<< Objectives >>The potentials of start-ups founded by migrants/ethnic minority background founders and their impact on the economic, social, and cultural life in Europe are undisputed – but unfortunately, this also applies to the hurdles they face. With the innovative resources of the INGROW project, we enable Adult Educators to address the specific challenges and impact on a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem and thus foster a more level playing field for migrant and ethnic minority background founders.<< Implementation >>Our approach is based on a sound analysis of the new skillset needed by migrants/ethnic minority background founders, compiled in a comprehensive Competence Framework that guides the development of our integrated set of resources. At the core of the approach is our innovative Knowledge Gap and Financing Readiness Assessment Web-APP, providing detailed feedback on personal knowledge gaps, linking to the resources and providing strategies to improve financing readiness for specific concepts.<< Results >>The overall objective of the INGROW Project is to increase the relevance and impact of Adult Entrepreneurship Education on migrant / ethnic minority background founders and their growth and innovation potentials – based on a contextualized and individualized learning approach. The project innovates entrepreneurship education for the target groups in general - but also creates very specific and individual support for concrete start-up concepts.

The EUROPEAN GREAN DEAL, promoting a fair and prosperous society, with a modern resource-efficient and competitive economy, and a climate neutral Europe in 2050, is the European response to tackle climate change and environmental-related challenges. The actions of companies and especially SMEs, accounting for 66% of private sector employment and approximately 60-70% of the industrial pollution in Europe have significant impacts in this regard. This applies to the products and services they offer, but also to working conditions, human rights, health, the environment, innovation, education and training as stated in the preamble of the EU Corporate Social Responsibility & Responsible Business Conduct. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the strategic, comprehensive and sustainable response from companies to address those issues. Even though CSR has been on the agenda for some years now, the implementation rate in SMEs is still alarmingly low and they are lagging far behind in responding to the justified demands of Civic Society. Many of them still believe, the topic is reserved for large companies, not being aware of the direct benefits but referring to the resources they consider necessary and the existing hurdles.The CSR-Ready project directly responds to the specificity of CSR implementation in SMEs and enables them to develop company specific strategies and measures based on a sound analysis of their specific impact areas and benefits, presented in a clear and easy-to-use CSR Scoreboard and accompanied by specific knowledge and tools needed to implement them. This innovative approach goes far beyond existing offers and initiatives and will lead to a higher implementation rate of CSR Strategies in SMEs in Europe. At the same time, future Entrepreneurs and StartUps are trained to implement CSR Strategies directly from the start – helping them to avoid future transition costs and allowing them to directly create CSR based competitive advantages. The project achieves a sustainable impact by directly supporting SMEs/ StartUps on the one hand and by professionalizing VET organizations, management consultants, entrepreneurship and SME support infrastructures and by providing first of its kind resources to be implemented into their curricula and services. We will build on the existing CSR theory and initially research on challenges and gaps explaining the low implementation rate in SMEs. Transferable studies on this subject area do not yet exist. Based on this, we will develop an interactive App-based CSR-Readiness Analysis Tool, leading to a company specific Scoreboard providing actionable strategy approaches and the specific learning resources. To guarantee the widest possible use, we involve VET organisations, trainers, consultants and support structures (incubators, chambers e.g.) in our work and enable them to update their services and trainings to real world needs.Specifically, we will:1) Identify the most relevant challenges, impact areas and best practices (IO1)2) Develop an innovative VET-Package providing curricula, learning resources and training materials to be implemented into the service provisions and trainings offered by VET, HEI and Entrepreneurship/SME support structures3) Develop an interactive CSR Readiness Analysis Tool Scoreboard (IO3) that enables SMEs to identify their specific CSR-Readiness, the Impact areas and actionable measures and provides the specific knowledge and tools to implement them4) To ensure wide and free access, all produced resources will be adopted as OERs and combined with a large variety of additional information on our interactive knowledge exchange platform (IO4)In doing so, the project addresses the following needs of our target groups and will create sustainable impact for them:a) SMEs and future entrepreneurs gain a profound understanding of the importance of CSR and are enabled to implement specific strategies b) VET organisations, trainers, consultants and support structures (e.g. chambers, incubators) are put in a position to update and professionalize their services and increase their impactc) By enabling companies to meet their social and environmental responsibilities while at the same time sustain their business, we make a sustainable contribution to improve the social, ecologic AND economic footprint of the European SME sector d) Project partners will acquire new strategies, tools and methods for improving the effectiveness of their services. They will improve their own competences in knowledge sharing and strategic relationship building and have a clear understanding of how to sustain and grow the project in the long term.The CSR-Ready project therefore is in line with the goals of the European Green Deal and will impact on the achievement of its objectives by increasing the implementation rate of CSR in SMEs and thus improving the social, ecologic AND economic footprint of the SME sector in Europe.

<< Objectives >>DARE OVERREACHING OBJECTIVE: To tackle labour market shortages by promoting a more inclusive and diverse European Economy by enabling VET Professionals to train SMEs in diversity-oriented organisational development to engage marginalized and discriminated groups in a more inclusive labour market.<< Implementation >>Our methodology is based on an in-depth competency framework that supports the development of our comprehensive training resources. The approach's core is our Innovative Assessment Web-App, which can be used directly by VET providers, trainers, and SMEs. It analyses knowledge gaps and the diversity readiness of SMEs, provides detailed feedback and strategy approaches, and links to exactly those specific resources on our interactive Knowledge Hub to close the knowledge gaps.<< Results >>- Development of a novel COMPETENCE FRAMEWORK and CURRICULUM (WP2)- TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS (WP3) to match the skills and knowledge gaps, designed to be accessible, inclusive, culture and gender sensitive, equipped with case studies and background materials and published also as OERs on an INTERACTIVE KNOWLEDGE HUB that also allows for social learning and peer to peer exchange and - an innovative INTERACTIVE DIVERSITY READINESS ASSESSMENT APP (WP4) and dissemination activities (WP5)

ERASMI will enable the diverse stakeholder groups in the field of migration and refugee inclusion work (amongst them e.g. community administration, public and private migrant support organisations, NGOs, VET, HEI, business organisations, volunteer groups etc.) to professionalise their staff and their organisations in order to effectuate their impact on social inclusion and will empower them to build strong multi-actor networks developing and implementing regional action plans for social inclusion of migrants and refugees.Neither the topic of migration nor the debate about it is any new – but it has agitated Europe since the climax of the so-called refugee crisis in 2015 without any sign of easing in the discussion so far. The often-populist discourse lacks rational and conceals the view on the actual facts. In the current global context, our ability to effectively integrate refugees into new host communities remains a major challenge and political priority. Building on the framework of EU-Policies and the European Agenda on Migration, the actual inclusion work is a regional social task, that cannot be a single player tournament for administration and politics. It needs to be challenged involving all relevant regional stakeholders and actors. In fact it is a regional, cross-sectional, multidimensional and multi-actor challenge - with an extraordinary high level of complexity.Municipalities already understand this and react with strategic approaches towards social inclusion. But aspiration differs from reality in a dramatic way. Yet despite the willingness of communities, a recent study reveals that innovative participation concepts and multi-stakeholder-approaches are still the exception rather than the rule (Success factors of Integration on municipal level - Friedrich Ebert Stiftung 2017).Based on our work in previous projects and our involvement in a large number of inclusion initiatives, we experience a strong demand for VET-training and learning opportunities for the staff members of inclusion actors and for organisational development. Therefore, we will build on the critical success factors for inclusion of migrants and refugees (and the corresponding skills needed) by providing best practice approaches and by developing E- and Peer-Learning Opportunities for the relevant actors (and their staff) in the field of migrant support in order to effectively equip them with the skills needed to solve complex multi-actor challenges and by building strong multi-actor networks working on concrete regional action plans for social inclusion. Specifically we will: 1-Provide actors with best practice (collaboration) blueprints in the field of multi-actor migrants and refugee inclusion (IO1)2-Develop an innovative learning framework and toolkit (IO2) empowering actors to enhance the impact of their social work. 3-Enable and empower actors to improve collaborative planning and coordination of education activities in Interagency Networks with regional action plans for social inclusion (IO3)4-To ensure wide and free access, the framework and the documented processes and lessons learned from the networks will be shared on our interactive knowledge exchange platform as OERs (IO4)In doing so, the project addresses the following needs of our target groups and will create sustainable impact for them: a) Actors / stakeholders in the field of migrant and refugee inclusion will gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of collaboration and the tools and methods needed to establish regional networks and to develop and implement action plans for inclusion.b) Social development policy makers and funders will identify high performing best practice strategies and find tangible ways to support their uptake at national or international level.c) Project partners will acquire new strategies, tools and methods for improving the effectiveness of integration and social inclusion. They will improve their own competences in knowledge sharing and strategic relationship building and have a clear understanding of how to sustain and grow the project in the long term.d) Refugees / migrants will indirectly profit from the regional cooperation, the uptake of professionalism as well as the synergies and released resources of actors - leading to a faster and deeper inclusion.By implementing this approach in countries, that are strongly affected by inward migration (Germany, Ireland, Italy) and in Turkey, being the first reception and transit country for many refugees and migrants and by disseminating the ERASMI resources across Europe, the project makes a notable contribution to improve the inclusion of the most vulnerable in society. The project is important because we need to ensure communities are strengthened by migration and not undermined by marginalization or radicalization. We believe this can be achieved best, through empowering those who already understand this importance and by building strong networks.

<< 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.