Project Code: 2022-3-PL01-KA152-YOU-000095261
Hosting organization: LEVEL UP Association, Lutomiersk, Poland
Dates: 09.04.2024 – 16.04.2024
From 9th – 16th April 2024, the picturesque town of Lutomiersk, Poland, played host to an inspiring youth exchange program, “Become Young Entrepreneur,” funded by the Erasmus+ program. This dynamic event brought together 32 eager participants from Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Turkey, all ready to dive into the world of entrepreneurship with a focus on sustainable development and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among young people.
Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
In a rapidly evolving job market, traditional employment opportunities with permanent and open-ended contracts are becoming increasingly scarce, particularly for young people. These stable positions are now largely confined to the public sector and large corporations. The shift in desired competencies, qualifications, work routines, and organizational cultures has created a new dynamic in the 21st-century workplace.
Despite these changes, educational institutions have largely failed to equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate and thrive in this modern business landscape. Our research on “Entrepreneur as a Career Path” highlights that individuals aged 18 to 25 often lack exposure to and understanding of entrepreneurship, leaving them unprepared to consider it as a viable career option.
To address this gap, our project aims to empower 24 young people from six countries by providing them with the opportunity to explore and learn about the entrepreneurial lifestyle. This initiative will help them discover their strengths and determine if the business world is right for them, ultimately offering a proactive solution to youth unemployment. By fostering entrepreneurial skills and mindsets, we hope to inspire the next generation of innovators and business leaders.
Project objectives
- Understand the risks, challenges, potential, and impact of their ideas on entrepreneurship.
- Encourage young people to consider entrepreneurship as one of the work options.
- Introducing the economy of the common good and sustainable business.
- Offer a space for intercultural integration, promoting a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and greater understanding.
- Gain useful knowledge about the foreign labor market.
- Offer the opportunity to implement communication in a foreign language (English).
- Promote youth mobility at the European level and support people with fewer opportunities.
An International Learning Experience
The youth exchange was organized by the LEVEL UP Association, in partnership with notable organizations including “Extramus” Experience Travel Erasmus APS, Active Green Solutions, Associacio Cultura Creativa, Uluslararası Bambu Eğitim Derneği, and Tudatos Tervezésért Egyesület. This collaboration ensured a rich blend of cultures and perspectives, enhancing the learning experience for all participants.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in a variety of activities designed to develop their entrepreneurial skills and broaden their understanding of sustainable business practices. Key workshops introduced practical methods such as Pecha Kucha, Ikigai, Meta tools, and accurate SWOT analysis, providing participants with valuable tools to craft their business projects.
Highlights of the Exchange
Team Building and Cultural Exchange (Overview of Activities for the First Day of the Youth Exchange Program)
The program begins with a formal presentation of mobility, where participants are introduced to the topic, staff, and venue. This session provided an overview of the youth exchange program, ensuring everyone was familiar with the key details and objectives.
Following this, participants engaged in ice-breaking activities through a name game, facilitating introductions and helping everyone get to know each other. This session also established the ground rules for the program and created a foundation for a respectful and collaborative environment.
Next, the group participated in a workshop to discuss their expectations, fears, and contributions. This activity was designed to build a sense of community and mutual understanding among the participants.
Additionally, an information session is conducted to unveil the opportunities provided by Erasmus+ and the Youthpass certificate, highlighting the benefits and possibilities available through these initiatives. A vibrant cultural evening allowed participants to share and celebrate their diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and mutual respect.
Entrepreneurial Insights
Visits to local startups(OPUS (Twój Startup) + biznes prezentation) offered firsthand insights into the challenges and successes of running a business. Participants had the unique opportunity to interact with entrepreneurs, gaining practical knowledge and inspiration.
City Game in Łódź (HR workshop)
A city-wide interactive game focusing on human resources skills, including creating integration events and crafting effective CVs, provided a fun yet educational experience.
Workshops and Presentations
There were various workshops on topics like Trust and team building workshop (Hungary). The Activities were designed to build trust and teamwork among participants. Italian partners EXTRAMUS led an engaging workshop on marketing, where participants created short videos and social media content in international teams. The workshop included a talk on Persona for business marketing ideas, which helped the participants develop personas for marketing strategies. There were discussions on unemployment across different countries, and exercises in money and time management further enriched the learning experience. Also, talk on sustainable agricultural practices.
The workshop on Economic Resources (Spain) was about exploring economic resources. Sessions on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), mental health, and the role of AI in business were particularly impactful, broadening participants’ horizons. Leadership and Communication workshop (Greece) was focused on developing leadership and communication skills. Erasmus+ Possibilities + Youthpass (Turkey) was an information session on opportunities provided by Erasmus+ and the Youthpass certificate.
SWOT Analysis and Brainstorming
In-depth SWOT analysis sessions and brainstorming on innovative topics like drugs for diabetics and connecting employees with employers highlighted the participants’ creativity and problem-solving skills. The session on the Economy of the Common Good and SWOT analysis focused on the economy of the common good and performing SWOT analysis. There was a dedicated time for participants to develop their business ideas and presentations.
Outdoor and Team Activities
Outdoor sports and team-building exercises emphasized the importance of physical health and teamwork. Teamwork Hungary was about finding out about yourself and your relationships with the group integrating outdoor activities that aimed at self-discovery and team integration.
Cultural Dinner Experience
One of the highlights of the “Become Young Entrepreneur” youth exchange in Lutomiersk was a special dinner where participants had the opportunity to savor traditional Polish cuisine. This cultural dining experience featured iconic Polish national dishes, offering a delicious taste of local culinary heritage. Participants enjoyed an evening of authentic flavors, with hearty dishes such as pierogi (dumplings), bigos (hunter’s stew), and kielbasa (sausage), among others. This event not only satisfied appetites but also provided a rich cultural immersion, enhancing the overall experience of the exchange program.
A Week of Growth and Inspiration
The “Become Young Entrepreneur” youth exchange was not just an educational program but a life-changing experience for many. Participants left with a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship, enriched by the knowledge and skills to pursue their business ideas sustainably. They also forged lasting friendships and professional connections that will support their future endeavors.
The LEVEL UP Association and its partners are proud to have hosted such a successful event and look forward to seeing the positive impact these young entrepreneurs will make in their communities and beyond.
The exchange ended with a session on reviewing and evaluating the youth exchange program and awarding of the best idea, Youthpass, and certificate delivery + Goodbye dinner.