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Description
The project deals with the problem of lack of competencies of teachers for effective inclusion of student entrepreneurship and active citizenship in educational programs of primary schools in Croatia, especially in the target areas of three islands: Šolta, Hvar and Vis. The aim of the project is to develop skills, programs, content and tools crucial for the introduction of quality and sustainable informal programs of student entrepreneurship and active citizenship in primary schools. The target groups of the project are present and future teachers and other educators who will gain skills important for professional, social and economic well-being and impact for themselves, students, schools and the community in which they operate.
Summary of project results
The project "Islands of student entrepreneurship and eco-social innovations for sustainable development of Split-Dalmatia County" includes 3 central Dalmatian islands - Šolta, Hvar and Vis, which although belong to the same island micro-region, county, LAG and FLAG Škoji, are characterized by extremely weak inter-island transport connectivity, thus low intra-island and inter-island interaction and cooperation of population and stakeholders. Although according to development index, the project implementation area doesn’t belong to the least developed areas of Croatia and Split-Dalmatia county (as the least developed is Sućuraj municipality which belongs to the 3rd group, then the city of Komiža which belongs to the 5th group and all other belong to the 7th and 8th group), islands are characterized by, island-specific developmental problems, which are consequently reflected in all spheres of island population life. These are: seasonality of economic activity, lack of local development resources utilization, dominance of tourism in island economic structure, lack of central functions and thus the content of education, depopulation, low birth rate and demographic aging, small island communities, declining student numbers, and often insufficient human and material educational resources in island schools, which are just like islands, specific to schools in mainland urban centres. Islands schools are characterized by a small number of students, declining number of students, insufficient teaching capacity and a weaker offer of non-teaching and extracurricular activities. There are 7 primary, 5 branch schools and 6 student cooperatives in project implementation area. Students learn about entrepreneurship and integrated topics of active citizenship through extracurricular programmes and activities, and these are mainly activities within student cooperatives, environmental groups, art workshops or one-day actions.
The project implemented:
1. Development of an informal educational programme and accompanying tools to strengthen students'' entrepreneurial and civic competencies - A preliminary survey was conducted via a questionnaire among the staff of the 7 island schools, resulting in the "Research Report within the Project Islands of Student Entrepreneurship and Eco-Social Innovation for Sustainable Development of the Split-Dalmatia County" document with 3 annexes. The document "Eco-Social Student Entrepreneurship and Innovations - Informal Educational Programme" was created, along with three tools to develop and strengthen the entrepreneurial and civic competencies of the staff and students: the manual "Eco-Social Starter Kit," the workbook "Eco-Social Starter Kit," the "Student Entrepreneurship Business Model Canvas," and usage guidelines. Equipment was procured to set up an island training center and conduct animation and educational workshops.
2. Implementation of eco-social student entrepreneurship and innovation training for teachers and other educational staff - A working group of 10 staff members from 5 schools was established. 20 sets for participants (USB sticks, folders, pens, and notebooks) were procured. Ten workshops were conducted to develop the skills and competencies of teachers and staff for working with students in entrepreneurship and active citizenship by the Project Promoter. 8 workshops were conducted by Partner 1 to develop the skills and competencies of teachers and staff for working with students with special educational needs in entrepreneurship and active citizenship. Partner 2 conducted 2 demonstration lectures. An Internet forum was established on the Edux platform, and 4 online experience exchange programmes were held.
3. Implementation of pilot informal educational programmes in student eco-social entrepreneurship and innovation - 5 pilot programmes in student eco-social entrepreneurship and innovation were prepared and implemented, with mentorship provided by the Project Promoter. Partner 2 conducted two demonstration lectures. 5 additional pilot programmes were prepared and implemented, with mentorship provided by Partner 1. An evaluation of the pilot student entrepreneurship programmes was conducted, resulting in an Evaluation Report. Mentorship was provided for creating/updating student cooperative documents through the creation of educational, working, and informational materials and conducting informal exercises with participants
The project resulted in the following outcomes:
1. Development of new programmes, content, and tools aimed at long-term contributions to the development and strengthening of entrepreneurial and civic competencies, skills, and knowledge among the target groups of teachers, educational staff, and students in the target area, with potential replication across Croatia. This outcome was achieved through the creation of four educational tools: one informal educational programme "Eco-Social Student Entrepreneurship and Innovations," one manual and one workbook "Eco-Social Starter Kit," and one educational-work material "Student Entrepreneurship Business Model Canvas". These tools were used by teachers and educational staff to develop and strengthen entrepreneurial and civic competencies, skills, and knowledge during the project''s activities. Their future use is facilitated, as well as by other teachers and educational staff, as these materials have been uploaded to the Edux platform, allowing for their subsequent review and utilization.
2. Built and strengthened theoretical and practical capacities of the target groups for developing and enhancing entrepreneurial and civic competencies, skills, and knowledge in students. This outcome was achieved through the implementation of activities, during which a series of educational, informational, demonstrative, and practical workshops and exercises, as well as consultations, were organized and conducted. These activities resulted in the built and strengthened theoretical and practical capacities of the target groups for the future development and enhancement of entrepreneurial and civic competencies, skills, and knowledge in students.
Summary of bilateral results
• Through bilateral partnership and project collaboration with Vinco Innovation AS from Norway, there was a transfer of relevant knowledge, experiences, learning models, and examples of good practice from Norway regarding the topic of student entrepreneurship. This benefited members of the project consortium and project team, as well as the target groups of teachers and educational staff from the involved primary schools, which was highlighted as a fundamental goal of the bilateral cooperation in the project proposal.• The main results of the bilateral cooperation include: conducting research and reviewing Norwegian practices and examples related to teaching entrepreneurship and developing entrepreneurial skills in children within the Norwegian education system, which was incorporated into the research report. Additionally, four demonstration lectures were conducted on best practices and teaching models for entrepreneurship and integrated active citizenship themes for the educational staff of the involved schools, along with the promotion of the project and project activities through the partner''s communication channels.• If adequate conditions are established, including the availability of grants for financing project activities.