From the outset, GENIE had the very clear and concrete objective of "contributing to the competitiveness, growth and innovation of MSMEs through the development of innovative training tools, solutions and content". This overarching goal of the project was then broken down into specific objectives: - Improve VET provision with innovative content for entrepreneurship development - developing new solutions for vocational education and training, including a gamification approach - Improve the involvement of MSME employees in the growth and competitive prospects of companies - improving work-based learning opportunities for people already in employment and for new entrants to the labour market through jobs in MSMEs GENIE should and has become a gamification and intrapreneurship inspired project for improved VET solutions to support the competitiveness of micro-enterprises. GENIE has a strong gamification component, but not in the "traditional" sense of gamification. The GENIE approach to gamification is based on the concept of an innovative human resource management model that encourages employees to come together and experiment with innovative teamwork techniques that culminate in intrapreneurship.
A major obstacle undermining the innovation capacity of MSMEs (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises) in the EU is the inability to stimulate, mobilize and exploit the talent and innovation capacities available within the company. This is usually related to the lack of capacity and tools for MSME management and employees to overcome traditional mindsets and unleash the potential of "open innovation". MSMEs are still anchored in old-fashioned models where entrepreneurs/managers lead and employees/workers execute. GENIE was developed as an innovative project that develops training and tools to promote intrapreneurship in MSMEs. Intrapreneurship has the potential to involve and engage employees and management in MSMEs to develop new ideas, business and management processes, products and services that support innovation, competitiveness and growth of MSMEs. Intrapreneurship can be instrumental in shaping profound internal change to engage and empower people in the organization to be more resilient, sustainable and innovative.