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Description
Project PODUZMI aims to develop a teaching model based on raising creativity and entrepreneurial thinking in the context of the rural community and in the sustainable use of local resources for entrepreneurial purposes with raising awareness of scarce resources and climate change. Rural areas (Gračac municipality) have greater challenges than city centers in relation to educational development due to socio-economic and institutional structures. The project will encourage creativity, and entrepreneurship awareness and create sustainable jobs in rural areas in the long run by increasing the entrepreneurial potential of the deprived, local communities at the same time contributing to reducing the gap and helping to ensure the rural-urban balance.
Summary of project results
Entrepreneurial competence is one of the key competences of lifelong learning, and the encouragement and development of entrepreneurship starts from an early age. The teacher is a key figure and an insurmountable link for teaching and learning about entrepreneurship in primary schools because the teacher is directly connected to the student. Teachers are expected to acquire creative skills and competencies themselves in order to ensure the success of the educational system, the success of students, and the prosperity of the community. Rural areas (Gračac municipality) have greater challenges than urban centers in relation to educational development due to socioeconomic and institutional structures. These areas are less developed, far from achieving a successful concept of sustainable development, and struggle with issues like poverty, youth displacement, lack of social inclusion, and limited innovation in deprived municipalities and towns. By introducing entrepreneurship classes in primary schools, using a teaching model that fosters creativity and entrepreneurial thinking within rural communities, and aiming for the sustainable use of local resources for entrepreneurial purposes, awareness of limited resources in the context of climate change can be raised. This would create one of the prerequisites for entrepreneurship development and, in the long term, the possibility of creating sustainable jobs, contributing to poverty reduction, and bridging the gap between rural and urban areas.
The project PODUZMI aimed to develop a teaching model focused on fostering creativity and entrepreneurial mindset within a rural community, intending to sustainably utilize local resources for entrepreneurial purposes. The project was implemented through three main activities: 1. Creation of a new teaching model in entrepreneurship intended for primary school teachers specifically for economically deprived and rural areas. The elaboration and development of the model was led by experts from the University of Zadar. A study visit to Oslo was organized for the representatives of Croatian partners, where representatives of Norwegian institutions (Encona, JA Norway - Ungt Entreprenørskap, Vika High school and SpareBank 1) presented examples of their practice on teaching entrepreneurship; 2. Implementation of a pilot program for active teaching in entrepreneurship intended for primary school teachers, including special programs for students with special educational needs. The model created was implemented through a pilot program in Nikola Tesla Primary School in Gračac. Experts from the University of Zadar conducted training sessions and provided individual consultations to guide teachers in applying the program effectively. The school''s library was also equipped (with furniture and equipment) and transformed into a modern educational space - the school''s entrepreneurship laboratory; 3. A two-day Creativity Camp hosted at the Center for Creative Industries in Zadar, managed by the Institution INOVACija. The event was of great interest for the teachers, which is confirmed by the number of participants. The reactions and comments of the participants regarding the Creativity Camp and the results of the PODUZMI project were extremely positive. The event served as a platform for networking and exchanging ideas among individuals and institutions recognizing the importance of entrepreneurship education. During the Creativity Camp, representatives from the Norwegian project partner presented a successful case study from Norway. Furthermore, the Norwegian partners visited Nikola Tesla Primary School in Gračac.
These are the results of the project:
1) Through collaboration with partners, several educational programmes were developed: "Innovative model of education for entrepreneurship in primary schools", "Professional development programme for teachers and educational workers", "Manual for teachers on upbringing and education for entrepreneurship" and "Guidelines for the development of an individualized approach to upbringing and education for entrepreneurship". Additionally, a survey was conducted to assess the attitudes about entrepreneurial competences among teachers and principals in Zadar County. These materials are primarily aimed at primary school teachers and educational workers but can be utilized across all levels of education.
During the visit to Norway, four meetings were held with representatives of relevant Norwegian institutions.
2) A total of 24 (9 more than planned) teachers and other educational workers were trained for the implementation of the pilot programme.
The school library space was renovated and transformed into a modern educational facility known as the school''s entrepreneurship laboratory. This space serves as a meeting point for teachers and students, where entrepreneurship teaching programmes are conducted. Extracurricular activities focusing on the cross-curricular topic of Entrepreneurship are held in the school''s entrepreneurship laboratory, led by teachers who received training through the project.
3) A total of 54 stakeholders (24 more than planned) gained practical insights into entrepreneurship through creativity recognition and stimulation training. Within the Creativity Camp, a training session on innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship recognition and encouragement was conducted. The session was attended by 54 educational staff members, including 20 from Nikola Tesla Primary School, 34 from 15 other primary schools in Zadar County, 2 from secondary schools, and 1 from a kindergarten. Experts from the University led the training, while directors and guest lecturers from Croatia and the Norwegian partner shared their experiences and best practices.
All of the above directly contributed to the results of the Call, which is the improvement of the skills and competencies of teachers and other educational workers in the primary education system.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian project partner (Vinco Innovation AS) organized the programme during the study visit to Oslo and facilitated meetings with representatives of relevant Norwegian institutions. This served as a valuable opportunity to observe examples of best practices in Norway and to exchange knowledge and experiences with Croatian partners on entrepreneurship education.During the study trip, inter-institutional cooperation was established with representatives from Norwegian institutions, including JA Norway – Ungt Entrepreneurskap, SpareBank 1, and Vika High School. Declarations regarding potential future cooperation were also signed.As part of the Creativity Camp in Zadar, the Norwegian partner presented a Norwegian practice example, the Økonomiglede program or "Joy of Finance". This programme, developed by the organization Econa, offers a teaching model for children to learn about personal finance. Økonomiglede comprises well-developed teaching materials based on practical examples.