LEarning And Development in micro- and small enterprises

<< Background >>The project was initiated to address a critical gap in training opportunities for MSEs, particularly businesses with fewer than 50 employees. While medium-sized enterprises typically benefit from formal or informal training programs, smaller firms, especially micro-companies with up to 9 employees, show little to no participation in such initiatives. This lack of training engagement, both internal and external, is further compounded by a reluctance to accept external advice, which hampers their potential for growth.Our preparatory research and extensive literature review highlighted a significant supply-side and demand-side failure regarding training offerings for MSEs. It was evident that a pedagogical approach tailored to motivate these companies' owners and managers was required. By developing a targeted project like LEAD, we aimed to bridge this gap and offer a new, innovative solution in the entrepreneurial environment, helping MSEs recognise the benefits of systematic retraining and adopt a forward-looking vision for their companies' development. This project has been crucial in understanding the unique barriers faced by these firms and in providing tailored interventions to enhance their long-term competitiveness-successes<< Objectives >>By implementing this project, we aimed to gain recognition for the specific training and development requirements of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) at local, national and European levels. A key objective was to differentiate and address the specific attributes of MSEs, including the number of employees, annual income, industry sector, competitive pressures, and their position in the business lifecycle. Our ambition was to provide a multifaceted evaluation of their needs and to develop tailored training and advisory strategies. In addition to these theoretical achievements, we sought to provide MSE owners, managers, and external advisors with practical tools through the creation of a comprehensive Handbook and accompanying teaching materials. To validate these resources, we planned pilot training sessions, measuring success through both qualitative and quantitative indicators. Furthermore, the project aimed to disseminate its findings widely across the European entrepreneurial space and demonstrate its long-term value through a robust sustainability plan. Lastly, in light of the impact of the COIVD-19 pandemic, we prioritised digitalisation, enabling a blended curriculum to facilitate international sharing of the results.<< Implementation >>The project has delivered a series of activities designed to meet the training requirements of micro and small enterprises (MSEs). Our initial focus was on continued research into SME-related subjects. In particular, we concentrated on the training requirements and motivation strategies required for owners, managers and employees of MSEs. This research led to the first project result (PR1), a comprehensive preparatory study analysing firm-specific training needs. Building on the findings of PR1, we have created a Handbook (PR2) for MSE owners, managers, employees, and external advisors. We then created blended learning curricula (PR3), enhancing existing partner institutions' training programmes for MSE stakeholders, including future managers and advisors. To refine the training materials, pilot courses were conducted across partner institutions, and feedback was incorporated into the final curriculum.Throughout the project, we held six partner meetings and multiple web meetings to ensure continuous management and quality control. In line with the project's national and EU objectives, we implemented a robust dissemination plan, utilising multiplier events, websites, and social media to share results. Finally, we developed policy recommendations to maximise long-term impact.<< Results >>The project was successfully delivered, achieving all planned tangible outcomes. The first Project Result (PR1) comprised a comprehensive preparatory analysis of training requirements and advisory strategies tailored to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). This analysis distinguished between micro and small firms based on criteria such as size and development stage, thus establishing the basis for subsequent project outputs.The second output (PR2) was a practical, easy-to-access guide (Handbook) for MSE owners, managers, and external advisors. It addressed their specific training needs and provided strategies to motivate engagement with training provisions. A key result was the development of tailored curricula for two distinct target groups: students (future MSE managers) and current MSE owners, managers, and advisors. These curricula included primarily online courses, with minimal face-to-face elements.Furthermore, the project generated follow-up recommendations for educational decision-makers to support human resource development in the MSE sector. Finally, a follow-up project was conceptualised to ensure the sustainability of these achievements.