Generating entrepreneurship in education and training

Developing entrepreneurial mindsets has considerable benefits for the European Union (EU) and its citizens. These Council of the European Union conclusions highlight ways to incorporate entrepreneurship into education and training.

ACT

Council conclusions on entrepreneurship in education and training (2015/C 17/02) (Official Journal C 17 of 20.1.2015, pp. 2-7).

SUMMARY

WHAT DO THESE COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS DO?

They stress the importance and the benefits of generating entrepreneurship into education and training, and invite EU countries and the European Commission to encourage, support and explore measures that help facilitate entrepreneurship across learning environments.

KEY POINTS

Definition of entrepreneurship

These Council conclusions use the comprehensive definition of entrepreneurship used in the 2006 recommendation on lifelong learning: the ability to turn ideas into actions using creativity, innovation, risk-taking, planning and project management.

Measures by EU countries

The conclusions call on EU countries to:

• connect ministries of education with other relevant ministries;
• support student venture initiatives, e.g. mentoring and incubators for aspiring entrepreneurs;
• involve entrepreneurs in the learning process; and
• track graduate information to assess the quality and effectiveness of entrepreneurship education and training.

Measures involving the European Commission alongside EU countries

They are called upon to:

• create a reference framework;
• facilitate an exchange of ideas and good practices at national and European levels;
• exploit the potential of Erasmus+ in supporting entrepreneurship in education;
• promote teacher/ trainer education in entrepreneurial skills;
• consider how resources like the European Social Fund can support entrepreneurship; and
• explore the potential of creating free and open digital and online resources to strengthen entrepreneurial and innovation skills.

BACKGROUND

These Council conclusions touch upon several issues raised in previous Council conclusions concerning a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training: the modernisation of higher education, and the promotion of youth entrepreneurship to foster social inclusion of young people and effective teacher education.

For more information, see Entrepreneurship in education on the European Commission’s website.

last update 10.06.2015