For showing the situation related to online training provision including selected didactic ICT tools/ solutions available in the partner countries, BEST developed guiding documents for the collation of related data and input from desktop research and the involvement of experts and people with experience in the matter, i.e. entrepreneurs or those in the process to become entrepreneurs, education specialists and stakeholders in ICT/training and business related matters.

The stakeholders’ focus group discussed semi-guided guidelines they thought were of relevance to be included in the UInno curriculum and toolbox; as well as which methods of user-centred design for eLearning modules were interesting for them. The future entrepreneurs’ focus group was also conducted based on semi-guided guidelines. Questions dealt with their experiences and motivation in becoming an entrepreneur and their knowledge of digital learning tools.

Between December 2017 and March 2018, the six participating project partner organisations conducted then two focus groups in their home country: one with future entrepreneurs (unemployed, low skilled workers, adult learners) and another one with stakeholders. Moreover, to look beyond the own country borders, the partnership has involved also stakeholders from other countries in Europe, namely from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Island, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Entrepreneurship education is provided in all partner countries and delivered via face to face training, as well as e-learning platforms or mobile apps, as described practices have shown in this e-book. However, all partner countries have reported a lack of practice models dedicated to low-qualified adults on entrepreneurship, especially when talking about opportunities available for free. This fact is undoubtedly one of the top expectations to strengthen future work force in start-up ecosystems in Europe: Whoever wants to become self-employed and start a business should be equipped to face particular challenges.

A selection of good practices researched by the partnership highlights (selected) training provision in Europe – also outside the project’s partnership countries – that already exist and that combine innovative e-learning approaches with areas of entrepreneurship.

Regarding online information material, platforms and (learning/ training) tools related to entrepreneurship, there is a broad offer in European countries. A large number of trainings often target university level learners, however. What is reported missing in the participating countries is a comprehensive approach including entrepreneurship training applying innovative edidactics and a learning/training platform that is flexible to use for people without prior entrepreneurship knowledge.

To answer this, we summarised the focus groups’ recommendations from partner countries and other European countries for the development of the project’s online learning/training platform and its useful features towards the needs of the learner group.

1. European Commission: The Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). Implications for education and training policies in Europe. DG Education and Training, October 2013.
2. Kelley, Singer, & Herrington (2016): The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2015/2016.
3. Kollmann, Stöckmann, et al (2016): The European Startup Monitor – ESM2016, University of Duisburg-Essen
4. Lister, Meaghan (2014): Trends in the Design of E-Learning and Online Learning. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching Vol. 10, No. 4, December 2014. Retrieved from: http://jolt.merlot.org/vol10no4/Lister_1214.pdf
5. McKay, Heather/Gatta, Mary (2009): Online Learning for Low Skill Adults. Center for Women and Work (CWW)/ Communications Workers of America (CWA). Retrieved from: http://www.speedmatters.org/sites/default/files/online_learning_for_low_skill_adults.pdf
6. OECD/European Union (2015): The Missing Entrepreneurs 2015: Policies for Self-employment and Entrepreneurship, OECD Publishing, Paris. Retrieved from: https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/employment/the-missing-entrepreneurs-2015_9789264226418-en

The complete list of references is cited in the full study.