About the project
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Project overview
Youth unemployment has been on the rise in Europe due to the pandemic crisis, with an average rate of 18% among the EU countries in the previous months, creating new barriers and difficulties for young entrepreneurs and social enterprises. Importantly, there is a lack of knowledge, research, and necessary tools to help this transition in the youth sector. The challenges faced by the social entrepreneurs revolve around conveying their business ideas, cross-sector collaboration, financing and crowdfunding, government policies, maintaining quality, impact evaluation, competitive forces, and acquiring the technology.
In this regard, Social Enterprises’ sustainability/scalability is an ongoing challenge with several conflicts regarding the ideal formula toward this objective. Since this business model is expected to become an integral part of the economy of Europe in the subsequent years, the EMPOWER project aims at fostering sustainability and scalability of new and existing social enterprises and supporting young entrepreneurs through the development of new learning partnerships between the world of work and the world of youth provision. A big focus of the training material will be on the needs and opportunities for young people and young entrepreneurs to tackle challenges and identify problems to take advantage of opportunities
in emerging market communities. -
Aims + Objectives
AIM
The EMPOWER project aims at fostering sustainability and scalability of new and existing social enterprises and supporting young entrepreneurs through the development of new learning partnerships between the world of work and the world of youth provision.
OBJECTIVES
- Build the capacity of front-line youth workers through a tailored Training Package.
- Support social enterprises owners, SMEs owners and young entrepreneurs through bespoke training material.
- Improve the digital entrepreneurship competences of young entrepreneurs and young people.
- Develop a broad set of knowledge, skills, attitudes tailored to the needs of young people and young entrepreneurs.
- Enhance synergies and complementarities among key stakeholders and the labor market.
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Methodology
The methodology of the EMPOWER material combines authentic learning, peer support, digital literacy, use of IT tools and study visits. Training content features among others: digital entrepreneurship, contemporary innovative methods with the use of digital tools, use of the EMPOWER experience, skills assessment, recognition and validation tools and procedures, tailored coaching/counseling methodologies, tools to boost self-efficacy and motivation, job-seeking, orientation and self-marketing techniques, especially in the field of the Digital Market.
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Partners
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Youth unemployment has been on the rise in Europe due to the pandemic crisis, with an average rate of 18% among the EU countries in the previous months, creating new barriers and difficulties for young entrepreneurs and social enterprises. Importantly, there is a lack of knowledge, research, and necessary tools to help this transition in the youth sector. The challenges faced by the social entrepreneurs revolve around conveying their business ideas, cross-sector collaboration, financing and crowdfunding, government policies, maintaining quality, impact evaluation, competitive forces, and acquiring the technology.
In this regard, Social Enterprises’ sustainability/scalability is an ongoing challenge with several conflicts regarding the ideal formula toward this objective. Since this business model is expected to become an integral part of the economy of Europe in the subsequent years, the EMPOWER project aims at fostering sustainability and scalability of new and existing social
enterprises and supporting young entrepreneurs through the development of new learning partnerships between the world of work and the world of youth provision. A big focus of the training material will be on the needs and opportunities for young people and young entrepreneurs to tackle challenges and identify problems to take advantage of opportunities
in emerging market communities. -
AIM
The EMPOWER project aims at fostering sustainability and scalability of new and existing social enterprises and supporting young entrepreneurs through the development of new learning partnerships between the world of work and the world of youth provision.
OBJECTIVES
- Build the capacity of front-line youth workers through a tailored Training Package.
Support social enterprises owners, SMEs owners and young entrepreneurs through bespoke training material.
Improve the digital entrepreneurship competences of young entrepreneurs and young people.
Develop a broad set of knowledge, skills, attitudes tailored to the needs of young people and young entrepreneurs.
Enhance synergies and complementarities among key stakeholders and the labor market.
- Build the capacity of front-line youth workers through a tailored Training Package.
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The methodology of the EMPOWER material combines authentic learning, peer support, digital literacy, use of IT tools and study visits. Training content features among others: digital entrepreneurship, contemporary
innovative methods with the use of digital tools, use of the EMPOWER experience, skills assessment, recognition and validation tools and procedures, tailored coaching/counseling methodologies, tools to boost self-efficacy and motivation, job-seeking, orientation and self-marketing techniques, especially in the field of the Digital Market. -
BRCCI – Bulgarian- Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRCCI) is a non-profit private association of companies interested to develop their business in Bulgaria and/or Romania. The Chamber has the resources and experience to assist with information, advice and market consultations all companies aiming at developing business in Bulgaria and Romania. BRCCI implements numerous activities and projects in the fields of promoting entrepreneurship, vocational education and training, youth support, tourism, environment protection, innovation for SMEs, bio-energy, IWT. The Chamber provides market studies, research activities, analysis of sectors with potential for development, tailor-made services and mediation for the presentation of Bulgarian business in Romania and Romanian in Bulgaria through specialised trade missions, network events, training and seminars on current topics of economic life, participation in exhibitions and many other. Together with institutions and international organisations, capacity has been built in joint projects for the exchange of experience and cooperation on topics of mutual interest related to the development of the Danube region. BRCCI leading goal is to provide added value to the member companies and to all entities who are interested to develop their business in the two fastest growing EU markets.
CARDET – Centre for Advancement of Research and Development in Educational Technology
CARDET (Centre for Advancement of Research and Development in Educational Technology) an independent, non-profit, non-governmental, research and development organization based in Cyprus. It is one of the leading research and development centres in the Euro-Mediterranean region, with global expertise in project design and implementation, capacity building, and e-learning. CARDET is independently affiliated with universities and institutions from around the world, such as Yale University, the University of Nicosia and the International Council of Educational Media. CARDET has completed numerous projects relating to the development of capacity building and planning in education and VET, youth support, adult learning, literacies, digital tools, eLearning, educational technology, and social integration of marginalized groups and seniors.
Future In Perspective Ltd
Future In Perspective Ltd. is a private company based in the border region of Ireland specializing in the areas of education and e-learning, media production, strategic planning and business development and evaluation. Through our work on national and EU funded projects, we have engaged and supported local groups, migrant communities, older persons, and individuals who have been absent from education to re-engage with service providers and mainstream education and training offerings. We also have expertise in supporting businesses in niche markets such as the creative, cultural, social, and green sectors to develop sustainable business models. In addition, we collaborate with key stakeholders to deliver a range of diverse programmes in the areas of media production, digitalization, career guidance and mentoring, entrepreneurship, inclusion and diversity.
KMOP – Social Action and Innovation Centre
KMOP – Social Action and Innovation Centre is a non-profit organisation based in Athens, Greece, with more than 40 years of experience in the sustainable development, social growth, human rights protection, social inclusion and policy research. KMOP has wide expertise in social welfare, social entrepreneurship and employment, health care system and human rights protection, scientific research and the development of know-how in social policy issues. KMOP as a leading Social Action and innovation Centre works with major actors in the public and private sectors, as well as with civil society to drive solution-oriented, knowledge-based interventions that are essential for fostering people’s resilience. It is involved in both national and EU/international projects addressing social issues focusing on capacity building and promotion of the rights of low-skilled youth and long-term unemployed, empowerment, migration, minorities’ rights, victims of violence and trafficking, victims of bullying, elderly and disabled.
SERN – SWEDEN EMILIA ROMAGNA NETWORK
SERN is one of the main transnational networks in Europe fostering relations between Northern and Southern Europe and in particular between Sweden and Italy. As a non-profit transnational association, SERN has three characteristics that makes it unique:
It is the only bilateral network in the European union that brings together actors from the Northern and Southern states. It is a multilevel network where different levels of government interact and collaborate. It is open to civil society and to private actors. Since its creation, the network developed more than 130 projects at European level and is driving a continuous process of exchange and cooperation between Swedes and Italians. A cooperation that, with the new strategy, will continue in the next seven years towards more inclusive communities, crucial for a sustainable European integration, through services for vulnerable groups, active citizenship and quality education. Communities that are also digitalized with open and efficient public administrations and digital skills for all; that are green and sustainable, focusing on actions to reduce vulnerability to the effects of climate change, to enhance sustainable tourism and smart mobility.Innovade LI LTD, Cyprus
INNOVADE LI is an SME based in Cyprus, with a team of professionals with several years of experience in strategic visioning, business development, social entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, and academic industries. Its goal is to assist clients to define and attain their Strategic Goals and achieve their operational objectives by providing an unparalleled level of expert support. INNOVADE LI works with organizations to help them streamline technological advancements and productivity tools into their processes to ensure that they improve performance, and increase their productivity and profitability.
Mindshift Talent Advisory
Mindshift is a consulting company specialised in Human Resources that invests in the performance and upskilling of people’s competences, seeking to boost the digital and interpersonal maturity in organisations and society. At national level, MINDSHIFT has as one of its main partners The Key Talent Portugal, a HR Tech Consulting specialised in Social Attraction and Talent Assessment that develops platforms, such as Panorama and AplyGo, that allow to optimise, implement and manage digital, agile and attractive HR processes based on data analysis.
At European level, we are a strategic partner for the development of transnational cooperation projects aiming to create innovative solutions in the area of youth and adult training, in six key-areas: upskilling & reskilling, inclusion & employability, sustainable development, women empowerment, entrepreneurship & creativity, and digital talent.
Mindshift is strongly committed to the principles of Social Responsibility and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, bringing together a team of staff with various backgrounds and professional experience
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Project Number: 2021-1-BG01-KA220-YOU-000029024