JA Europe’s Post

Many have great ideas to create a better society, but not one organisation, institution or sector can solve our societal challenges alone. We need knowledge from the field, ideas from entrepreneurs, experience from institutions, networks and capital from the private sector and we need to be brave enough to step out of our box and explore new ways of doing things.   As we’re wrapping up our Erasmus funded project LOCAL-Y-MPACT that we’ve done together with our partners in Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus and Portugal, we’re able to gather a lot of information, learnings and new ideas that promote and strengthen cross-sector collaboration, especially between municipalities and local organisations and social enterprises. But there are insights and take-outs that are useful for all sorts of organisations in all sorts of situations when wanting to develop the organisation, try new ways or find new actors to explore development with.   Key take-outs highlight the importance of taking the time to research what it is you want to achieve, why and for whom. To be open to exploring what other actors might be doing similar work to see whether you can reach out, learn from each other and maybe team up, to create something bigger and better than if you’d go for it on your own.   Follow this link for more information as well as all useful reports, documents, tools and guides we’ve created throughout the project: https://lnkd.in/d8HB2UzF #socialentrepreneurship #socialinnovation #collaboration Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia (Latvijas Sociālās uzņēmējdarbības asociācija) Gerinorai.lt SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education

💡ERASMUS in FOCUS Update! 👏Last January saw the official meeting of the Erasmus Key Action 2 project in the field of VET take place in Malaga, Spain. ✅ Co-funded by the European Union, the “Intrapreneurship In The Social Economy Sector” Project is implemented within the framework of the European Programme Erasmus . ✅ The co-ordinator EFORT Foundation (Poland) and partners City of Dublin ETB (Ireland) and Tribeka Training Lab (Spain) will jointly address the issues of intrapreneurship (e.g. corporate entrepreneurship) promotion among the social sector entities. ✅ The project's main objective is to increase the competitiveness of the social economy sector by developing, testing and disseminating a competence model of social intrapreneurship for widespread use . The project supports, engages and integrates the communities of partners in educational activities for the social economy. ✅ The developed competency model of intrapreneurship will then be used in different dimensions and levels of education and VET training across Europe. 🌍 Stay tuned for the latest updates! #Erasmus ~FST VET #innovation #CreateYourFuture #CityofDublinETB

Take some time to read the reflections of Nate Sturcke, Ecosystem Lead at Spacecubed, following a trip of 40 WA delegates (including us!) to #Melbourne for the Global Entrepreneurship Network Congress in September this year. A healthy town, city, regional, and state economy is one that encourages and fosters entrepreneurship, without fear or limitation. This article explores how well WA stacks up against other ecosystems.

As WeRin project partners, we are delighted to share that we are in the pilot testing stage of the project! The piloting will fine-tune the WeRin Toolbox, WeRLearnin Approach, and WeRin Knowledge Port in order to create a more inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem both in academic and non-academic organisations. The target group of the "Breaking Barriers and Unlocking Horizons: Inclusive Entrepreneurship 101 WeRin Workshop" will be Entrepreneurship Educators, Entrepreneurship Programme Managers, Female Students, and Women Entrepreneurs. We will road-test the 6 WeRin Principles which are: ✅ 100% Inclusivity ✅ Relatable Role Models ✅ Realistic Picture of Entrepreneurship ✅ Opportunity Driven Entrepreneurship ✅ Inclusive Support and ✅ Finance and Structural Change in the Ecosystem These will be supported with activities, practical case studies, and rich materials designed specifically with the aim of inclusiveness of women entrepreneurs in the ecosystem. There will be valuable networking opportunities for the participants in the fire chat sessions with Mentors, Women Entrepreneurs, and Programme Managers from the ecosystem during the workshop. The "Breaking Barriers and Unlocking Horizons: Inclusive Entrepreneurship 101 WeRin Workshop" workshop will be held in October 2023 across five European regions including, Germany, Amsterdam, Turkey, Croatia, and Ireland. The workshop is designed as a journey that starts within the ordinary world, entrepreneurs will have an awareness of the call to change, meet with the mentors to bridge this change and open up to collaborators and networks, while also facing the barriers. The journey will end with having gained a new perspective. Istanbul Technical University (ITU) who will lead the piloting stage of the project will compile a final evaluation report of the "Breaking Barriers and Unlocking Horizons: Inclusive Entrepreneurship 101 WeRin Workshop" to be shared with the community. Stay tuned for more updates.      #werin #femalegraduateentrepreneurs #erasmusplus #knowledgealliance #inclusiveecosystems #MTU Helen McGuirk; Ana Cruz Garcia; Niall O'Leary; Rebecca Robinson; Sarah Davis; Fiacre Muller; George Bulman; Rubicon Centre; Dr. Sue Rossano-Rivero; FH Münster; Momentum Educate Innovate

🌟 Reflecting on a Day of Learning and Inspiration at the Ethnic Minority Innovators Grant Competition Seminar! 🌟 Yesterday, I had the privilege of participating in a transformative seminar organized by Queen's University Belfast, Go Succeed, MRANI, and Techstart Ventures. The event was a deep dive into the world of entrepreneurship, tailored to uplift and empower ethnic minority innovators like myself. Major Themes and Messages: Entrepreneurial Support: The conference highlighted the extensive support system available in Northern Ireland, from university programs to initiatives by Go Succeed that provide essential mentoring, funding, and networking opportunities. Inclusivity and Recognition: We celebrated the power of diversity with programs like the Mammoth Supercommission Awards, which recognize achievements across various ethnic backgrounds and sectors. Practical Advice: Seasoned entrepreneurs shared their journeys, offering actionable advice on leveraging local resources and the importance of adaptability in the entrepreneurial landscape. Networking and Idea Sharing: The event facilitated vibrant discussions, enabling participants to refine and enhance their business concepts through meaningful exchanges. Insights from Panel Discussion with James Ayo, Eileen Chan-Hu 陳愛蓮, and Azhar Murtuza: Evolution of Business Models: We explored how businesses can evolve to meet market demands and community needs, emphasizing flexibility and innovation. Challenges in Entrepreneurship: The panelists were candid about the obstacles they faced, from funding to institutional barriers, highlighting the critical role of resilience. Importance of Support Systems: A consistent theme was the indispensable role of networks and support systems in ensuring business success. Vision and Purpose: Maintaining a clear vision while adapting strategies was stressed as essential for long-term success. This seminar was not only an educational experience but also a profound reminder of the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit thriving within our community. A huge thank you to Queen's University Belfast, Go Succeed NI, Minorities Recognition Awards NI , and Techstart Ventures LLP for organising this enlightening event. #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #DiversityInBusiness #BusinessSupport #Networking #StartUpCulture

Last but not least, let's extend a warm welcome to our Swedish project partner, rounding out the Innovate Project consortium: CSES - Center för Socialt Entreprenörskap Sverige 🇸🇪 CSES - Center för Socialt Entreprenörskap Sverige is a Swedish organization dedicated to fostering and promoting #social #innovation and #entrepreneurship in Sweden and Europe. Since its establishment in 2011, the organization has offered #counseling and #coaching to over 650 individuals, with a significant proportion being women. Through a variety of activities such as lectures, courses, events, and feasibility studies, the organization has reached a wide network of individuals and organizations and has developed a comprehensive toolbox to support the development of social entrepreneurs. CSES - Center för Socialt Entreprenörskap Sverige has extensive experience in working on #European #projects, including those funded by the Erasmus program. As the lead partner in the KA204 project "Entrepreneurship for Everyone. New Ways of Coaching," it has demonstrated its expertise in promoting entrepreneurship for all. Additionally, the organization has been involved in several publicly-funded national projects that focus on social entrepreneurship, unemployment, and #social #impact bonds (SIB). Recognized by the City of Stockholm as an official partner in supporting new companies, CSES - Center för Socialt Entreprenörskap Sverige operates within a broad network of public, non-profit, higher education, innovation support, and private sectors. Its commitment to social entrepreneurship and sustainability is evident in its utilization of the SDG goals in its coaching of impact companies. Discover more here: https://www.cses.se #InnovateProject #Postseries #BusinessTransformation #EUProjects #Innovation die Berater Unternehmensberatungs GmbH CATRO Bulgaria Helsinki Business College Oy CARDET Orange Hill Syncnify

Education plays a pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurship. 🚀 . . . Yesterday, I attended a thought-provoking event at TheMerode organized by PULSE Foundation, Belgium's 40 under 40, and Itinera Institute vzw, dedicated to exploring entrepreneurship enablers in Belgium. Throughout the event, we delved into the findings of a study conducted by these three organizations, which outlined key recommendations for our political representatives: Boost: Shifting from a culture of subsidies to one of partnership, thereby empowering SMEs to compete effectively in public tenders. 💼 Enable: Introducing "regulatory sandboxes" to facilitate innovation within our regulatory frameworks. 🏗️ Educate: Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset through project-based learning in education. 🎓 The discussions and panels were insightful, reaffirming the critical role of education in nurturing entrepreneurial endeavors. However, I believe it's imperative that today's youth not only understand the concept of entrepreneurship but also receive practical guidance on how to navigate it in a manner aligned with the sustainable needs of our planet. 🌍 What are your thoughts on the significance of education in entrepreneurship? Thank you to Emmanuelle Ghislain for her contributions in making events like these possible! 🙏 #belgium #entrepreneurship #education #future #nextgeneration

This is a wee challenge to all my counterparts across all the tertiary providers in New Zealand. I have been speaking with María Belén Marín Vysokolán who is super keen to have New Zealand students involved in this. Please share this in your networks and lets get some Kiwi students amongst this amazing oppurtunity Attention entrepreneurship centers and entrepreneurs!   If you are looking for a life-changing journey filled with innovation, impact, and boundless possibilities? Well, look no further because the Hult Prize 2024 Challenge - "Unlimited" is calling out to the fearless student entrepreneurs of New Zealand! The Hult Prize is more than just a competition; it's an adventure that will ignite your entrepreneurial spirit and let your creativity run wild. Imagine having the power to change the world while having a blast with a team of like-minded, passionate individuals. You will have the opportunity to win US$ 1 Million in funding and make your idea a reality! Minimum requirements: A team with 3-5 student members present a for-profit business idea that is aligned with at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.   Ready to dive in?   Gather your dream-team: Made up of between 3-5 students. (only 1 of them is qualified to be from another university) Dream big!: All startups formed by students can compete regardless of the stage of your business. Claim your spot!: Pre-register your startup via this link: https://lnkd.in/gJiAZCug

🏆 Setting up a prize is a way to boost entrepreneurship, writes Business Leader which sees The Millennium Technology Prize as a totem that sets the bar for technological innovation, builds reputation, and attracts top talent. ”Finland has been running its Millennium Technology Prize every second year since 2004. The €1m prize is awarded to an individual who is working on tech solutions that promote the global good. Previous winners include the UK’s Tim Berners-Lee, for his work inventing the World Wide Web, and Professor Martin Green from Australia for his work in solar technology. The award is judged by a panel of experts appointed by academics at Technology Academy Finland and there is often a business dimension to the successful nominee’s work, underlying its real-world impact. While this initiative doesn’t directly benefit start-ups, it has historically received state support because it is seen as a totem that sets the bar for technological innovation nationally. It’s also designed to enhance Finland’s international reputation for science and tech innovation, making it easier to attract top talent to join its start-up community. And it’s meant to capture the imagination of young entrepreneurs, encouraging them to take STEM subjects.” 📰 Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/d57CAkDX #MillenniumTechnologyPrize #BusinessLeader #InnovationsForaBetterLife

"At 🔵🟡Entrepreneurship Opportunities Fair, we launched a new business incubation program for Ukrainian women. We see a growing trend in Lithuania where starting a business is becoming easier, thanks to community members who share their experience and advice. Through networking events, learning programs, and the business incubator, we aim to create a synergy for learning, making valuable contacts, and expanding markets," said Zivile Pauzaite, Quality Manager at 🟠Tech-Park Kaunas and representative of the business incubation program of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program BSI4Women. Tech-Park Kaunas collaborated with Ukreate Hub, Pabėgėlių Taryba - Refugee Council of Lithuania, and Foundation FRIDA to present business support tools and initiatives for aspiring entrepreneurs. Experts from Inovacijų agentūra, ChangeMakersON, Kaunas University of Technology, Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas Teisės klinika, Valstybinė mokesčių inspekcija, and Užimtumo tarnyba / Lithuanian Employment Service introduced their consultation services.  🎙️"Ukreate Hub empowered participants by showcasing business development tools and entrepreneurship programs, particularly relevant for those interested in launching ventures in Lithuania. Alumni who recently graduated from the business skills program exemplified this value. They are excited to transform their hobbies into businesses. For instance, Svitlana, who is starting her marshmallow business at the fair in Kaunas, not only solidified her brand but also gained valuable initial market feedback," said Kseniia Nezhyva, Project Manager of Ukreate Hub. "Business management practices and legal regulations are constantly changing as well, so it is important to stay updated with new knowledge and insights from experts who apply the latest entrepreneurial practices," Paulius Nezabitauskas, Director of Tech-Park Kaunas said. Read the story 🔗in the comments #entrepreneurship #incubationprogram #networking #kaunas