From November 24 to December 3, 2019, I had the opportunity to co-facilitate EntrepreneurSHIP, an international training course held in Slettestrand, Denmark, and organized by InterCollege. This project brought together youth workers from across Europe, including participants from Denmark, Turkey, Romania, the UK, Moldova, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Hungary, and Italy. The goal? To dive deep into the concept of entrepreneurship and explore how youth work can spark local business ideas and initiatives that benefit communities.
The training focused on one big idea: youth workers are in a unique position to inspire and support young people—not just to dream, but to act. And for many communities facing economic challenges, small local businesses can be a powerful way to create opportunities, resilience, and a sense of ownership.
Over the course of ten days, we worked with a rich mix of non-formal education methods: world cafés, theatre techniques, reversed challenges, group debates, and creative reflection spaces. We explored what entrepreneurship really means—not just in economic terms, but as a mindset. Participants reflected on the values behind starting a venture, the role of community, and how to support young people in taking initiative in a sustainable and ethical way.
One of the highlights of the training was the Pitching Lab, where participants worked in teams to develop and present business ideas designed to address specific local challenges. Each team received peer feedback and guidance on how to make their ideas more inclusive, impactful, and feasible. This wasn’t just a theoretical exercise—some of these ideas were taken back home and developed further in participants’ own communities.
Throughout the week, we encouraged constant self-reflection. What does it mean to be an entrepreneur? How can we shift our own mindset to support others better? What barriers—internal or external—stop young people from taking initiative, and how can we break them down? These questions shaped not only the content of the sessions, but also the conversations happening during meals, late-night discussions, and casual walks by the sea.
By the end of the course, something shifted. Participants didn’t just gain knowledge about entrepreneurship—they gained confidence. They left with tools, fresh perspectives, and a support network of fellow youth workers ready to promote entrepreneurial thinking in meaningful, socially responsible ways.
Being part of EntrepreneurSHIP reminded me that entrepreneurship, when rooted in values and community, can be a transformative force—not only for young people but for society at large.
