Abstract
The paper is based on an on-going empirical PhD project and deals with the contribution of migrant entrepreneurship in the South Tyrol of Italy. The potential of migrant entrepreneurship lies on the positive impact in the human rights space in terms of participation, resilience and empowerment. Therefore, entrepreneurship among migrants must be seen as a new arena for social, economic and political action. In order to develop more effective policies on a national as well as on a European level there is a significant need to rethink migrants role in society, economic growth and job creation. In addition, increasing awareness of the positive part that migrants can play as self-employees could contribute to a more sensible public debate on the phenomenon and lead to recognize migrant economies also as an important part of integration policy.