able to focus on their goal of ending homelessness while public-private-civic partnerships provide a better framework.

“Please listen to our song Brussels by Guillem S. Benet; imagine this city without homelessness; and let us know what you envisioned!”
— Andrew Funk, Founder President of Homeless Entrepreneur

If you live or work in Brussels, please connect with us via LinkedIn and become a volunteer or partner to speed up the process of empower people made of potential out of homelessness in your beautiful city.

*Thank you for reading this article! If you would like to contribute your thoughts, pictures or videos to this article or believe you have found mistakes and/or misinformation, please contact us and tell us about it by clicking on the button next to this text, so we can take your feedback into consideration.

Connect with the author, Veronica Broskovetz, via LinkedIn!

 

Works Cited:

Barbu, Simona. “Homelessness among Asylum-Seekers in Brussels.” Social Europe, 6 Sept. 

2024, www.socialeurope.eu/homelessness-among-asylum-seekers-in-brussels 

“European Homeless Entrepreneur Report on Assistance vs Empowerment.” Homeless 

Entrepreneur, www.homelessentrepreneur.org/en/solidary-projects/eu-he-ae-report 

Intra-Eu Migrants Experiencing Homelessness in Brussels, 

www.feantsa.org/public/user/Resources/reports/BRU_3690_RapportMigrants_EN_1_BD.pdf

The Role of Non-Profit Organisations in the Support Of ..., 

www.feantsaresearch.org/public/user/Observatory/2022/EJH_16-1/EJH_16-1_A5_v02.pdf

Times, The Brussels. “Breaking Point: Homelessness in Brussels Goes from Bad to Worse.” 

The Brussels Times, www.brusselstimes.com/678541/breaking-point-homelessness-in-brussels-goes-from-bad-to-worse