The Young Sociopreneurs: A project in Social Entrepreneurship in EU Schools

<< Background >>Our school applied for this project in order to establishing a partnership of project partners with more experience over the European projects. We wanted to develop enhanced communication and teamworking skills and abilities and, in the long term, participating countries to pursue to establish a wider and sober network which will give the opportunity to schools, organizations, institutions, social enterprises, and other stakeholders from every EU country to join. Our main goal was that the teachers that participate will use the gained knowledge within their work plans, daily routine, and practices, operating also towards a more social behavior.The project aimed to equip teachers and students with the' sense of social initiatives and raise awareness on social entrepreneurship and improve their skills and knowledge on basic concepts of social entrepreneurship. Combining entepreneuship with the economy and more particular with social economy is nowadays the need since students need to familiarize and get to know social economy and how their future work can contribute to the creation of a better society with social impact. Through the actions of SOS Entre project we accomplished these goals. << Objectives >>The project aimed to integrate social entrepreneurship education into European high schools to enhance its quality within teaching frameworks for both teachers and students. It sought to design and develop a new model of social entrepreneurship education, boosting social innovation and entrepreneurial skills among teachers and students. The project's objectives included promoting social entrepreneurship within schools, engaging teachers in innovative educational practices, facilitating knowledge transfer, and fostering a social entrepreneurial mindset among students. It aimed to lay the foundations for students to transform social, cultural, or economic ideas into action across European contexts, addressing the absence of social entrepreneurship in school Moreover, this project we aimed too gain experiences in the KA-210-SCH project and create a network with other organisation in Europe that have experience in EU projects and together exchange ideas and challenges as also solutions. << Implementation >>The project implemented a series of strategic activities to achieve its goals, including:Three Transnational Meetings in Greece, Slovakia, and Brussels to facilitate collaboration and share insights among participants from different countries.Mapping of Social/Green Enterprises from the participating countries to understand the landscape and identify best practices and opportunities for social entrepreneurship.Training Course Development titled “How to start a Social Entrepreneurship: Concepts, tools, implementation methods” to provide foundational knowledge and skills.Training of Teachers and School Staff to ensure they are equipped to teach and support social entrepreneurship education.Implementation of Local Social Entrepreneurship Action Plans in Schools to translate theoretical knowledge into practical action and innovation within the local communities.Local Conferences in Greece Slovenia to disseminate project outcomes, share experiences, and further promote social entrepreneurship education.These activities aimed to foster a comprehensive understanding and practical implementation of social entrepreneurship,enhancing the educational framework and encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset among students and educators<< Results >>The project delivered key outcomes: 1. Multilevel Impact: Aimed to equip teachers with tools for fostering student interest in social entrepreneurship, aiming for a long-term transformation of the European economy towards social sustainability. 2. Development: Enhanced teachers' and students' awareness of social entrepreneurship, benefiting numerous participants (83 students received training and 26 teachers). 3. Skills and Knowledge: Teachers improved in teaching social entrepreneurship, promoting innovation and social values (26 teachers 14 from Greece 12 from Slovakia) 4. Future Initiatives: Laid foundations for future educational activities promoting social entrepreneurship. 5. Dissemination: Handbook post, social media, Local Conferences events in each country and website6. Long-term Sharing: Extended knowledge sharing through a Handbook for educators and envisioned post-project local events to further promote its goals. ​The project contributed to the development of a new and modern vision in involved schools. It provided teachers, students, staff members, adult educators, and relevant stakeholders with awareness about social entrepreneurship.