How can self-employed people and SMEs remain healthy and financially resilient during and after the COVID-19 crisis?

Self-employed persons and SMEs are hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, because they have often had to change or end their work. This project investigates what these groups can do themselves to create opportunities to keep their company financially healthy and at the same time remain (mentally) healthy themselves. The effects of specific strategies that are needed to survive the crisis are examined, such as mobilizing external resources (social support, network) and internal resources (self-insight, energy, creativity). In addition, it is investigated whether self-employed persons and SMEs can be supported in the effective application of these strategies through a training intervention. The results are translated into an online training tool that is offered to the target group through their professional and interest associations and an employment agency. The research is carried out in collaboration with the Knowledge Center for Psychology and Economic Behavior.