IMPLEMENTATION
6th of July 2023
FIRST DAY
GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER
During the morning session, we held an activity about creating our own envelopes. In this activity, participants were walking in the room with a piece of paper with their names and a circle (face). As they were walking with their papers each time and when the trainer said "stop", it was simultaneously suggested to draw a specific feature of the face of the participant whose name was on the paper (e.g., eyebrows, eyes, lips). We continued until we had drawn the whole face. In this way, we had a portrait of each participant which had been drawn by various other participants. Afterwards, we put them up on the wall with an envelope underneath which was used to place some "presents'' and nice words for each person. Within the framework of this activity, we played secret friend throughout the whole week. In fact, each participant had a secret friend from which they were receiving small presents the whole week!
Within the first session, we also played various name games, such as a dating activity in which participants sit opposite one person in a line and they had to ask the other person a particular question. Every 2-3 minutes everybody went one seat further to talk with more people.
Within the same framework, we had a small introduction to the project of the whole week explaining what follows. We also set some general guidelines to follow throughout the duration of the project.
FEARS, EXPECTATIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS
We continued with fears, expectations, and contributions in the second session. In this game, each participant had to write a post-ed about fear, one about expectations, and one about contributions, which they had to stick on the respective flipchart of each. We then divided participants into three groups and they had 15 minutes to sort out what was written on the flipchart and present it. We continued with a team-building activity, wherein participants had to identify hidden bombs within squares drawn on the floor and traverse to the other side of the board. When participants were making a mistake with finding the bombs they had to start from the beginning of the board. They could not write down or take note of where the bombs were but they had to remember how the hidden bombs were sorted out by trial and error.
INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
During the third session, we had a spontaneous discussion on what is entrepreneurship, and an entrepreneurial mindset. We discussed the importance of investing in time to build a business and how a successful business should be able to run by itself. All participants made a small introduction on their entrepreneurial journeys and contributed with their expertise on the group.
YOUTH PASS ACTIVITY
In this activity, participants have been divided into eight groups. Around the workshop room, they were eight stations. Each station was about one Erasmus Plus Competence (e.g., Literacy, Multilingual, Mathematical, Digital, Personal and Learning to Learn, Citizenship, Entrepreneurship, and Cultural Awareness and Expression Competence). Participants with their teams received their Youth Pass portfolio and they had to go around the stations and complete a particular task out of three. For each task of a particular competence they completed, they were going to the "authorities" to receive confirmation through a stamp. To our surprise, most teams completed all the tasks. This was a way for them to understand that Youth Pass is not only about the certificate they receive but about the subjective way in which they develop. It has been given to them space in this way, to reflect on each competence through practical learning, collaboration, and fun.
7th of July 2023
SECOND DAY
ENTRECOMP CONCEPT
In this activity, participants have been introduced to ENTRECOMP, which under the Erasmus Framework describes entrepreneurship as a transversal competence, which can be applied by citizens to all spheres of life from nurturing personal development, to actively participating in society, too (re)entering the job market as an employee or as a self-employed person, and to start up ventures (cultural, social or commercial). ENTRECOMP can include green entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, digital, or social entrepreneurship. It consists of 3 sections with 5 competencies each (i.e., in sum 15 competencies). Participants were then tasked with compiling a list of the top 10 habits exhibited by successful individuals. They had to complete a worksheet on the top 10 habits exhibited by those and discuss how these habits could contribute to their own life. Due to the high divergence of habits between successful individuals, the conclusion was that habits although they play a role, the most important thing is competencies.
PERSONAL GUIDED REFLECTION
Later, during the second session, participants individually selected a picture that represented themselves, followed by a discussion wherein each participant explained the significance of their chosen image. Subsequently, participants were given time to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses by responding to a series of workbook questions. The personal questions have been related to business and how it is important to identify our strengths and values and turn them into the values of our business.
In the third session of the day, participants had the opportunity to calculate their own carbon footprint and engage in discussions concerning environmental sustainability. The last session of the day entailed preparing and discussing the challenges encountered within the participants' respective countries.
8th of July 2023
THIRD DAY
EXCURSION DAY
Free day at Porto: Porto or Oporto is the second-largest city in Portugal, the capital of the Oporto District, and one of the Iberian Peninsula's major urban areas. Oporto city proper, which is the entire municipality of Porto, is small compared to its metropolitan area, with an estimated population of just 231,800 people in a municipality with only 41.42 km2.Porto's metropolitan area has around 1.7 million people (2021) in an area of 2,395 km2 (925 sq mi), making it the second-largest urban area in Portugal. It is recognized as a global city with a Gamma + rating from the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.
Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Oporto is one of the oldest European centres, and its core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, as the "Historic Centre of Porto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar". The historic area is also a National Monument of Portugal. The western part of its urban area extends to the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Its settlement dates back many centuries when it was an outpost of the Roman Empire. Its combined Celtic-Latin name, Portus Cale, has been referred to as the origin of the name Portugal, based on transliteration and oral evolution from Latin. In Portuguese, the name of the city includes a definite article: o Porto ("the port" or "the harbor"), which is where its English name "Oporto" comes from.
9th of July 2023
FOURTH DAY
INTRO TO DESIGN THINKING
On Day 4 of our program, we delved into the world of Design Thinking, a powerful framework for fostering innovation and creativity. The participants were introduced to the five key stages of Design Thinking: Defining, Empathizing, Ideating, Prototyping, and Testing, which lay the foundation for crafting compelling business concepts.
To make the learning experience more interactive and collaborative, we divided the participants into seven smaller groups. Each group was tasked with creating a unique business concept that resonated with their interests and passions. To begin the process, they jotted down their preferred business idea on a piece of paper, and based on these preferences, we thoughtfully organized them into their respective groups.
The participants were then given dedicated time to focus on developing their business concepts, nurturing their ideas with creativity and potential. A crucial aspect of the Design Thinking process is understanding the end-users needs and preferences. To achieve this, each group was prompted to define their User Persona—a fictional representation of their target audience. By empathizing with their User Persona, they could identify specific pain points and requirements, laying the groundwork for a customer-centric approach.
Moving forward, the participants were guided to create comprehensive problem statements, enabling them to articulate the solutions they sought to offer to their User Persona. These problem statements acted as guiding beacons, ensuring their projects remained solution-oriented and relevant.
To enhance their understanding and empathy towards their User Persona, the participants were tasked with preparing a set of interview questions. By conducting two interviews with fellow participants who could embody their User Persona or closely empathize with them, they gained valuable insights and refined their business ideas further.
The day culminated in a productive and insightful discussion where each group presented their User Persona and shared the findings from the interviews. This open exchange of ideas encouraged cross-pollination of creativity and stimulated new perspectives, enriching the brainstorming process.
Through this engaging Design Thinking workshop, the participants embarked on a journey of innovative thinking, problem-solving, and empathetic understanding. These critical skills will serve as strong pillars for the development of robust and market-oriented business concepts.
INTERVIEW WITH A SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
During the final session of the day, we had the pleasure of welcoming a distinguished social entrepreneur as our guest speaker. The participants were provided with a valuable opportunity to engage with the speaker and ask insightful questions pertaining to the realm of social entrepreneurship.
Throughout the engaging discussion, the guest speaker emphasized the critical role of graphic design, marketing skills, and brand identity in the landscape of entrepreneurship. These aspects were highlighted as key components for fostering a strong and impactful presence in the competitive market.
Furthermore, the guest speaker underscored the significance of having a well-crafted website as the cornerstone of modern-day entrepreneurship. In the digital age, a website serves as an essential platform for reaching a broader audience, building credibility, and showcasing one's products or services effectively.
The session proved to be an enlightening experience, equipping the participants with essential insights and practical knowledge that can steer them towards success in their own social entrepreneurship endeavours.
10th of July 2023
FIFTH DAY
OFFICIAL RECEPTION AT THE CITY HALL
Our visit to the Paredes Town Hall was nothing short of an enriching experience that left a lasting impact on our entrepreneurial journey. The day commenced with an official reception, warmly welcoming us to the municipality. It provided a remarkable opportunity for the participants to engage with key stakeholders and share insights about our collective endeavours, shedding light on our objectives and methodologies.
The highlight of the visit was a dynamic and interactive workshop led by an expert in the field. The participants were divided into groups, and within the span of 40 minutes, they embarked on a venture of crafting their very own business ideas. This process involved brainstorming and creative thinking as they meticulously formulated the name, history, type of business (profit, non-profit, social enterprise, etc.), and the mission and vision of their hypothetical companies.
The ensuing moments were filled with enthusiasm as each group confidently presented their unique business concepts. The exchange of ideas and perspectives ignited a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration and learning, fostering a spirit of camaraderie among the participants.
To add a touch of excitement and engagement, a Google Form questionnaire was filled out by all, allowing us to vote for the most captivating idea. This element of friendly competition spurred the participants to put their best foot forward, showcasing their innovative and strategic thinking.
Golf Experience
We later embarked on an extraordinary adventure at the prestigious Aqueduct Golf Course Centre. The day took an exciting turn as we were offered a unique opportunity to explore the world of golf under the guidance of a seasoned professional. For many of the participants, this marked their very first encounter with the captivating sport.
The Aqueduct Golf Course proved to be an idyllic setting, boasting picturesque landscapes and lush greens that exuded tranquillity and elegance. As we stepped onto the course, we were greeted by the fresh scent of nature, and a sense of anticipation filled the air.
11th of July 2023
SIXTH DAY
BUSINESS FINALIZATION
The morning sessions of our sixth day were dedicated to a pivotal phase in our entrepreneurial journey – the transformation of participants' ideas into viable and sustainable businesses. This crucial stage provided the participants with a valuable opportunity to refine their business plans and breathe life into their innovative concepts. This also involved identifying their Unique Selling Point through competitor analysis. Participants also received feedback on how to turn their ideas into businesses in case their ideas were social ventures or looked mostly like the actions of non-profit organizations.
Business Canvas Model
During the second session, we led a discussion on the nine aspects of the Business Canvas Model. participants were introduced to the Business Canvas Model.
The Business Model Canvas is a powerful and widely used strategic tool that provides a concise and comprehensive framework for developing and analyzing business models. It consists of nine key building blocks, including Customer Segments, Value Propositions, Channels, Customer Relationships, Revenue Streams, Key Resources, Key Activities, Key Partnerships, and Cost Structure. Entrepreneurs and businesses utilize the Business Model Canvas to visualize and organize their business ideas, understand their value proposition, identify potential revenue streams, and assess the overall feasibility and sustainability of their ventures. This versatile tool fosters clarity, fosters creativity, and facilitates collaborative discussions, making it an invaluable asset for both startups and established enterprises aiming to innovate and succeed in today's dynamic business landscape.
During the discussion, we led into a comprehensive analysis of the nine key-building blocks with few participants adding in important information about each block. Participants had then time to create their own business canvas model for the business model they developed.
Prototyping
The third session centred around creating physical or conceptual prototypes for participants' businesses. A prototype is a tangible representation or a mock-up of a product, service, or idea that allows entrepreneurs to test and validate their concepts before fully developing them. It serves as an early version of the final product, offering a glimpse into its functionality, design, and user experience. By building prototypes, participants can gather valuable feedback, identify potential improvements, and make informed decisions about refining their business ideas. Prototyping is a vital step in the iterative process of innovation, enabling entrepreneurs to iterate, learn, and ultimately build successful and customer-centric solutions.
The activity continued with participants receiving some information about pitching and having to work on their pitch for the final session, which was a formal conference!
Business Conference
The day reached its pinnacle with a business conference, where participants gathered in formal attire to present their business ideas, showcasing the progress they had achieved during the program. The conference provided an atmosphere of professionalism and excitement as each group confidently pitched their innovative ideas to their peers.
To add an element of realism and engagement, a twist was introduced – the use of "fake money." Each participant received 150 euros, representing their investment potential. As active investors, the participants had the task of discerning the most promising business idea among their peers. They interviewed each group, seeking to understand their strategies, value propositions, and potential for growth.
12th of July 2023
SEVENTH DAY
FINAL DAY
In the morning session of the final day, we had a recap of the project. Participants were divided into 6 groups and they had to come up with an innovative way to present each day of the project. That is, each group had to represent one day, the first group, day one, the second group, day two, etc. We continued evaluation, dissemination-follow-up explanation, and secret friend ceremony. In the afternoon, we continued with our youthpass ceremony.
