The original wording of the key competence:
‘Entrepreneurship competence refers to the capacity to act upon opportunities and ideas, and to transform them into values for others. It is founded upon creativity, critical thinking and problem solving, taking initiative and perseverance and the ability to work collaboratively in order to plan and manage projects that are of cultural, social or financial value.’
Suggestions for use in European youth programmes:
Projects realised within European youth programmes are about turning ideas into action, about being creative, and trying out new things that might be risky sometimes. The project has to be managed and takes place in different contexts. Young people have different possibilities to develop talents, discover passions, try out new tasks and roles and get inspired to turn new ideas and plans into action. In a volunteering project, if a volunteer wishes, s/he might be responsable for the planning, preparation, management and evaluation of different activities. It is possible to look at the creation of new projects and initiatives involving young people as a form of social entrepreneurship.
Questions that can help participants to reflect:
- Which interests, passions and talents did you develop during the project?
- What stimulates you to take action? How do you make ideas become a reality?
- What values are important for you when you work with others?
- Which ideas did you put into action during the project? How do you feel about it?
- In which part of the project could you express your creativity and be innovative?
- How and from which situations did you learn about ‘taking the initiative’ and ‘being active’?
- What did you learn about project management, action planning, teamwork and cooperation, taking risks, creativity and flexibility?
- How do you feel about taking initiative? How is it to follow others?
- What values are important for you when you work with others?
- Do you think of yourself as a creative and innovative person? In what way?
- Which projects and experiences can you use for your future personal and professional development?
- What else would you like to learn in this area?