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Growing Business

2019-3-DE04-KA105-0188662019Youth mobilityfinalized
Countries: DE|MD|NO|GE|AM|UA|IT|ES · Grant: €27,339.5
Agriculture, forestry and fisheriesEntrepreneurial learning - entrepreneurship educationLabour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment

Objectives

The “Growing Business” youth exchange was specifically designed to expand career opportunities of young people and to contribute to the alleviation of youth unemployment. For this purpose, two promising fields – entrepreneurship and sustainable agriculture were merged into one complex topic. Hereby, within the scopes of the implemented project, participants were able to learn about the massive potential of sustainable agriculture from the business perspective and also explore possible positive effects in respect of rural development. The project hereby not only had an aim to improve the chances of the participants in finding employment but also opened for them new horizons for realisation of independent entrepreneurial initiatives. The participants were provided with a great range of competences and skills in topical disciplines, including sustainable plant growing technics, irrigation and water management practices, plant nutrition and pest control as well as step-by-step business planning, funding, risk management, etc. These essential capacities were delivered during learning sessions which were also complemented by practical activities and workshops. To give a better insight and seal the obtained knowledge several open-air educational trips were organised. The most noteworthy were the visits to Ecovillage, sustainable farms and greenhouses as well as to the regional markets. Hereby, a comprehensive set of assets was offered, thus achieving a higher level of project integrity. The project was based on the methods of non-formal education and learning with a wide use of relevant instruments throughout all activities. By these means the initial objectives of the project were successfully met. They were as follows: – Impart competences and vital skills related to sustainable agriculture and its separate components – Develop sound understanding of small-scale entrepreneurship in the field of sustainable agriculture and reveal its potential benefits and impact on individual and community – Present comprehensive roadmaps for outlining, planning and stepwise implementation of field-related business initiatives – Introduce Erasmus+ Programme, its objectives and tools. Improve awareness about various EU programmes and funds intended for the fields of sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship as well as rural development – Provide a platform for active peer learning and cultural exchange among participants. The cultural component of the “Growing Business” project was meticulously planned to stimulate the exchange among participants from different groups and to intensify the interpersonal contacts. EU values and goals were strongly accentuated and advocated, helping young people to perceive their purpose. As a result, it became possible to build bridges of mutual understanding and develop reciprocal respect. Through systematic work participants managed to overcome cultural barriers, value their peers of different nationalities and accept the entire gamut of cultures, religions, orientations, lifestyles and visions.

Project partners (8)