Entrepreneurship education, in the last years, is being increasingly promoted in most European countries, according to data published by the European Commission. Eight countries (Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Wales and the Flemish part of Belgium) have launched specific strategies to promote entrepreneurship education, while 13 others (Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey) include it as part of their national lifelong learning, youth or growth strategies. Half of European countries are engaged in a process of educational reforms which include the strengthening of entrepreneurship education. A total of 31 European countries and 5 regions were surveyed for the report, entitled “Entrepreneurship Education at School in Europe”
[http://www.azoo.hr/images/Entrepreneurship_Education_at_School_in_Europe.pdf].
Entrepreneurship education at schools however is not enough and needs to be complemented through targeted youth strategies. Article 165 TFEU provides for European Union action in order to develop youth exchanges and exchanges between youth workers, and with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty to encourage the participation of young people in democratic life in Europe. While respecting subsidiarity, the EU Youth Strategy[1] set out a framework for cooperation covering the years 2010 - 2018. It had two main objectives: to provide more and equal opportunities for young people in education and the labour market and to promote active participation of young people in society.
The strategy comprised a dual approach which includes specific youth initiatives to encourage non - formal learning, participation, voluntary activities, youth work, mobility and information; and mainstreaming initiatives that ensure youth issues are taken into account when formulating, implementing and evaluating policies and actions in other fields with a significant impact on young people, such as education, employment or health and well-being.
An interesting aspect is the shift from physical to virtual exchanges. Evidence shows that experience abroad offers valuable opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills, interactions between young people with diverse backgrounds and also significantly enhances tolerance and mutual acceptance. An Erasmus experience is an ideal opportunity to develop social awareness and curricular abilities.
It is now time to carefully study the impact with a view to strengthen the strategy for entrepreneurship education and support.
[1] An EU Strategy for Youth – Investing and Empowering, A renewed open method of coordination to address youth challenges and opportunities, 27 April 2009: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52009DC0200&from=EN