Inclusive Youth Information Award category

Young Entrepreneurs in Action

Title of the Project

Young Entrepreneurs in Action

Organisation

Asociatia Ingens Risus

WEBSITE

https://www.ingensrisus.eu/

Project link

https://www.ingensrisus.eu/past-activities/young-entrepreneurs-in-action

https://www.facebook.com/ingensrisus/posts/pfbid02zSisFDoUnsH1CpBzBWFiiVvXjhvLrrAuzj5axUjK9kc1SjxGDVfu67SJpPJZLteRl

Project dates

2025-08-17

2025-08-25

What is it about?

The project aimed to empower young people to become proactive, self-aware, and socially responsible changemakers by strengthening their entrepreneurial mindset and personal development competences through non-formal education, with a strong focus on inclusion and equal access to European opportunities. The main objectives were to enhance participants’ understanding of entrepreneurship as a mindset connected to initiative, adaptability, and lifelong learning; to support their development as active changemakers by building leadership, critical thinking, and productivity skills; and to provide practical tools for creativity, intercultural collaboration, and problem-solving, particularly for young people with fewer opportunities. 

The target group consisted of young people from Romania, Hungary, the Republic of Moldova, Czechia, and Slovakia, representing diverse cultural, educational, and social backgrounds. Up to 80% of participants were young people with fewer opportunities, including individuals from rural areas, socio-economically disadvantaged contexts, and with limited access to youth information services. For many of them, this project represented their first direct contact with Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, or Eurodesk. 

To achieve its objectives, the project implemented a series of interactive activities, including “Unlocking the Entrepreneurial Mindset,” “Mindset Reset: From Procrastination to Action,” “How to Pitch: Pitching Skills,” and a Start-up Market Simulation. These activities combined self-reflection with hands-on practice, allowing participants to explore personal attitudes, acquire practical skills, and apply their learning in safe, simulated environments. 

The project was based on youth-led, participant-centred non-formal learning methods. These included interactive workshops, role play, theatre-based activities, simulations, peer-to-peer learning, open discussions, brainstorming sessions, learning-by-doing approaches, educational games, energisers, and structured reflection groups. Innovation and creative thinking were further encouraged through the use of the SCAMPER method, design-thinking tools, and collaborative problem-solving challenges, ensuring accessibility and meaningful participation for all learners.

How is this project relevant to the specific category?

This initiative fully corresponds to the Inclusive Youth Information Award category by embedding inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities into the project’s core structure while using familiar non-formal education approaches. The organising organisation’s long-term experience in working with young people with fewer opportunities was reflected in the deliberate choice to involve up to 80% of participants from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds.

The project targeted young people facing social, economic, geographical, and educational barriers, many of whom had never previously heard of or participated in Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, or other European youth programmes. European opportunities were therefore introduced gradually and in an accessible manner, ensuring that first-time participants could engage without feeling excluded by complex terminology or formal information delivery.

Youth information was embedded within the project’s interactive activities rather than delivered as stand-alone sessions. Through workshops, simulations, role play, theatre-based activities, and peer-to-peer learning, participants were able to connect information about European programmes with their own experiences and aspirations. This approach supported confidence-building and active engagement, particularly for those with limited prior exposure to youth information services.

The international dimension of the project further strengthened inclusion by promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual learning among participants from Romania, Hungary, the Republic of Moldova, Czechia, and Slovakia. Facilitators ensured balanced participation, adapted methods to participants’ needs, and created a safe learning environment where diversity was respected and valued.

By prioritising young people with fewer opportunities while maintaining a participant-centred, non-formal approach, the initiative successfully transformed youth information into an inclusive, accessible, and empowering experience.

What was the impact of the project?

Young Entrepreneurs in Action generated a strong and sustainable impact on young people and the local community by empowering a diverse group of participants, including young people with fewer opportunities and those with no prior experience in Erasmus+ or European youth programmes. The project acted as an inclusive entry point to youth participation, transforming limited access to information and low self-confidence into motivation and concrete action.

On an individual level, participants developed entrepreneurial competences, communication skills, leadership abilities, and self-confidence. Many reported increased confidence in using English, improved teamwork, and greater willingness to express ideas. Inclusive non-formal learning methods ensured that all participants—regardless of background, experience, or language level—felt supported and encouraged to contribute. Several young people who previously felt excluded from leadership roles later applied these skills in schools, local initiatives, or youth structures.

A key long-term impact was the transition from participation to initiative. Inspired by the exchange, a group of participants decided to stop waiting for ideal conditions and founded a new youth organisation focused on Erasmus+ projects and inclusive youth engagement. This organisation has already had its first project approved and will be implemented in May, ensuring continued outreach to young people with limited access to European opportunities.

The project also influenced participants’ daily lives and educational paths. Young people reported improved time management, goal setting, pitching, presentation, and project organisation skills, which they actively applied in school and community contexts. At community level, participants became multipliers of youth information, motivating peers who had never considered international mobility.

Overall, Young Entrepreneurs in Action empowered young people—especially those with fewer opportunities—to access European programmes, take leadership roles, and create inclusive, community-driven impact.

Did the project have any green focus?

During the project, eco-friendly practices were promoted at the accommodation through clearly marked recycling bins and a strong emphasis on protecting the natural environment. To minimise paper waste, the project prioritised digital tools for communication and learning materials. When paper use was unavoidable, participants were encouraged to reuse it. These actions significantly reduced the project’s footprint while teaching participants—many traveling abroad for the first time—about sustainable living. Through these concrete measures, the project not only minimised its environmental impact but also successfully raised awareness among young people regarding practical, eco-conscious habits, ensuring that the initiative left a lasting positive legacy on everyone.

How did you ensure Eurodesk's visibility in your project?

To ensure Eurodesk’s visibility, we featured the Eurodesk network in our YouTube video description, linking directly to mobility opportunities and our infopoint site. During dissemination sessions in Romania, we displayed the Eurodesk flag and logo on all materials. We also organised dedicated sessions to share Eurodesk tools and essential websites. By providing guided support, we helped participants navigate these platforms initially, encouraging them to further discover opportunities that fit their specific interests. This comprehensive approach ensured the network was central to both our digital presence and our face-to-face project activities.

Project highlights

https://www.ingensrisus.eu/past-activities/young-entrepreneurs-in-action

Your project on video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0QkqyZ_XRQ