How this social entrepreneur overcame her fear of not making a difference

Generation Why Not — With a stellar education in politics and investment management, 25-year-old Paula Schwarz was destined for a successful career in financial consultancy. Instead, she launched a social initiative, which is now helping to tackle one of the greatest crises facing mainland Europe since the Second World War.

“I’ve always had a very deep love for Greece. I’m half Greek myself and spent much of my childhood being brought up there. So when the country was hit by an economic crash, and then one of the largest refugee crises in history, I knew I had to do something. The problem? I didn’t know where to start.

“The country is on its knees economically, tourism is suffering and the refugees themselves are in a desperate situation. Instead of joining an existing NGO, I decided to invite a team of entrepreneurs, company executives and venture capitalists to a boat off the island of Lesbos to discuss a new approach to the crisis. My hope was that these people would apply their passion, innovation and business-sense to solving a social issue.

IMG_3684

“Eighteen people attended the first ‘Start-Up Boat’ meeting and the end product was an online platform called First-Contact, which provides the key information refugees lack when entering Europe. On the day it launched, the website attracted 18,000 hits, it now has hundreds of thousands of users.

“Since then, Start-Up Boat has created Migration Hub, a collection of four co-working spaces in Berlin, Athens, Lesbos and Samos, where those working on migration-related issues can work rent- free. And more recently, we’ve launched Marharcar, a carpooling service that connects volunteer drivers and coordinators with emergency refugee personnel to help deliver much needed supplies to the frontline. We currently enable 200 deliveries a day and are looking to expand to Macedonia.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learnt from all this is that it requires very little input to create game-changing ideas. If you can make a website, launch a newsletter and think like an entrepreneur, then you can effectively change the world.”

Keep track of our Millennial Hopes and Fears online special.

This article originally appeared in Huck 55 – The Freaked Out Issue. Buy it in the Huck Shop now or subscribe to make sure you never miss another issue. 

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


You might like

Elderly man with white hair and beard wearing glasses, dark jacket and light shirt, sitting at wooden table against white curtains.
Activism

Jeremy Corbyn confirms new party with Zarah Sultana: “Change is coming”

A real alternative? — Sultana revealed that she was quitting the Labour Party yesterday evening, saying that she was going to co-lead a new party with the former Labour leader.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Group of people holding white banner reading "Hermaphrodites with Attitude" in red and black text on building steps.
Activism

There have never been only two sexes — intersex people exist

Hemaphrodite Logic — Juliana Gleeson’s new book explores the intersex movement from 1990-2025. In this exclusive extract, the author outlines intersex liberation as an “unlikely offspring” of feminist and gay/lesbian struggles.

Written by: Juliana Gleeson

A crowd of protesters holding placards and banners, including flags of Ireland, with "Defend the right to protest" and "Defend knee" written on them.
Activism

In photos: Hundreds gather outside court to protest Kneecap terror charge

‘Free Mo Charah’ — With drums, smoke and applause, protesters greeted the rapper outside court as he was released on unconditional bail.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Portrait of a bald man with glasses and a beard, set against a blurred background.
Activism

Misan Harriman: “The humanity I bear witness to is extraordinary”

Shoot the People — Following the premiere of a new film exploring the photographer’s work and driving forces, we caught up with him to chat about his rapid rise, shooting protests and the need for powerful documentarians in times of struggle.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Large crowd of protesters marching with placards and banners, in front of a classical building with columns.
Activism

Transphobia is the main reason why people ‘detransition’, according to new survey

Transphobia’s toll — The largest ever survey of its kind found that just 9% of respondents had "gone back to living as their sex assigned at birth at least for a little while at some point in their lives”, with the biggest reason being discrimination, harassment and being shunned by friends and families.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Bus shelter display advertising Father's Day with orange and black text against an image of a man's face.
Activism

Campaigners hack UK bus ads on Father’s Day to demand Alaa Abd El-Fattah’s release

A father behind bars — Placing posters at bus stops around London, Leeds and Manchester, they called for greater action from foreign secretary David Lammy to reunite the British-Egyptian activist with his son and family.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...