(see above)

Advancing Rural Development through Entrepreneurship Education for AdultsProject backgroundRural depopulation is becoming a major policy challenge in Europe as the population and employment have become increasingly concentrated in the urban centres and rural regions showing an ever-continuing downfall in terms of the population size. Further pressing challenges in rural areas include risk of poverty and social exclusion, and raising unemployment rates. (EC,2018). Concomitant with these challenges, ARDENT project is targeted to Adult learners in the rural communities (aged 25 and over) of various professional backgrounds possessing some formal education but currently unemployed*. It aims at improving the transfer of competences from HEIs in the sense of lifelong further learning to the Adult communities in Rural areas, to seed in them the basis to become job creators and not job seekers. Through a Community-Based Learning approach to entrepreneurial skills development among adult learners, ARDENT seek to integrate them into a process where they need to generate creative solutions to real-life challenges of rural communities. In this way, the university is able to engage with the society and achieve synergies through lifelong learning in the form of entrepreneurship to promote rural development. To support this change, ARDENT will:(I) foster development of entrepreneurship skills among adult learners targeted at rural development (II) increase engagement and activities of the HEIs within their local environment through their continuing education offers in the form of lifelong learning (III) boost attractiveness of rural regions among youth and urban communities, by creating new employment opportunities (IV) improve the quality of services in the rural regions, bringing in innovative solutions to increase quality of life (VI) widely disseminate the results across Europe, to bolster integration of rural entrepreneurship and collaboration practices in HEI curriculum.Project approach and outputsDuring its lifetime, ARDENT project will launch 5 rural councils in partner regions, analyse needs, and accordingly design and implement the Rural Entrepreneurship teaching program at partner HEIs, carry out 20 rural entrepreneurship adult student projects in respective regions, and increase capacity by offering workshops to rural communities and by expanding their networks and interaction with their urban counterparts. This will include producing 4 main intellectual outputs: IO1 – Rural Council Building Tool Box with an objective to create 5 rural councils, unifying the region and enabling cross-institutional collaboration.IO2 – Rural Consultation Roadmap & Needs Analysis Reports with an objective to (1) identify the rural needs and bridge the divide between the HEI and its regional community through regional consultation events that require innovative solutionsIO3 - Rural Entrepreneurship Community-based Learning Pack, a two-semester training course which will develop relevant entrepreneurial skills through developing a minimum of 3 entrepreneurial concepts addressing societal and business challenges. The ideas will be pitched to the community and implemented by the students. IO4 – ARDENT Rural Knowledge Port, to facilitate the interaction, sharing of ideas and resources, function as a knowledge repository and be the backbone of the education program, we will develop an online knowledge port to also allow us to scale the project beyond its current size. The outputs will foster: (i) entrepreneurial skills development among adult learners (125 adult learners, 25 academics from all regions attended/ participated in the challenge program).(ii) improvement in entrepreneurship lifelong learning offers at HEIs (the course program integrated into partner HEI adult educational offers) (iii) economic and social development in the rural areas where the project partner organisations/HEIs are located (45+ local businesses/ community members will attend the workshops at national launch events, 20 student projects will be implemented, involved rural populations will benefit from the improvements in social and cultural life)(vi) strengthened relationships between HEIs and their rural communities, through national events, online networks, and e-mail dissemination (2,500+ partner HEI and UIIN contact database)(v) launch of Rural Knowledge Port that will contain project outputs, 200+ self-learning materials as OERs, as well as the rural-urban network database of 100+ rural and urban businesses, NGOs, and other relevant organisations from each region (vi) extensive dissemination of the project process and results among other EU regions where rural development is recognised as a priority (5 national launches and 1 international showcase event)

"BACKGROUNDIn recent years, European policymakers have increasingly called for action to renew the prevailing education models by opening up education in the European Union member states. Two competencies have been identified as vital for opening up in education: digital competencies and entrepreneurship competencies. Both are among the eight key competencies mentioned by the EC. OBJECTIVE OF ISGEE PROJECT The goal of the ISGEE project was to develop both the entrepreneurship and the digital competencies of HEI students. The project’s central component is a new online digital serious game (Entrepoly) that aims to foster entrepreneurship competencies. Entrepoly is unique compared to other similar games on the market, as it was created specifically with the aim of making it easier to adapt it to higher education. ACTIVITIESDuring the course of the ISGEE project, we assumed that in order to make a meaningful impact on HEI students, HEI instructors should be reached, since Entrepoly can only be introduced in the classes with their cooperation. Therefore, we placed special emphasis on the continuous involvement of HEI teachers and HEI students. As a first step, we have explored the needs of teachers and students for educational games. Based on these, we started to develop Entrepoly, which instead of the traditional tabular-looking solution for educational games has become a much more spectacular role-playing game, where the listener roams the field with one character. Within Entrepoly, we have created 4 different types of games (the ""house"" in the game) that develop different entrepreneurial competencies – we used the EU EntreComp Framework as the basis for the entrepreneurial competencies to be developed. During the development, we continuously carried out tests, both among students and instructors. We created Entrepoly so that its specific content can be customized through a teacher's platform, as intended by the instructor, and student performance can be monitored – all completely for free of charge. An Adaptation Handbook is available for the game's classroom adaptation. During the project, we also tried to reach out to the instructors for whom gamification is still a novelty, so we have put together a Teaching Toolkit to demonstrate the applicability of gamification for educational purposes. In addition, we have created a platform for collecting other games developing entrepreneurial skills, so that the more dedicated instructors can choose from other opportunities – already on the market – besides Entrepoly. RESULTSENTREPOLY GAME: A freeware role-play type online digital serious game that can be used to develop the entrepreneurship competencies of higher education students. The direct target group for the game is HEI lecturers who can rely on this new, easy-to-use, and customizable technique to expand the education methodology in their courses. ENTREPOLY ADAPTATION HANDBOOK: The handbook gives guidance on implementing the Entrepoly game and using the teacher’s platform to customize game content. TEACHING TOOLKIT FOR USING GAMIFICATION IN EDUCATION: The toolkit is a general guideline for the educational use of gamification specifically for the use of these solutions in the development in entrepreneurship competencies. This toolkit can be useful to reach, motivate and integrate those HEI educators who are just started to get in touch with gamification methods. COLLECTION AND EVALUATION OF EXISTING GAMES: A good practice suite for the implementation of serious games and gamification techniques in entrepreneurship education. This online platform is a summary that contains clearly practical and ready-to-use solutions and an evaluation methodology about available serious games that may be adapted to the development of entrepreneurship competencies at HEIs.IMPACTDuring the ISGEE project, we placed a strong emphasis on involving participants as widely as possible from outside the partnership. As a result of this, we managed to join a large European education project, EUGLOH, where students from four countries tested Entrepoly. The University of Porto joined our project as an associate partner, while Nottingham Trent University joined as a testing partner. Thanks to all these, 100+ instructors and 1000+ students from 10+ countries (From Brazil to Mongolia) were able to try Entrepoly, so we can say that the international impact of the project is quite determining. PARTICIPANTS • University of Szeged, Hungary – lead partner, experienced in entrepreneurship education • West University of Timisoara, Romania – experienced in serious game development • VSB Economics University of Ostrava, Czech Republic – experienced in novel teaching methods • Univations, Germany – experienced in entrepreneurship education • Stucom, Spain – experienced in implementing digital gamification in the field of education • SC Expertissa, Romania – IT company with experience in serious game development"

The need for acquiring entrepreneurial and digital competences is not limited to learners seeking careers as commercial entrepreneurs or as employees within the IT sector, but rather extends to “all walks of life” as EU policy makers have repeatedly emphasized [1,2,3,4]. Consequently, the importance of entrepreneurship education (EE) and digital education (DE) as integral part within university studies has been prioritised in recent years [4,5]. Despite those recognised needs on the policy side, attention given to EE and DE in higher education (HE) programmes still remains rather elusive [6,7]. In fact, the Covid 19 pandemic merciless shows that DE, in particular, requires a place at the nucleus of academia and cannot be dealt with as side issue at the dawn of the digital age [4].Ultimately, existing shortcomings with regards to EE and DE within HE causes a sub-optimal exploitation of entrepreneurial potentials as well as a substandard deployment of digital technologies at later stage of careers (in academia or world of work outside HE).Our project “Ulysses Contest – Digital Student Competition on Family Business” (ULYSSES) has been designed to address these deficits. It focuses on university students that are keen to gather practical entrepreneurial learning experiences and want to enhance their digital skills. ULYSSES will provide this combined chance by setting up the 1st digital European student competition that focuses explicitly on family businesses (FB).To put this into practice, sustainable and regional university-industry interaction networks will be built that input well-prepared, complex, and real business challenges into the Ulysses Contest (IO1, IO2, IO4). The competition is based on an innovative virtual learning and teaching platform (IO3) that will be tailored to the functional needs of the contest, as well as to the individual user/target groups (students, educators, family business stakeholder) requirements.As such, ULYSSES will drive change for the benefit of a new form of digital entrepreneurship education within the involved partner institutions and beyond. Moreover, ULYSSES will:a) Propagate the exploitation of the European Frameworks on Digital Competences (DigComp) and Entrepreneurship Competence (EntreComp) inside HEb) Develop scalable online open-educational resources that focus on fostering digital and entrepreneurship competencesc) Catalyse digital readiness and entrepreneurial competence deliverance of involved students and educators Despite demonstrating resilience, optimism and agility, most family businesses have been exposed to unseen health, safety, and welfare challenges by the COVID-19 pandemic by severe disruptions to their core operations. We believe Erasmus+ projects can have a limited impact for mitigating effects of Covid 19. The Ulysses Contest may help by:d) (Re-)vitalising and strengthening industry-university interactions,e) Finding practical solutions to pressing business problems,f) Raising awareness for challenges and skill requirements of FB among academia,g) Introducing FB to a talented pool of potential employees,h) Creating exchange among FB stakeholder on the basis of the Ulysses virtual platform (IO3).Methodologically, the project design of ULYSSES is based on a co-creational industry-university interaction as recommended by the EC (6). The project will be realised within a 2-year long, interdisciplinary collaboration (4 HEI, 2 SME,) and is expected to unfold impact across 4 EU Countries involving 120+ students, 40+ educators, 10+ FB stakeholders.PARTICIPANTS●University of Szeged, Hungary – lead partner, experienced in entrepreneurship education●Management Center Innsbruck, Austria – experienced partner in entrepreneurship education with well-established relationship in the region●Libera Università di Bolzano, Italy – experienced partner with a dedicated centre for Family Business Management ●University of Vienna – experienced partner with a dedicated research group for Family Business internationalization and case study research methodology.●Univations Gmbh, Germany – experienced partner with several lead roles in entrepreneurship education Erasmus+ KA2 projects●Fundus Agentur, Austria – communication and networking agency[1] EC 2014: Entrepreneurship Education. A guide for Educators.[2] EC 2013: Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan.[3] EC OECD 2015: Entrepreneurship in Education.[4] EC 2020: Digital Education Plan 2021-2027.[5] EC 2019: Education & Training Monitor.[6] EC 2018: The state of university-business cooperation in Europe.

<< 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.