The BIG Partnership
is an initiative of the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies (CRSA)

Since 2012, the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies (CRSA) has been providing direct services to Georgia's refugee and immigrant communities. Through this work, CRSA members discovered a need to strengthen the relationship between Georgia's business and immigrant communities.

In response to this issue, the CRSA founded the BIG Partnership in 2020 to bring together civic and business leaders committed to enhancing Georgia's economy by tapping the potential of the state's foreign-born community. With over two dozen members already, the BIG Partnership continues to grow and carve a path toward greater prosperity for all Georgians.

To connect with the CRSA, please visit our website or social media pages:

CRSA

Our BIG Story

Colorful Modern Business Chronology Time

2012

The Coalition of Refugee Services Agencies (CRSA) is founded to highlight the cultural, social, and economic contributions of refugees and immigrants in Georgia.

2020

The Business & Immigration for Georgia (BIG) Partnership is founded as an initiative of CRSA to strengthen Georgia's economy by tapping into the potential in the state’s New American communities.

2021

The Community Speaks: BIG and CRSA poll community members and partners to establish policy priorities, including expanding access to education, employment and entrepreneurship for refugee and immigrant Georgians.

2022

BIG advances a House resolution to create state's first bipartisan legislative study committee committed to removing economic barriers impacting refugee and immigrant Georgians.

2023

BIG marks the introduction of more bipartisan legislation in support of refugees and immigrants in Georgia than ever before, including bills to expand access to education and strengthen the healthcare workforce.

2024

BIG hosts Maximizing Global Talent: Opportunities for Georgia Business in the heart of corporate Atlanta, the first convening of Georgia business, government and refugee and immigrant leaders to explore workforce solutions.

BIG hosts 2nd annual Global Talent convening to explore streamlined pathways to practice for experienced refugee and immigrant healthcare professionals: Maximizing Global Talent: Expanding Georgia's Healthcare Workforce.

BIG is the catalyst for first piece of bipartisan legislation introduced in Georgia to expand access to education for refugee and other forcibly displaced students.

House Study Committee on Innovative Ways to Maximize Global Talent travels the state to hear from more than 15 panels and 40 stakeholders and releases groundbreaking report of bipartisan recommendations.

BIG advances bipartisan licensing reform to strengthen Georgia's healthcare workforce by integrating experienced physicians from the state's refugee and immigrant communities.