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Reaching Out, Creating Knowledge, and Empowering Tomorrow's Upcoming Entrepreneurs

2024-1-AT01-KA152-YOU-0002196692024Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: AT|HR|BA|PT · Grant: €35,710
Digital skills and competencesEntrepreneurial learning - entrepreneurship educationKey competences development

Objectives

The “ROCKET-UP!” project was designed as a targeted response to the growing importance of digital entrepreneurship in the evolving European and global economy. In a context where traditional employment pathways are shifting and technological innovation is reshaping the labour market, the project aimed to prepare young people to not only adapt but actively participate in shaping the digital future. By focusing on key entrepreneurial skills, the project empowered participants to take initiative, turn their ideas into action, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the wider European innovation landscape. Through this initiative, young participants from Austria, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Portugal engaged in a structured, non-formal learning process that encouraged creativity, intercultural exchange, and collaborative problem-solving. The youth exchange provided a space where participants aged 18–30 could deepen their understanding of digital entrepreneurship, strengthen their communication and leadership skills, and build sustainable connections across borders. The overarching goal was to help young people acquire the confidence and practical tools needed to develop digital business ideas—from concept to pitch. The project focused on a wide range of themes including business modelling, marketing, storytelling, fundraising, and digital strategy. Participants were introduced to entrepreneurial thinking not just as a career path but as a mindset grounded in innovation, adaptability, and resilience. Several specific objectives shaped the project’s structure: Cultivate a culture of digital innovation, where participants were challenged to generate original ideas and develop practical solutions with real-world application. Enhance soft skills such as public speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking through dynamic workshops and daily group interactions. Strengthen digital competences by equipping participants with marketing knowledge, platform strategies, and content creation skills. Provide exposure to entrepreneurial ecosystems and funding options to demystify access to financial support for startups. Encourage intercultural learning and dialogue, enabling participants to reflect on how different social and economic contexts influence entrepreneurship. Foster long-term collaboration among young people and youth organizations through a dedicated alumni network and follow-up digital activities. The project placed great importance on continuity beyond the youth exchange. Participants were encouraged to share their knowledge with peers through online storytelling, social media engagement, and interviews with local entrepreneurs. These activities contributed to raising awareness about the potential of digital entrepreneurship in diverse local contexts and demonstrated how Erasmus+ mobility experiences can generate long-term ripple effects. By promoting active citizenship, digital transformation, and inclusive participation in the knowledge economy, the ROCKET-UP! project directly supported the objectives of the Erasmus+ Programme and the priorities of the European Youth Strategy. It also reinforced the role of youth work in fostering lifelong learning, cross-cultural cooperation, and empowerment through non-formal education. In summary, this project achieved its goal of offering young people a meaningful opportunity to strengthen their entrepreneurial potential, broaden their European perspective, and become drivers of innovation and positive change. It laid a solid foundation for future cooperation between participating organisations and for the development of new youth-led digital initiatives.

Project partners (4)