The desired impact of this project was to nurture a new generation of Public Entrepreneurs who actively implement the learning materials provided by this project in order to respond to complex socio-economic challenges in their respective region. All activities undertaken in the public:START project taken together have successfully created the conditions for this vision to come true. Now, an innovative on-the-job learning tool that conveys much needed knowledge and competencies is readily available for many hundreds of regional stakeholders. What is more, the developed Public Entrepreneurship Digital Learning Programme supports teachers and trainers to integrate the public:START learning materials in their courses and seminars. Taken together, both tools will unfold a lasting positive impact on the public sector’s capacity to manage complex challenges. The prerequisite for this is, of course, that it is ensured that the developed resources accumulate a critical user base.
In recent years, a growing body of experts emphasizes the public sector’s innovation potential against the backdrop of complex societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, migration, poverty and many more. “While there is a growing body of evidence on innovative practices in the public sector, there is still limited knowledge of what tools governments can use to overcome innovation barriers and strengthen organisations’ capacity to innovate” (OECD 2017, 16). This very need is addressed by the public:START project. While there are many digital learning materials on related subjects such as (social) entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, project management etc., few to none were tailored for public sector staff specifically. The lack of target-group-specific educational offers is a hindrance especially for small and medium-sized municipalities to act as agents of change within regional systems.