Ideas into Action – Entrepreneurship for youth workers based on local economy needs Erasmus Project

Project Title

Ideas into Action – Entrepreneurship for youth workers based on local economy needs

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 youth

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2014

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Labour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment; Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education; Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy)

Project Summary

The Ideas into Action project was borne from the rationale that Across the EU, we recognised that the health, sustainability and competitive edge of our economies depended on our young people (YP) having ideas and setting up businesses successfully. This understanding was transposed in the EU economic strategy “Europe 2020” and embedded within the detail of its various flagship Initiatives. However, this recognition was set within a context where EU’s performance in successfully fostering the entrepreneurial spirit of its YP lags behind the optimum and endangers us in comparison to some of our global competitors. It is also the case that comparative performance of member states & their regions in this regard is variable across Europe, suggesting significant scope for learning from each other and for spreading best practice across the EU

Across the EU, there are a plethora of initiatives operating at transnational, national, regional and even local levels. Whilst the volume of activity is good, there are concerns that the landscape of provision is too complex, and that many “all-age” initiatives in relation to entrepreneurship are not suitable for YP. This project seeks to address these challenges by exploring all the factors above & developing practical, youth-friendly solutions towards a stronger & more equitable service by capturing, nurturing & capitalising on YPs entrepreneurial spirits

Project objectives
• For partners to learn from, and with each other;
• To instill, foster & support a spirit of entrepreneurship in YP, through development of effective frameworks & training tools for YP and those who work with them;
• To empower YP – especially those at possible risk of exclusion from the labour market – with the skills & tools to relate to their own world & to contribute to the sustainable growth of the local economy

In addition the main need to address was for empowerment of YP / Youth workers in a range of non-formal areas to improve their personal skills to help them succeed in life, business & take control of their future. The project addressed other EU priority needs such as; improving digital skills of YP, encouraging use of OER and providing open & flexible learning; improving capabilities & knowledge exchange between actors in members states, including in practical application of ICT as an educational resource. Making resources available in Romanian, Slovakian, Lithuanian, Dutch & Italian addresses the need to produce OER in diverse European languages.

The partnership initially consisted of seven partners representing six countries,:UK, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia & Netherlands. (However, due to unforeseen circumstances the Italian partners had to withdraw at the half way stage)

Each partner had unique skills and experience of working with YP. Some partners had extensive experience whilst one partner has not been involved in EU projects previously.

The applicant was a UK VET, Further Education College, focusing on vocational training for the 16-19 age group. The second UK partner was a social enterprise with extensive experience in evaluation and quality assurance. The Italian partner had extensive experience of EU projects and specialised in Quality systems in Engineering. The Lithuanian partner, worked with youth internships. The Romanian partner had extensive experience of soft skills development and employability skills in YP.
The Slovakian partner’s expertise was in facilitating intensive international youth experiences which focus on team working and entrepreneurship skills, while the Netherlands partner had experience including guiding new entrepreneurs from a social security situation towards their own enterprise.

The project activities consisted of national ‘State of the Art’ research, amalgamated to form an international comparison report. Then using this, the development of a training course framework for Youth Workers & Young People, with a section on how to localise its content to focus training on local economic needs. The training course includes technologies which appeal to YP, interaction with other partner groups, physically and virtually. Development and presentation of entrepreneurial ideas (individually or in small groups) to panels of experts and with remote Peer group evaluation. Two sets of training piloted the course to Youth Workers, who cascaded on to YP. A Moodle platform was developed to host various activities, and a two day Intensive Training Session and Blended Training package was be delivered to Youth workers.

As well as standard methods of dissemination, five Multiplier events took place, one held in each partner country.

Results and impact include 50+ Youth workers trained and 280+ YP cascaded to and involved in online activities. The partners also aimed to engage other local and regional organisations, young people are now more empowered, with essential skills to establish commercial and social enterprises with a mindset to succeed.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 265792 Eur

Project Coordinator

Lancaster and Morecambe College & Country: UK

Project Partners

• OBCIANSKE ZDRUZENIE KERIC
• MI GEN CIC
• VsI Inovaciju biuras
• De Plannenmakers
• ISER SRL Integrated Services Engineering & Research
• FUNDATIA PROFESSIONAL