Final report - European Commission - Europa

Making a systematic use of student companies and activities based on project workSTUDENT COMPANY PROGRAMME “EMPRESA JOVEN EUROPEA”Iván Diego Rodríguez, Valnalón Ciudad Tecnológica, Principality of Asturias, Spain.The government of the Principality of Asturias is currently at the forefront of the promotion of entrepreneurship educationin Spain. It has set up an ambitious and extensive plan known as “Plan de Fomento de la CulturaEmprendedora” (Plan for the promotion of entrepreneurship). The plan includes a set of actions focused on all levelsof the education system and allocates an annual budget until 2008. Proper funding and even more importantly, amedium-to-long term vision and strategy by public authorities, are critical factors of success in this particular case.So far, Empresa Joven Europea (European Junior Enterprise) represents the first mini-company program to be includedin the curricular framework of secondary education in Spain. As a consequence, regional and national authoritieshave shown an interest in this pioneer experience. Some of these contacts bore fruit and have led to implementationagreements with public authorities from other regions such as Basque Country, Andalusia & Canary Islands.From its very beginning, students and teachers have been considered as the main actors in this particular project.Subsequently, a set of teaching resources were designed in order to facilitate implementation in the classroom.Books are delivered at no cost at the beginning of every school year. Moreover, additional support measures areincluded in the pack: On-site and online training courses, additional teaching resources online and a 24/7 helplineservice are highly valued by teachers and mini-companies alike when facing such a challenging task.Undoubtedly word-of-mouth among teachers and students represents the best marketing tool for the project. On theother hand low dropout rates among participant schools and a continuous increase in the number of schools joiningthe project may well indicate that we are in the right track.The involvement of external stakeholders both from the public and private sector are proving crucial to widen thearray of viewpoints and expertise as concerns the project. City councils, banks, local suppliers and other institutionslend a helping hand to mini-companies whenever needed.Yet major challenges to entrepreneurship education remain to be overcome mainly as regards the following aspects:rigidness of framework curricula, excessively tight school routines and above all, popular misconceptions about theworld of business deeply ingrained in all levels of society and particularly in the world of education.As regards Empresa Joven Europea, there is still considerable room for improvement and all stakeholders involvedshould have a say. However, the goals accomplished so far with this particular strategy will surely inspire others andpave the way for further action in the field of education for enterprise.24Entrepreneurship Education in Europe: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets through Education and Learning