<< Background >>Around 150,000 failed business successions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) per year in Europe put approximately 600,000 jobs at risk – corresponding to a failure rate of about 1/3, with a high number of unreported cases. This leads to an enormous loss not only of jobs, but also in terms of innovation and growth potential, and is affecting structurally weak regions in particular. The reasons for this lie in the complexity of succession processes that affect numerous stakeholders, must consider different perspectives, and require extensive knowledge in different fields.To increase the likelihood of succession processes succeeding, both the key stakeholders of the SMEs and the potential successors must first be enabled to analyse their respective Succession Readiness and to identify knowledge gaps and weaknesses, and then need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to best prepare and implement the succession process.Even though the topic has been on the agenda for some time and is addressed in different project approaches, this has not had any significant influence on the high failure rate in the past.Research on existing support approaches and trainings for the target groups has shown that they are often generic in nature and should be complemented by new innovative offers that take into account situational conditions in particular.This is where the SUCCESSION READY project comes in. Our consortium is composed of different stakeholders of succession processes and unites Chambers of Commerce, Business Development Centres, Entrepreneurship and SME Succession Expertise and Target Group Reach.All partners work with the relevant target groups on a daily basis and experience their challenges and needs first-hand. Together with selected members of the target groups and several associated partners (e.g. Chambers, Consultants, Business Development Centres, Entrepreneurship education – hereafter collectively referred to as the VET sector), we have developed a holistic and situational approach that takes into account the different needs of the target groups and is able to sustainably increase the probability of successful succession and thus will impact on the extremely high failure rate of succession in SMEs. Existing services and projects are not in competition with our approach. On the contrary, we have developed an innovative, complementary concept that enables the VET Sector to integrate our innovative analysis app and our comprehensive training courses into their existing services.In summary, we address the following needs of the target groups: - VET Sector: Providers of training and consultancy for SMEs and successors, need to be equipped with in-depth knowledge of the specific challenges of succession processes, and need access to comprehensive course programmes and holistic toolboxes. In order to contextualise their existing offers, they also need to be provided with analysis tools that enable them to focus their advice on the actual, individual case and to accompany the processes accordingly.- SME Stakeholder (owner/key staff) must be enabled to analyse their current succession readiness, uncover weaknesses and need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and appropriate tools to plan the succession process early and comprehensively and implement it professionally.- Potential successors need to be prepared both for the succession process and for their future role as owners and managers.- Policy and Administration need up-to-date and well-founded knowledge about the challenges of SMEs and successors in order to be able to develop appropriate frameworks and policies to support those important target groups specifically.<< Objectives >>The overall objective of the SUCCESSION READY Project is to generate a sustainable impact on the extremely high failure rate of succession processes in SMEs in Europe.To achieve this, we have implemented various impact workshops in our consortium together with members of the different target groups and developed an impact model that addresses the challenges and needs of the target groups on several levels.Succession processes are complex and highly dependent on the respective situational circumstances. These include, for example, regional economic structures, the knowledge and competencies of the persons involved, or the organisational characteristics of the respective SME. Generic training courses are not sufficient to increase the chances of succession processes succeeding - individual approaches are needed and the VET sector is particularly qualified to implement those. VET actors (e.g. Chambers, Business Development Centres, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem) are typically very well linked to the stakeholders involved and know the regional structures and the companies concerned. The VET sector is therefore at the centre of our Impact Model. To achieve the most direct, substantial, and sustainable impact, we also believe it is necessary to address SMEs and potential successors directly.To achieve the objective of generating impact on the failure rate of succession processes, we will develop 5 complementary results: R1: SUCCESSION READY Challenge Analysis and Competence FrameworkR2: SUCCESSION READY SME PackageR3: SUCCESSION READY Successor PackageR4: SUCCESSION READY Knowledge Hub and OERsR5: SUCCESSION READY Assessment Application and Feedback GeneratorIn order to create sustainable knowledge and behavioural impacts among the target groups, we used the ADKAR model (a well suited change management approach) to conceptualize the project and design the results (see attached). Using this model, we want to realize following specific achievements:A)Raise AWARENESS: We consider it important and necessary to further increase the importance of the topic of succession in SMEs and in particular the need for comprehensive and professional preparation and implementation of succession processes among all direct and indirect target groups (VET, SMEs, successors, policy, wider stakeholders). D)Create DESIRE: We will translate the awareness about the importance of the topic to a real desire to implement our resources and results into training and service provisions of the VET Sector / to the willingness of SMEs and potential successors to actually start preparation for the process. We will achieve this especially based on the promotion of best practice approaches and case studies that explain both the importance and the meaningfulness of our resources.K) Provide KNOWLEDGE: We will provide the VET sector with comprehensive training resources and the knowledge needed to integrate the topic of succession into their offerings and best prepare SMEs and successors for the process. For the end users, we will prepare the knowledge as OERs and modular, self-directed learning courses to enable them to acquire the necessary competencies themselves.A) Create ABILITY: To support the adaptation and integration of the resources, we provide a comprehensive VET TRANSFER PACKAGE. Our interactive assessment APP also enables a precise analysis of the succession readiness of SMEs and successors and enables them to identify and close knowledge gaps in a targeted manner. The APP also enables the VET sector to individualise and contextualise their advisory services.R) REINFORCE learning: Reinforcing and perpetuating learning through Peer-to-Peer exchange and continuous updates of our resources on our Knowledge Hub.This integrated approach goes far beyond existing offerings and addresses the needs and challenges of all target groups, increases the succession readiness of both, SMEs and Successors and thus increases the likelihood of succession.<< Implementation >>SUCCESSION READY will lead to direct benefit to the target groups, partners, and wider stakeholders, which will then translate into long term impact. To achieve this, we will produce 5 tangible results - supported by transversal activities, grouped into 5 Work Packages running throughout the project and serving as catalysts to ensure both, knowledge, and behaviour outcomes.RESULTS DEVELOPMENT:The results will be developed sequentially, and partners build on the content developed in precious resources:R1: The SUCCESSION READY Challenge Analysis and Competence Framework is an introductory and practical resource that provides the necessary knowledge about the challenges faced by the stakeholders and the competencies needed to overcome them. R2+R3: The SUCCESSION READY SME and Successor Packages are comprehensive training courses and toolboxes that provide the necessary knowledge to prepare and implement succession processes in the best possible way. In order to facilitate implementation in the VET sector, both come with a comprehensive VET TRANSFER PACKAGE.R4: Our SUCCESSION READY Knowledge Hub processes the course materials as OERs for self-study, provides extensive additional materials and connects the target groups on an interactive platform.R5: The SUCCESSION READY Assessment Application and Feedback Generator allows to analyse the succession readiness of SMEs and successors, identify knowledge gaps and weaknesses and generates comprehensive feedback and direct links to relevant resources.For each of the Results we have developed a work plan and assigned tasks to the partners. The tasks are grouped into the following activity categories in all Results:- Preparation Activities: The respective Result Leader develops a specific work plan and outline for implementation. Preparation activities include, for example, desktop research, development of methodologies, questionnaires, templates etc.- Implementation Activities: The implementation of the result development is carried out jointly in the consortium. Examples of activities include conducting regional interviews, developing learning resources or programming the web APP.- User Testing Activities:All our results are subject to intensive user testing with the target groups and experts. The basic methodology is based on our quality management strategy and is then operationalised for the respective result. To include as many perspectives as possible, user testing is always carried out in all partner countries and is summarised in an overall report.- Finalisation: The result leader finalises the result based on the user testing report. The partners translate the resources into their respective national languages.The results will be showcased to all our direct and indirect target groups in 5 professional multiplier events aiming to demonstrate the relevance and usefulness of the resources produced.WORK PACKAGE OVERVIEW:WP1 - Project Management includes all project management activities and ensuring formal, timely and high-quality project implementation. WP2 - Transnational Partner Meetings: 5 transnational project meetings were scheduled to correspond to key milestones of the project - supported by monthly progress calls to monitor the progress of the project. WP3 - Quality Management and Evaluation includes all activities and measures to assure that the project produces high quality resources and addresses target groups needs. WP4 - Share and Promote: Covers all activities to disseminate our project results to our target groups and to generate as much attention as possible for the topic and the project. WP5 - Sustainability and Exploitation: To ensure the sustainable use of project results, we start our sustainability strategy at the beginning of the project and scheduled 4 sustainability workshops, where we also integrate external experts to include outside perspectives.<< Results >>On completion, the project will have produced the linkages, knowledge, and resources to enable our direct (VET, SMEs, Successors) and indirect target groups (Policy, public) to1. gain in-depth knowledge on succession processes, challenges, and best practices (all target groups)2. adapt and integrate our training resources for SMEs and Successors (VET)3. individualise generic trainings/services by integrating our assessment web APP (VET)4. analyse the specific succession readiness, identify knowledge gaps and weaknesses using the APP (SMEs/Successors)5. close knowledge gaps and weaknesses based on the individual feedback generated and the tools and resources provided (SMEs/Successors)6. interact and exchange with Peers (all target groups)7. align policies to the needs of the target groups (Policy)8. increase the likelihood of successful succession processes (all)9.impact on the failure rate of succession processes and secure job and innovation potentials.To achieve those outcomes, 5 tangible results will be developed in sequential order and published open for further use and as barrier free as technically possible. Results can each be used independently, but are designed to be cumulative and are based on Bloom’s revised taxonomy, leading to positive changes in both knowledge and attitudes.R1: CHALLENGE ANALYSIS AND COMPETENCE FRAMEWORK fills research gaps on specific challenges for both, SMEs, and successors, outlines the framework for the subsequent results, provides case studies and best practice approaches and especially serves as a policy report allowing Policy Makers to align policies and support to the needs of the target groups. 20 Experts, 20 SMEs and 10 Successors will be integrated into the development of R1, 20 Experts into user testing and 200 will receive or download the framework.R2: SUCCESSION READY SME PACKAGE provides comprehensive training for SMEs Owner/Managers and the specific tools needed to become succession ready and to plan and implement succession processes. 20 SMEs and 20 Experts will use and test the resources and 200 will receive or download the course.R3: SUCCESSION READY SUCCESSOR PACKAGE allows the potential successor to optimally prepare for both, the succession process, and their upcoming tasks in their new role as future owner of the company. 10 Successors and 20 Experts will use and test the resources and 200 will receive or download the course.Both Result 2 and Result 3 will be accompanied with a VET PACKAGE (incl. Curricula, Trainer Guides, Students Workbooks and Background knowledge) allowing VET Providers to easily adapt and integrate the resources into their existing services.R4: SUCCESSION READY KNOWLEDGE HUB AND OERS - to ensure wide and free access, all produced resources will be adapted as OERs and combined with a wealth of additional resources, curated sources on an interactive Knowledge Hub. The platform will also allow direct Peer-to-Peer networking and exchange between SMEs, Successors and the VET Sector. 100 users will register on the platform and 2,000 users will interact with the knowledge resources.R5: SUCCESSION READY ASSESSMENT APPLICATION is a web-app combining the perspectives of both, SMEs, and successors – being enabled to assess their specific succession readiness, uncovering knowledge gaps and weaknesses, and providing specific feedback, knowledge resources and tools to close the knowledge gaps in order to achieve succession readiness. 10 SMEs, 10 Successors and 10 Experts will use and test the APP and 200 assessments will be taken during project duration.As a result, this integrated approach will lead to a broad use of our resources by all relevant target groups, improve the service offerings of the VET sector, increase the direct likelihood of successful succession processes and have a sustainable impact on strengthening the SME sector in general.

The consequences of the Covid-19 virus for the tourism industry in the EU cannot at present be accurately assessed - but it is clear, that they will be devastating. The tourism sector is especially vulnerable to crisis (Hall/Williams 2019). T-CRISIS-NAV will enable HEIs to educate existing SMEs and future entrepreneurs in the tourism sector to gain the skills and tools needed to successfully navigate their business through a virulent crisis. They will be fully equipped with the knowledge and actionable tools to analyse the specific extent of crisis impact and develop suitable countermeasures and navigate their company safely through the crisis. A topic that has never been as important as now – especially with COVID-19 but also Brexit threatening this significant industry in an unparalleled scale. In order to achieve a sustainable effect, we focus not only on HEI but also on SMEs and VET tourism networks and the areas that educate and train future managers, employees and entrepreneurs in the tourism sector. As tourism industry is characterised by an above-average proportion of SMEs, and as these are at the same time particularly vulnerable but also innovative, our work has an effect not only in terms of securing jobs but also on the innovative strength of the entire industry. This is especially true regarding sustainable tourism approaches.Experts cannot accurately estimate the impact of the current crisis on tourism. What is clear, however, is that the extent will be exorbitant. Transport, hospitality , entertainment and related sectors such as taxi drivers will feel the effects for months, if not years, and hundreds of thousands, if not millions of jobs throughout Europe will be threatened. The following statistics illustrate the importance of the sector for the European economy and show what effects the current crisis can have:- in 2018, the sector contributed €782 billion and 14.4 million jobs in Europe- Every year, EU residents take more than a billion vacation trips- 35% of the world’s global tourism expenditure is generated from the EU- Europe accounts for 50% of the world’s tourist arrivals and 37% of global tourismAll these figures are currently just a not so distant memory and will only recover slowly in the mid to long term - resulting in a constant threat to the predominantly small and medium-sized companies in the sector. While on the one hand short-term support measures are necessary from the political side, current and future entrepreneurs, start-ups and employees in the sector urgently need to be trained in strategic and operational crisis management, adaptive leadership and crisis resilience.Based on our daily experience and many projects with HEI, VET, consultants and support infrastructures, we are realising a great demand for this topic area. Therefore, we build on our existing knowledge with regard to crisis management, turnaround, curricula development and innovative learning content design and fill existing research GAPs with regard to crisis management and needs of SMEs in the tourism sector. Building on this, we will develop an up to date HEI curricula, an actionable VET-Training package, a set of open educational resources addressing SMEs and StartUps and an innovative learning app: all helping to put existing and future owner/managers in tourism SMEs to gain the knowledge and management competencies to navigate their company through the virulent crisis and to become more crises resilient in the future. Specifically, we will:1-Identify the challenges and needs of tourism SMEs in crisis (IO1)2-Develop innovative curricula and learning frameworks for HEI (IO2) and VET in order to train future generations of tourism executives, SMEs and StartUps and equip existing SMEs with the tools, competencies and frameworks to navigate their companies through a virulent crisis (IO3)4-Develop an innovative learning APP and knowledge platform to ensure wide and free access, of all produced resources (IO4)In doing so, the project addresses the following needs of our target groups and will create sustainable impact for them:a) SME Owners/managers and future entrepreneurs develop the necessary crisis management and adaptive leadership competencies and are enabled to take appropriate countermeasuresb) HEI and VET organisations, trainers, management consultants and support structures such as chambers or incubators are put in a position to sustainably professionalise their services and increase their impactc) By enabling companies to safely navigate through the crisis. we make a sustainable contribution to securing jobs at regional level. Against the background of networked value chains, this strengthens the resilience of the EU tourism sector

EMINENT addresses two key priorities in the EU: Social inclusion of migrants and increasing the number of female entrepreneurs. The contribution of migrant entrepreneurs is something that is becoming more widely recognized, as issues surrounding immigration become frequent and topical points for discussion. However, the important contribution of female migrant entrepreneurs is a factor that is mostly overlooked.The UK, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands are among the countries that have introduced measures to improve the institutional framework for female enterprise – but much more needs to be done especially to overcome the specific individual barriers for female migrants. This applies especially as those countries are among the countries that show above-average numbers of migrants and refugees. The problem is that our VET institutions are ill-equipped to do so: most are unspecialized in the specific strategies that are shown to work best with female migrant entrepreneurs and their staff are especially not trained to implement appropriate culture-sensitive teaching methods.In this context, EMINENT has a clear goal: increase the number of female migrant entrepreneurs by transforming their access to and the quality of the training they receive from entrepreneurship VET institutions. To do so, we will: a) Develop a Compendium of Good Practice presenting good practice on engaging with women from minority groups and culturally appropriate and effective pedagogical techniquesb) Create, publish and trial a Curriculum and Classroom Course that provides the knowledge and skills needed for female entrepreneurs to gain the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to establish and successfully run their own businessc) Create an interactive knowledge platform acting as a multi-dimensional learning hub and exchange platform for female migrant entrepreneurs, VET and stakeholdersd) Design and implement innovative learning placements for 20 female migrants with start-up potential in successful (preferably female led) businesses.The project methodology is highly participative at all stages, involving our three main target groups (training providers such as enterprise centres, colleges and incubators; female migrant entrepreneurs and wider stakeholders) in the following ways: - At least 20 female migrants will participate in the pilot testing of the classroom course- At least 20 female migrants will participate in the EMINENT Placement Programme- At least 60 female migrants will participate in the trial of the Interactive Learning Platform and OERs- At least 35 experts in (female) migrant support and professional entrepreneurship teachers and trainers will be deeply involved in the resource development and testing. - At least 135 representatives of stakeholder organizations will participate in multiplier events. - Approximately 7,500 individuals will engage with the interactive online platform with OER.Thanks to improved exposure/availability and improved quality of entrepreneurship education opportunities, EMINENT will generate an increase in the overall number of potential and existing female migrant entrepreneurs engaged in continuing VET and it is more likely that early stage female migrant entrepreneurs grow their ideas into successful enterprises in the short term.As a result of the EMINENT educational resources, managers, teachers and trainers in VET institutions will overcome existing bias, update their own skills and modify service provision in their institutions to be more inclusive and better support female migrant entrepreneurs. At regional level, the project will create a more enabling environment for female migrant entrepreneurs and generate the knowledge sharing and feedback loops which will contribute to ongoing improvement and the development of further initiatives.(Female) migrant inclusion and female entrepreneurship are a particularly important areas of focus across Europe. For this reason, we believe EMINENT will not only generate significant impact at local level but will capture the attention of policy makers and actors further up the ladder nationally and across Europe. In addition, the project has been designed to respond to a genuine need experienced by partner organizations and their counterparts in the vocational education, entrepreneurship support and economic development, all of whom have a vested interest in using the outputs and sustaining the impacts in the long term.

<< Objectives >>The project objective is to increase the sense of initiative and entrepreneurial competences of young people so that they can better achieve their goals in work and life. This involves developing the Experiential Entrepreneurship Labs model, equipping youth educators with the motivation, knowledge, skills and resources to implement it and sharing the results so that more youth-serving organisations can use the approach.<< Implementation >>We will implement 4 main activitiesDevelop the Experiential Entrepreneurship Starter Kit, a publication that introduces the experiential approach via review of up-to-date studies, guidance on tools and strategies to implement it and good practice. Create the Experiential Entrepreneurship Labs (EELs) Model - a set of OERs and Digital HubRun a series of 8 Experiential Entrepreneurship LabsUndertake Sharing and sustainability activities including 6 showcases and learning events<< Results >>The development of Experiential Entrepreneurship Labs will improve youth entrepreneurship as over 240 young people will take part in immersive events to strengthen the entrepreneurship competences through practical problem solving and teamwork.To achieve this, we will work with youth educators to help them innovate in their teaching. As a result, the project contributes to broader innovation in youth entrepreneurship education to engage young people in entrepreneurial competence development

<< Objectives >>With the Fairpreneurs project we want to combat youth unemployment and facilitate social participation as well as promote socially and environmentally sustainable entrepreneurship by enabling Youth Educators to train young entrepreneurs to start a fair and sustainable business while addressing their specific challenges. Our innovative resources will contribute to a more sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem, and thus to a fairer, more inclusive and greener economy.<< Implementation >>Through extensive desk and field research, including interviews with target groups and beneficiaries, we will create a case study compendium illustrating sustainable business practices. The research results will also be used to create a curriculum that will serve as the basis for the creation of a training package, including OER, and for the development of our Fairpreneurs Business Assessment which evaluates the SDG-Readiness of start-up concepts and generates comprehensive personalised feedback<< Results >>With the project, we will increase the relevance and impact of Youth Entrepreneurship Education by providing Educators with modular, flexible and innovative training materials, that enable them to exploit their potential impact on a more sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing learning opportunities to visionaries and thus foster a more level playing field for young people. By doing so, our project corresponds to the EU Digital Education Action Plan and the European Youth Strategy.