Up-Skilling unemployed and low skilled workers in self-centred innovation approaches, to empower their self-employability potentials through start-ups and SMEs

Project summary

The acquisition of transversal competencies for adult entrepreneurs regarding innovation utilization and management is specially important now, considering the Capital Markets Union (CMU) action plan as priority of the European Commission in the framework of strengthening Europe’s Economy and stimulate investment to create jobs. At the CMU Public Hearing it was mentioned that as a main obstacle for CMU could be the lack of user-centre innovation on the side of entrepreneurs and SMEs. Moreover, the OECD and EC have published “The Missing Entrepreneurs 2015”, which examines the potential of inclusive entrepreneurship policies and programmes in the European Union and they identified that expanding business start-up provides support for disadvantaged groups can tackle unemployment and social exclusion. In this context the EU has prioratise the support of start-ups in all of its major business, market and economy directives. However, start-ups face common challenges in their development and expansion, with the issues of innovation management and bring new ideas into the market be on the top of the list according to the Forbes and the Start-Up Magazine. It is unusual for small business owners and new entrepreneurs to have an an innovation management skills set which is often a cause for concern, given that failing to keep records up to date can seriously impact the survival of a business. Additionally, according to a series of researches conducted at EU and globally, the luck of basic innovation and design thinking knowledge from the vast majority of potential new entrepreneurs, constitute a basic reason for their demotivation to actually implement their vision and create their own start-up. UInno aims to overturn this challenge and demotivation and provide the necessary tools and knowledge in user-center innovation and digital skills to all EU citizens to initiate their own start up, fulfilling the vision of the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan. In this context, UInno proposes the development of an adult training package to equip with basic skills and knowledge on innovation primarily marginalized EU citizens (including migrants and refugees) who are potential entrepreneurs and start up creators. The UInno training package will be provided in a full digital format based on eLearning pedagogies, work-based online learning, and collaboration. The UInno will be composed of online modules (using innovative training tools such as mini games, real life scenarios, peer to peer support, visualizations) covering the following themes such as Design Thinking, Digital Innovation, Utilizing and Managing Innovation, From the mind to the market, Start-Up Business Plan, Digital Marketing. The development of the UInno online platform will be based on the European strategy for the digital transformation of industry, securing easy access to digital technologies for all SMEs to improve their competitiveness and by preparing our workforce to benefit from the digital transformation - by promoting digital skills across Europe and its regions, at all levels and stages of training. UInno satisfies a number of Erasmus Plus objectives such as: • Develop a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation among EU citizens • Support inclusive training initiatives and digital inclusion for all •Transparency and recognition of skills and qualifications •Development of the EU as a knowledge-based society The UInno and its training accredited partners will secure the recognition of skills and qualifications of UInno participants based on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), and the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) for potential new entrepreneurs to maximize their aces opportunities to the market. The consortium of partners consists of of 1 Business and Entrepreneurship Network (IED), 2 Enterprises (SPI, BEST), 1 Adult Training and Technology Research Centre (CSI), and 1 Entrepreneurship Training Center (ITC) and 1 Chambers of Commerce (CCIAA). The diversity within the partnership facilitates the exchange of best practice and learning from others which is an important added-value. Critical support to the consortium will be provided by wider network of associate partners of the core project partners, who are coming from a wide range of, professional and regional backgrounds, directly related to the UInno theme. Long term benefits for EU and its Citizens -Placing Startup and Innovation related skills at the heart of the EU Market and establishing the EU as the pioneer actor in the global market -Addressing digital skills in EU offering advanced tools for relevant skills upgrade and accreditations -Empower stakeholders to use accredited innovative ICT-based educational practices in enhancing people’s entrepreneurial, collaboration, problem solving, creativity and innovation.