Final report - European Commission - Europa

NATIONAL ANNUAL COMPETITION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIPKostas Katsogiannos, Special Authority Unit for the Operational Programme in Education,GreeceStudents from Higher education institutes and from postsecondary institutes (Vocational education training Centers)– mostly graduates – participate on a voluntary basis, as individuals or teams, and compete with other similar groupsin a National competition. The first stage of the competition awards the best business ideas, while the second oneawards the best business plans. A Committee consisting of professors, executives from successful market companies,businessmen, representatives from federations of companies, local authorities etc. select the best ideas notonly on an educational basis, but also regarding the feasibility of the idea to become a real business.The whole project is co-funded by the Greek Government and the European Social Fund, under the OperationalProgramme for Education in Greece (2000-2006). The Greek Ministry for Development, under the OperationalProgramme for “Competitiveness”, offers a chance to the winners of this competition to receive a subsidy (70% oftheir business plan’s budget) in order to realize their business idea. Companies also offer prizes to the winners of thecompetition (computers or money).Two different Operational Programmes of the 3rd Community Support Framework co-operate in order to promoteyoung entrepreneurship in Greek students.Responsible organisationsMinistry of Education and Religious Affairs - Managing Authority O.P for Education; Ministry for Development -Managing Authority O.P. for “Competitiveness”.ParticipantsHigher Education Institutes, successful business executives, Business Associations, financial and Venture capitalistrepresentatives, local authorities.BeneficiariesStudents in Higher education from all University departments, students from postsecondary initial Vocational traininginstitutes (IEK).Factors of successRepresentatives from national business organizations involved in the competition procedure from the first stage.Famous entrepreneurs and consultants are invited to inspire the participants and to transfer ideas and good practicesin a way to promote and diffuse entrepreneurship culture and behavior in our educational system.Successful synergy and added value within the O.P for Education (EPEAEK) and O.P “Competitiveness”.A close and successful cooperation between Ministry for Education and Ministry for Development has been established,not only for the purpose of this competition, but also in the framework of a National planned competition forstudents in secondary education, regarding competitiveness, entrepreneurship action in education, technical andinnovation spirit.70Entrepreneurship Education in Europe: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets through Education and Learning