Why is entrepreneurial learning important?

The need for our education systems to teach people how to be entrepreneurial, take risks and seize new opportunities has been working its way up to the political agenda for some time. The current economic crisis, which is causing increasing uncertainty for enterprises and individuals everywhere, has only made the need for entrepreneurial learning all the more urgent.

Recognising this, 16 countries of South Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East have expressed their desire to increase opportunities for lifelong entrepreneurial learning as part of their commitment to the EU enterprise charters.

Together with the European Commission and other partners, the ETF has been working on a policy index, designed to help countries meet the specific challenges of promoting the enterprise culture, since 2006.


What is the aim of this project?

This project aims to help build capacity for developing lifelong entrepreneurial learning and the creation of enterprise skills in general and higher education in 16 countries. It builds on the ETF's expertise in designing and applying indicators in this area in these two partner regions over the past two years.

More specific aims include enhancing capacity for strategic thinking, building the necessary policy partnerships and conducting enterprise-led training needs analysis as well as forging stronger links between education and industry.


How are we doing this?
The project has four main elements. First, it is encouraging the building of partnerships for policy making in Serbia and Lebanon. According to the Charter policy index, engaging all relevant stakeholders in designing policy is essential for developing lifelong entrepreneurial learning.

Second, it is using the policy index to help businesses to better understand and articulate their training needs. This activity is concentrating on Syria, although the resulting know-how will be shared with two neighbouring partner countries.

Third, it is piloting a set of indicators for measuring how well universities are doing at delivering entrepreneurial learning in all disciplines and generally promoting the spirit of enterprise. Starting with a select group of instutions, it is also using this activity as a wa of promoting structured dialogue between ministries of education and the economy.