Inclusive Business Launch Pad – An Accelerator Programme for Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs in Microbusinesses Erasmus Project

Project Title

Inclusive Business Launch Pad – An Accelerator Programme for Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs in Microbusinesses

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Enterprise, industry and SMEs (incl. entrepreneurship); Labour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment; Gender equality / equal opportunities

Project Summary

Inclusive Business Launch Pad is a consortium of 6 partners all committed to promoting equal opportunities in entrepreneurship.
The project will develop an innovative training programme for disadvantaged entrepreneurs who run microbusinesses across Europe who are facing extra challenges to growing and running their business. This could include, but is not limited to, migrants, people with disabilities, lone parents, 50+ individuals and women who are currently under-represented in businesses across the EU.
It aims to develop interventions which can aid EU citizens from the target group, in microbusinesses, to access training and group support that will further grow and enhance their ability to innovate and expand business ideas, export opportunities across the EU and beyond.
It responds directly to the contemporary European context, as according to The Annual Report on European SMEs 2018/2019 it is suggested: ‘in 2018, there were slightly more than 25 million SMEs in the EU-28, of which 93% were micro-SMEs. SMEs accounted for 99.8% of all enterprises in the EU-28 non-financial business sector (NFBS), generating 56.4% of value added and 66.6% of employment in the NFBS’ (2019 p11). The forecasts in spring 2019 were strong, however recently the outlook is not as strongly predictive of growth and SME value added is expected to be revised downwards in the current climate. In light of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, this outlook is set to become even more bleak and, once the crisis is over, governments will be seeking ways to stimulate growth in the economy, something with which SMEs could greatly contribute to. SMEs account for most of the increase in value added (60%). Microbusinesses generated 28.5% of this increase (2019 p11). Employment figures increased in all EU member states in 2018 and microbusinesses were largely responsible for this growth, hence their continued success and growth are vital to local economies. However, there are considerable differences in microbusiness growth and innovation across the EU member states. Funding for business support has declined over recent years in many EU countries and gaps in educational provision exist, particularly for those living with disadvantage and exclusion. Therefore it is essential that we provide as much support as possible for these enterprises.
With this in mind, the project will develop a new training programme, specifically tailored to the needs of the target group which will be delivered alongside action learning groups which will support participants to put learning into action and take positive steps towards achieving business growth. This will be supported through the provision of an Online Business Launch Pad, a platform which will provide access to a range of resources and will also be accessible to a wider group of users to access project resources in countries outside of the partnership and over a longer term (5 years following the end of the initial funding period).
Over the course of the project, we will engage with approximately 3000 individuals, including 500 disadvantaged entrepreneurs and 2500 wider stakeholders (Employment agencies, HR managers, recruiter, trainers/coaches, business support organisations).
In order to reach our objectives, we will develop a range of Outputs:
IO1: Creating an Inclusive Business delivery for Microbusinesses: A Framework Report. A report aimed at policy makers and stakeholders to support innovation in the delivery of the services business agencies could potentially offer.
IO2: Accelerator Business Launch Pad Training Programme: 5 modules that will focus on change management, business diagnosis and modelling, developing a brand and developing action plans.
IO3: Business Launch Pad Circles: Based on the principle of Action Learning, these groups will provide small scale, peer support groups to help participants in the delivery of their action plans for growth.
IO4: The Online Business Launch Pad: An online platform to provide access to all the project resources as well as a wide range of tools and exercises to support users to grow their business.
The main areas of impact which we will see through the project are:
A direct impact on the lives of the disadvantaged entrepreneurs who directly take part in the project, in terms of enabling them to take concrete and positive steps towards developing and growing their businesses.
An improved knowledge among disadvantaged entrepreneurs of key business theory and processes and tools for increasing productivity in their businesses.
An improved knowledge among stakeholders of the needs of disadvantaged entrepreneurs in their local areas.
Increased access to VET opportunities amongst the target group
Increased links between entrepreneurs, stakeholders and policy makers within local communities and across the EU.
Over the longer term, we would hope that the project will contribute towards increased growth in SMEs within partner areas and potentially further afield.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 316039 Eur

Project Coordinator

INOVA CONSULTANCY LTD & Country: UK

Project Partners

• The Consultancy Academy Ltd
• Inova Aspire B.V.
• CSI CENTER FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION LTD
• FH JOANNEUM GESELLSCHAFT MBH
• Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg Megyei Kereskedelmi és Iparkamara