Promoting youth entrepreneurship to foster social inclusion of young people

These Council conclusions on promoting youth entrepreneurship in the European Union (EU) cover several aspects.

ACT

Council conclusions of 20 May 2014 on promoting youth entrepreneurship to foster social inclusion of young people (2014/C 183/04) (Official Journal C 183 of 14.6.2014, pp. 18-21).

SUMMARY

• 1.

  They acknowledge that the historically high youth unemployment in the EU due to the economic crisis has increased the level of poverty and social exclusion of young people. This has forced many to leave their home countries in search of better opportunities.

• 2.

  They confirm that (social) entrepreneurship is an important driver for new jobs and social innovation as it increases young people’s employability. Special help should be given to under-represented groups who want to start, run or grow a business. The Europe 2020 strategy and its flagship initiatives can help foster an entrepreneurial mindset (creativity and innovative capabilities).

• 3.

  They urge investment in education and programmes that promote (social) entrepreneurship amongst young people so as to develop their transversal skills and qualities, such as initiative, confidence, calculated risk-taking, creativity, organisation and tenacity.

• 4.

  They identify focal points for promoting youth entrepreneurship, such as:

  • developing an entrepreneurial mindset and skills in school and through youth work activities, like volunteering, teaching digital skills and cultural awareness;
  • promoting social entrepreneurship that includes sustainable and environmental values and contributes to social inclusion by involving vulnerable groups.

• 5.

  They call on EU countries to:

  • recognise the importance of promoting holistic, cross-sectoral education in entrepreneurship from an early age to help combat youth unemployment;
  • recognise or validate outcomes gained through youth work and non-formal/informal learning (i.e. learning outside the more usual classroom setting, often from experience);
  • assist youth organisations with guidance;
  • help business start-ups and social enterprises cross barriers to access support services and finance, including by means of the European Social Fund and the employment and social innovation programme.

• 6.

  They invite the Commission and EU countries (depending on which can deliver the most effective results) to:

  • improve the visibility of social entrepreneurship;
  • promote on-the-job training and other learning activities to foster entrepreneurship;
  • capacity-building for those working with young people; and
  • help young entrepreneurs spread their ideas more easily across borders and sectors.

• 7.

  They ask the Commission to:

  • raise awareness and promote good youth entrepreneurship practices through platforms such as the European youth portal;
  • conduct research into youth work’s contribution to enhancing youth entrepreneurship;
  • improve cooperation between young entrepreneurs and relevant stakeholders through programmes Erasmus+ or Erasmus for young entrepreneurs.

KEY TERMS

Social innovations: new ideas (products, services and models) that meet both social needs (better than alternative solutions) and result in new social relationships or collaborations.

Social entrepreneurship: innovative solutions to deal with social issues.

Youth work: educational, recreational or social activities or projects that involve young people.

last update 24.02.2015