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Youth in Business

2019-1-PT02-KA105-0058102019Youth mobilityfinalizedGood practice
Countries: PT|IT|HR|HU|BG|CY|PL|SK · Grant: €36,060
Social entrepreneurship / social innovationAccess for disadvantagedEntrepreneurial learning - entrepreneurship education

Objectives

The project is an educational experience for youth workers involved in youth education. The activity aims to develop and stimulate entrepreneurial spirit of young workers which will later be transferred to young people, especially for the ones from remote areas. The project address to youth belonging to geographical areas which limits young people’s opportunities. Also this regions are underrepresented in the public dialogue, while situation is significantly worse in employment opportunities. On average, is the main type of regions affected by negative population growth, this being the reason of “Ghost towns” appearing: youth flee the village or town for better opportunities and settlements remain deserted. This areas are: mountain areas in general with a particular focus on those zones far from the city and with a difficult road access, countryside with heavy road access, areas where there was an industrial trend in the past but now the economical situation led to factory closing. This situations we meet in al Erasmus+ Program Countries due to various causes: last economic crisis from 2008, the influence of former communist regimes were applied, cultural and habits changes, lack of governmental fast response to the issue. At the same time it is noted that youth face discrimination when they start a business. Grants are small and hard to manage due to the bureaucratic chain. Bribe and traffic of influence is still present, especially in Eastern Europe, while support is poor from governmental side. As a consequence youth decide to leave their living area with no opportunities, with long term impact like: increase in pollution of urban areas, living standard and life expectancy indicator decreases, deserted settlements, lost of tradition, low tourism development, lack of small businesses, no tradition keepers and increased unemployment. Each of the project foreseen mobilities will involve participation and work of 24 youth workers (YW) coming form 8 countries. 1. A Training Course prepares YW on hunting and developing entrepreneurial skills of youth with fewer opportunities, especially those from remote areas. During 7-days, between 17th and 23th of November 2019 in RZESZÓW, Poland, youth workers will improve entrepreneurial knowledge, become aware of their role in stimulating private initiative of youth, how areas can develop if youth start new businesses in the community. 2. The Study Visit will last 5 days between 3rd and 7th of February 2020 in Porto, Portugal, when participants will visit local enterprises, educational centres, an awarded school with entrepreneurial tradition and will have the chance to meet local experts as quests during SV sessions. The objectives of the project can be grouped into three broad categories: 1) contribute to the development of youth entrepreneurship in disadvantaged areas: a) increase the entrepreneurial knowledge of 24 participants; b) offer good and bad examples of young companies through sessions of the Training Course and through local visits of the Study Visit with access to experts who will promote the sessions; c) show how grants can be used to start a business; d) show how the school promotes entrepreneurship; e) Promote the importance of non-formal education 2) contribute to the construction of an online, international and active community of Youth Workers: a) create an online group / community on a social networking page and support its development; b) guide and feed the group with information and also new members who will cooperate in the future for the benefit of youth; c) connect the community to other stakeholders; add other young people to the community; d) create an international community of young workers oriented to educate and offer support to young people in the theme of entrepreneurship; e) create a gallery showing / explaining good and less good cases of starting or closing a business. 3) increase the entrepreneurial skills of 24 young workers: a) improve computer literacy and critical thinking as crucial to business success; b) show what kind of elements of the business plan are important to a young startup; c) insert in the CF and VE training on business planning, capital financing for the business, role of business consultants, dealing with micromanagement elements, etc. e) show how important it is to lobby and cooperate with public agencies to promote entrepreneurial youth initiatives.

Project partners (8)