About

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OBJECTIVE

KidVenture's main goal is to create an innovative computer learning game for Entrepreneurship Education of children (6 -10 yo), that can be easily implemented in formal, non-formal and informal education settings.

This game will be complemented by a Manual and an Guide for Implementation with guidelines for the use of the learning game in-class in order to assist teachers and trainers.

EXPECTED IMPACT

Teachers/trainers and Parents will have access to an innovative and user friendly tool for teaching Entrepreneurship skills that can be used in various settings
Children will have access to a tool, at the same time user friendly and entertaining, that enables learning a wide set of Entrepreneurship skills, as well as transversal competences (Entrepreneurship, ICT, team work, storytelling, etc.)
Organisations active in Entrepreneurship Education will have a new tool and knowledge to improve Entrepreneurship skills of children
In the future, as children become young adults, we will have more active European citizens, contributing for company and job creation and to a dynamic European society

PARTNERS

Kingston University Business School (Coordinator)

Advancis Business Services

University of Western Macedonia

Boon

Scuole Paritarie dell'Istituto delle Maestre Pie dell'Addolorata

ZŠ Jedovnice

Çukurova Kaymakamliği

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BACKGROUND

IMPORTANCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION FROM EARLY AGE

As referred in a recent document - Entrepreneurship Education at School in Europe (EACEA, 2012) – “Europe faces a number of challenges that can only be met if it has innovative, well-educated, and entrepreneurial citizens who, whatever their walk of life, have the spirit and inquisitiveness to think in new ways, and the courage to meet and adapt to the challenges facing them. Moreover, a dynamic economy(…) will require a greater number of young people willing and able to become entrepreneurs”.
In this context, the same document states that “Entrepreneurship Education is essential not only to shape the mindsets of young people but also to provide the skills and knowledge that are central to developing an entrepreneurial culture”.
With this regard, is also underlined that “because education is key to shaping young people’s attitudes, skills and culture, it is vital that Entrepreneurship Education is addressed from an early age”.

EU STRATEGY ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION

The document Entrepreneurship Education: A road to success (EU, 2015) summarizes the EU position on this matter.
“As a key competence for life, Entrepreneurship is prominent on the agenda of the European Commission. DG Education and Culture’s ‘Rethinking Education’ communication states that all young people should benefit from Entrepreneurship Education (…)
The Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan states that it is “Entrepreneurship that makes the European economy more competitive and innovative (…). In turn, Entrepreneurship Education is expected to support Europe in competing globally, returning to economic growth and creating high levels of employment”.
In the study Entrepreneurship Education at School in Europe (EACEA, 2012) it is also referred that “the EU has long supported and helped further the cause of Entrepreneurship Education. Within the education and training agenda, the strategic framework for European cooperation, Education and Training 2020 has, as its fourth long-term strategic objective, to enhance creativity and innovation, including Entrepreneurship, at all levels of education and training”.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION IN EARLY AGE

According to the study Entrepreneurship Education at School in Europe (EACEA, 2012), a “great majority of European countries address Entrepreneurship Education through national strategies or initiatives”, reflecting the “wide recognition of the importance of Entrepreneurship Education in Europe”.
The same study stresses that “nearly half of the countries have incorporated the objectives linked to the promotion of Entrepreneurship Education within broader strategies (lifelong learning, education and youth, growth)” and others countries “have launched specific Entrepreneurship Education strategies”.
As for Entrepreneurship Education at primary education level, which roughly includes children aging 6 to 10 years old, it’s referred that only “two thirds of EU countries explicitly recognise Entrepreneurship in central steering documents at this education level”. In contrast, in secondary education “virtually all countries integrate Entrepreneurship into the curriculum in some form”. This allows the conclusion that it is at the primary education level that is needed more attention.
Current approaches to Entrepreneurship Education in primary education rely mostly on a “cross-curricular approach (…) where Entrepreneurship Education is integrated into existing subjects”. Another important aspect is that “half of the countries define learning outcomes related to Entrepreneurship” but “no country addresses practical entrepreneurial skills at this school level”.