Our main objective was to develop a comprehensive and accessible training programme on community entrepreneurship and civic crowdfunding, supported by a dedicated digital platform. We aimed to equip community members and aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills to create and finance projects that improve their local contexts. The project also sought to increase cooperation among trainers, experts, and stakeholders across Europe, to promote inclusive innovation, build local capacity, and make crowdfunding a viable, community-driven tool for social change.
We applied for the GrowthFundMe project to address a gap in access to entrepreneurial training and financing tools for individuals from underserved or underrepresented communities. Civic crowdfunding remains underdeveloped in many EU countries, yet offers strong potential to promote inclusive entrepreneurship. Many community-based entrepreneurs lack the skills, knowledge, and platforms to transform ideas into action. By linking training on community entrepreneurship with a civic crowdfunding platform, we aimed to empower local changemakers to mobilize resources and build projects that contribute to sustainable, inclusive growth.