SELF REGENERATE: Self-employment and English for Peripheral Regions Erasmus Project

Project Title

SELF REGENERATE: Self-employment and English for Peripheral Regions

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 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Labour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment; Regional dimension and cooperation; Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education

Project Summary

SELF-REGENERATE will equip VET institutions with an enterprise coaching methodology that enables their students to enter the business world fully equipped with the business and English skills to become successfully self-employed. By supporting the creation of an incubation programme in VET, students will become active economic players of the region – thus supporting the local development.

SELF-REGENERATE recognises that developing entrepreneurial competences and business English are two sides of the same coin. The need to develop entrepreneurial competences is urgent, as is set out by the EU’s EntreComp. As recognised by Eurostat (2012), we need to increase the entrepreneurial careers of young people. This can only be done by raising awareness of entrepreneurship, developing entrepreneurial competences and helping them set up an enterprise that is adequate to today’s markets. Moreover, it is recognised that no second language is a barrier to career progression and becoming a successful entrepreneur. Eurobarometer’s ‘Europeans and their Languages’ (2012) reported that one of the main motivating factors to learn a language is to improve career prospects and work abroad. However, language support is limited and costly for young people (Eurobarometer, 2012).

SELF-REGENERATE will achieve this by creating a practical methodology that combines the Bridge Model and business English. The Bridge Model is a structured method with 4 stages from pre-start up to a mature and sustainable business. This is based on BTF’s experience of supporting over 40 enterprises of different sectors and countries to become fully fledging enterprises. This methodology will be complemented by the improvement of students’ English. The ability to speak English is seen as a key to raise your career aspirations. It plays an important role in upskilling the students so that they can make their enterprises more sustainable and also become more employable.
This will result in a flexible methodology, allowing students to start at the stage they wish. It will be delivered by mentoring and/or independent student work.

These results will be achieved through the development of the following outputs and their targets:
O1 – SELF-REGENERATE Curriculum & Trainer’s Manual: the curriculum and how to implement manual that will equip Trainers to become expert start-up and business English coaches. 2 trainers will be trained during the pilot stage of this output. The manual’s will be part of the online platform and shared during the multiplier event so that more VET institutions can access the material.

O2 – SELF-REGENERATE Training Manual for Learners: Aimed for the students, this manual will enable them to become entrepreneurs that can revitalise their peripheral region. 20 students will receive business coaching during the pilot of this output. The manual’s will be part of the online platform and shared during the multiplier event so that more students can access the material from any background.

O3 – SELF-REGENERATE OER and Online Platform: An online platform where SELF-REGENERATE products with interactive learning material and handbooks will be downloadable. Moreover, it will also have an action platform encouraging peer support in English and Enterprise.

Multiplier Event: Final conference in each partner country

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 168720 Eur

Project Coordinator

STICHTING VOOR ALGEMEEN VOORGEZET ONDERWIJS, BEROEPSONDERWIJS EN VOLWASSENENEDUCATIE & Country: NL

Project Partners

• BRIDGING TO THE FUTURE LTD
• EUROPOS SOCIALINIS VERSLUMO UGDYMO IR INOVATYVIU STUDIJU INSTITUTAS
• JO CONSULTING SRL
• ACADEMY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP ASTIKI ETAIREIA
• FUNDACIÓN CENTRO REGIONAL EXTREMEÑO DE SERVICIOS EMPRESARIALES