Digipreneurship Education to Bridge Skills Gap in Youth Work- YOUTH UP KA2 -2022-3-SE02-KA210-YOU-000092850
Context
Entrepreneurship is of critical importance to the modern economy. Researchers have studied entrepreneurship for decades. In recent years, a significant relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and firm performance has been reported in empirical studies. Today's workplace shows high intensity of utilisation of new digital technologies to improve business operations, invent new (digital) business models, sharpen business intelligence, and engage with customers and stakeholders through new (digital) channels. Young people are essential for inclusive and sustainable future economic development. Data recently published by Eurostat (2021), in the European Union there is a youth unemployment rate of 14,9%. This shows that young people keep having much more difficulties entering the labour market than the rest of the population. Thus, addressing youth unemployment is vital, not only for the well-being of young people, but also to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth and social cohesion. Therefore, training youth workers through quality non-formal education becomes part of the solution, as young people with entrepreneurial skills are better prepared to meet the challenges of today’s changing labour market.
On March 31, 2023, we organized a kick-off meeting for the project: Digipreneurship Education to Bridge Skills Gap in Youth Work- YOUTH UP. During the meeting we focused on the project objectives and formed an implementation project team.
Project objectives:
The main objective of the project : is to positively contribute to the increase of youth employment rate through the development of new knowledge, competences and attitudes of youth workers in the field of youth entrepreneurship.
The specific objectives of this project are:
● To know the needs of the target groups (youth workers and young people) in terms of their digital and entrepreneurial skills as well as the context where they are located and the challenges they are currently facing.
● To provide youth workers with techniques, methods and good practices that function as supporting tools to develop digital and entrepreneurial skills in young people.
● To train youth workers on digital and entrepreneurial skills through a blended training course adapted to their needs and those of young people to acquire new knowledge , skills and attitudes to help young people in their development as well as improve their continuous professional experience.
● To raise awareness on the importance of innovative entrepreneurship in young people and the significant role of youth workers to help reach that purpose.
BENEFITS OF DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
What is Digital Entrepreneurship
As the term "digital entrepreneurship" is seeking attention from almost every business owner out there, you must read about it in detail if you're one of them. So, let's start with the definition of digital entrepreneurship before anything else.
Digital Entrepreneurship is a method through which business owners transform the way their companies operate by keeping the technology factor in their minds. Basically, it is a list of processes that can help entrepreneurs to digitize their businesses.
Digital entrepreneurship mostly includes cost-cutting methods, possibilities for collaboration, designs of products, and numerous other factors. Digital entrepreneurship is an effective way of establishing your business digitally.
Once you learn how the digital market works, you can pick an offline model and apply various optimization methods to take it digitally. The optimization methods mostly include minimizing costs and innovative advertising techniques.
Benefits of Digital Entrepreneurship
Various industries have been seeking the benefits of digital entrepreneurship, and the number keeps on increasing. So how can this subcategory of entrepreneurship benefit you? Let's find out.
1. Business Scalability
You may come across hundreds of entrepreneurs in a day, each aiming to grow their businesses online. As you set up your business online, you can scale it according to the requirement and market.
As a result, there's no need to bear the pressure of additional investments, and you can witness your revenue booming like anything. Business owners often focus on minimizing their investments and still see their businesses soar to great heights.
2. Flexibility and Freedom
One of the most significant reasons digital entrepreneurship is getting more popular day by day is the flexibility and freedom it offers.
As entrepreneurs have the freedom to work from anywhere and at any time, they can sort their schedules well and maintain a perfect work-life balance. Being more flexible at work results in increased job satisfaction and a more fulfilling lifestyle.
3. Access to a Global Market
Establishing your business digitally means you can reach customers anywhere in the world. With the help of proper marketing techniques and some third-party service providers, you can easily provide your customers with what they've been looking for.
Having a physical store makes it impossible to reach international customers, but the case is entirely different in the digital world. In addition, you can hire laborers at cheaper rates in other countries and make use of their skills without investing too much.
4. Innovative Business Models
With the rise of digital entrepreneurship, business owners are coming up with more advanced and effective business models than before. We can take the example of the "pay-what-you-want" model. In this business model, a service provider can allow its customers to pay whatever they want for the service or product they need with suggestions offered by the business only.
It has proven to be effective for businesses with a loyal customer base or those offering unique, high-quality products or services. The basic principle behind the "pay-what-you-want" model is being dependent on the customer to pay according to their sense of fairness and reciprocity which often turns out to be profitable for businesses.
5. Adaptability
With the help of digital entrepreneurship, business owners can make changes to their products or services according to the trend or demand. The changes can be made in pricing, branding, or shipment without affecting the turnaround time.
For example, an e-commerce company may optimize its supply chain by improving its logistics processes and technology systems rather than investing in building physical warehouses.
It will cost little or no investment. It can be done by implementing software to manage inventory and shipping better, partnering with third-party logistics providers to handle fulfillment, and using data analytics to forecast demand and optimize transportation routes. By improving its online operations, the company can improve customer satisfaction and reduce costs without the need for physical expansion.
50 BUSINESS IDEAS FOR WOMEN - SMALL BUSINESS IDEAS FROM HOME
For stay-at-home women who desire to be financially independent, this article offers some of the best business ideas.
Our association has been helping people become entrepreneurs for more than 18 years.
Women who operate their own businesses are becoming more prevalent every day. A stay-at-home housewife aspires to launch an online business and become an entrepreneur. A female college student wants to launch a side hustle from home to get her entrepreneurial feet wet. A mother wants to use her tiny online company setup to generate side income.
But what do the majority of women-owned businesses do?
Which business ventures would be the best for women?
Women are definitely influencing the direction of business, and that much is true. You can see that female founders are thriving whether you quickly scan the list of the finest women’s internet company ideas or look up business ideas for women working from home.
Business women are present in every industry, whether it is the fashion industry, an internet flip store, or the life coaching industry.
enterprise concepts for women
People are always excited when new business opportunities for women emerge. You don’t need to wait for ten years; right now, you can choose among profitable business opportunities for women that require little startup capital and little prior expertise.
At the age of 29, I started my first online business. We gained a lot of knowledge and made fantastic money. My sister and I independently started a clothing brand. We took care of everything, including designing the outfits, promoting them, and delivering the items to customers. Since that day, I have been absolutely certain that I must start a business in order to achieve this independence. Today, I am running a blog business. We owe our parents, who always supported us in taking risks and starting businesses, full credit.
Just show up, ladies! You are quite capable.
You can learn about the top business concepts for women in this article.
50 Best Home-Based Business Ideas for Women to Make Money in 2023
1. Start a Blog Business
2. Become a Virtual Assistant
3. Become an Online Consultant
4. Sell Online Tutorials
5. Start a Freelance Writing Business
6. Become a Graphic Designer
7. Start an Etsy Shop
8. Start a Youtube Channel
9. Be a Reviewer
10. Do Bookkeeping and Accounting Work
11. Proofreading and Editing Service
12. Instagram influencer
13. Become an Online Coach
14. Teach Art Online
15. Affiliate Marketing
16. Become an Illustrator
17. Start a Clothing Business from Home
18. Food Service Business
19. Sell Home Baked Items from Home
20. Make Customized Gifts
21. Handmade Jewellry Business
22. Candles Business
23. Sewing Business
24. Kids Party Event Planner
25. Sell Paintings
26. Become a Personal Fitness Trainer
27. Become a Babysitter
28. Pet Sitting Service
29. Freelance Photography
30. Voiceover Artist
31. Webinar Host
32. Become a Yoga Instructor
33. Food Truck Business
34. Start a Cleaning Service
35. Lawn care service
36. Interior Designing
37. Kids Decor
38. Start a Laundry Service
39. Become an Airbnb host
40. Car Rental Business
41. Tent and Party Rentals Service
42. Freelance Makeup Artist
43. Freelance Hair Stylist44. Body Care Products Business
45. Sell crafts
46. T-shirt Design Business
47. Become a Florist
48. Start an amazon FBA business
49. Voiceover Artist
50. Event Planning Service
YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN EUROPEAN UNION PROJECTS
In June 2022, in consortium with SOLIDARITET FÖR UNGDOMENS FRAMTID from Sweden, IN VARIETATE CONCORDIA from Romania, SINERGIE from Italy and ARTIFEX BALEAR from Spain we started a project called “Youth Empowerment and Participation – YEP”. In March 2023, in collaboration with a Spanish organization called Inercia Digital we started another project called “Digipreneurship Education to Bridge Skills Gap in Youth Work -YOUTH-UP”. These projects are funded by the European Commission as part of the Erasmus + Program.
However, we encounter many difficulties in reaching many more young people. In the implementation of these projects we are supported by the NBV( Nykterhetsrörelsens bildningsverksamhet) which is a strong Swedish organization which intervenes in the field of training, associative activities, cultural events, concerts and conferences. The NBV is also an organization that promotes democracy, sobriety and fights against the abusive consumption of drugs and alcohol. On August 16, 2023, our project team met at her office, Mrs. Isabell Åkesson (in the photo, she is sitting in front of a computer) responsible for business development. The aim of the meeting was to analyze possible ways and means so that many more young people can participate in the projects we carry out. Before the end of the meeting, we developed some strategies aimed at getting more young people involved in our projects and we hope that their participation will be massive in the future.
Links:
https://solidaritetungdomensframtid.org/
http://projectyep.eu/forum/
https://www.facebook.com/SolidaritetUngdomensFramtid/
https://www.instagram.com/solidaritetungdomensframtid//
STUDY REPORT: MIXED RESEARCH ON DIGITAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS NEEDS
This report presents the findings of a survey conducted as part of the Erasmus+ project Youth-UP (2022-3-SE02-KA210-YOU-000092850). The aim of this activity is to develop a study report focusing on the mixed research on digital and entrepreneurial skills' needs. In designing the survey questionnaire, two frameworks were considered: the Digital Competence Framework "DigComp 2.2" for Citizenship and the European Competence Framework for Entrepreneurship "EntreComp." The primary objective of the questionnaire is to serve as an evaluation tool to assess the digital and entrepreneurial skills of young people aged 18-29. By gathering valuable insights through this survey, we aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of the skill requirements of young individuals in the areas of both digital literacy and entrepreneurship. This survey was conducted among a diverse group of participants to gather insights into their digital and entrepreneurial skills. A total of 27 individuals took part in the survey, representing a range of demographics in terms of age, gender, educational background, and occupation.
The survey was structured into two main sections: one section about the participant information and the other about questions on the topics. Through the first section, we will be able to know the participant demographics providing a comprehensive overview of the people who participated in the survey, showing a diverse range of ages, genders, educational backgrounds and occupational status. The second section of the survey included a series of questions aimed at assessing the participants' skills in various digital and entrepreneurial domains. The respondents were asked to rate their skills on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 representing a low level of proficiency and 5 indicating a high level of proficiency. Through this section, we will be able to deepen the findings related to the digital and entrepreneurial skills of the young respondents.
The results obtained through this survey are provided below:
Participant information:
The participants' age distribution revealed a varied representation across the surveyed population. The majority of respondents fell within the age range of 25 to 27 years (25.9%), followed by 26 years (14.8%) and 28 years (14.8%). Other significant age groups included 25 years (3.7%), 29 years (3.7%), 22 years (3.7%), 23 years (3.7%), and 30 years (11.1%).
Additionally, 18.5% of participants were older than 30 years. The survey achieved a relatively balanced representation in terms of gender. Female respondents accounted for 48.1% of the participants, while male respondents constituted 51.9% of the surveyed population. In terms of the educational background of the participants, it was diverse and reflected different levels of education. The majority of respondents had a university degree (44.4%), demonstrating a significant proportion of higher education graduates. In addition, 25.9% of the participants had completed a university master's degree. Moreover, 7.4% of the participants had completed vocational training (VET), while the same percentage had obtained a baccalaureate degree. The surveyed population represented a mix of individuals engaged in different occupations. The largest group consisted of individuals who were currently employed (74.1%), reflecting a significant portion of working professionals. Furthermore, 11.1% of participants reported being unemployed, while 14.8% identified themselves as students, indicating their ongoing educational pursuits.
In relation to the skills assessment section, when respondents were asked about their skills with word processing tools such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, the majority of them (48.1%) indicated a solid mastery of their competences. A significant number of participants (25.9%) assessed their skills at a point above the lowest rating, indicating a moderate level of proficiency.
Furthermore, a notable portion (22.2%) of respondents regarded their skills as being at the topmost rank within the rating scale. In contrast, only a minority (3.7%) evaluated their skills at a point just above the lowest rating. Regarding skills in the use of spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, 40.7% of the participants self-assessed themselves with a rating of 4, a strong level of proficiency. A notable proportion (18.5%) expressed a slightly lower self-assessment, giving themselves a rating of 3. Similarly, another 18.5% rated their skills with a 2, suggesting further scope for improvement. A smaller percentage (14.8%) indicated a lower level of proficiency, rating themselves with a 1, while 7.4% considered their skills to be exceptional, assigning themselves a rating of 5, denoting the highest level of proficiency in this area. When assessing the participants' abilities in utilizing social networks like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, their proficiency levels were examined. The results indicated that a considerable portion of respondents (44.4%) demonstrated a high degree of expertise, representing a notable level of skill. It is worth noting that an identical percentage (44.4%) perceived their skills to be at the top of proficiency, reflecting a high level assessment. On the other hand, a small proportion (7.4%) rated their skills at a lower level, indicating a comparatively modest proficiency. Moreover, only 3.7% of participants evaluated themselves at the lowest point of proficiency, denoting a minimal degree of competence in this area.
When assessing skills in using digital communication tools such as email, instant messaging, or video conferencing, the majority of participants (51.9%) expressed a positive assessment of their skills, emphasizing a significant level of competence in this domain. Additionally, a substantial proportion (33.3%) perceived themselves as highly proficient, showcasing an exceptional level of mastery. Furthermore, a notable portion of respondents (11.1%) indicated a satisfactory level of proficiency. However, it is worth mentioning that a small percentage (3.7%) rated their skills at a lower level, implying a limited degree of proficiency in this particular area of digital communication. Regarding the handling and management of digital files, which includes documents, photos, and videos, a considerable proportion of participants (40.7%) demonstrated a high level of proficiency. Additionally, a significant number (33.3%) expressed a solid level of skill. For 14.8% of the respondents, their skills were assessed as being at an intermediate level. A smaller percentage (7.4%) indicated a lower level of proficiency, while only 3.7% of participants rated their skills at the lowest level.
When participants were asked about their ability to search for information efficiently and quickly on the Internet, nearly half of the respondents (48.1%) indicated a high level of efficiency. They expressed a strong proficiency in conducting effective searches. Additionally, a significant proportion (40.7%) rated themselves with a slightly lower assessment, suggesting a solid level of competence in this area. Furthermore, a smaller percentage (11.1%) considered their skills to be at a level below the highest, indicating a moderate proficiency in internet information searching. When participants were queried about their ability to search for information efficiently and quickly on the Internet, a significant percentage of respondents (48.1%) expressed a high degree of proficiency. They demonstrated a keen aptitude for swiftly and effectively retrieving the desired information. Moreover, a substantial proportion (40.7%) assessed their skills as being just below the highest level, indicating a remarkable level of efficiency. Additionally, a smaller percentage (11.1%) of participants viewed their abilities in this area as proficient, although not yet reaching the same level of expertise as the preceding groups.
The survey also explored the participants' previous job or internship experience. An overwhelming majority (92.6%) of respondents indicated that they had previous experience in a job or internship, highlighting their exposure to real-world work settings. Regarding their aspirations for entrepreneurship in the future, 59.3% of participants responded that they were unsure, indicating a lack of clarity about their entrepreneurial ambitions. However, a significant proportion (22.2%) expressed a desire to become an entrepreneur, while 18.5% stated that they did not have such aspirations. When participants were asked about their time management and task prioritization skills, the responses were fairly balanced. A significant proportion of participants rated their skills at a level that can be considered above average. The highest ratings were evenly split between two categories, indicating that 40.7% of participants assessed their skills as being in this range. Furthermore, a smaller percentage of participants, 11.1%, expressed the highest level of confidence in their time management and task prioritization abilities. On the other hand, a minority of participants rated their skills at a lower level, with 3.7% considering themselves at the second-lowest level and an additional 3.7% at the lowest level.
Participants' skills in teamwork and problem-solving were assessed, with a majority of 55.6% indicating a high level of proficiency. This group demonstrated a good level of competence in working collaboratively and finding solutions to challenges. A notable portion of 25.9% perceived themselves as highly skilled in this area, showcasing an advanced level of proficiency. In contrast, 14.8% expressed a lower level of proficiency, suggesting room for improvement in their teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Only a small percentage of 3.7% rated their skills at an intermediate level, indicating a moderate level of proficiency in this domain. When describing their abilities to present and communicate ideas effectively, the majority of participants (55.6%) expressed a high level of proficiency. A smaller proportion (22.2%) indicated a slightly lower level of proficiency, while a significant number (14.8%) considered their skills to be at the highest possible level. Only a small minority (7.4%) rated their skills at a level lower than the majority, but still above the lowest rating. Regarding the ability to identify business opportunities and create innovative solutions, the survey participants provided varying assessments of their proficiency. Among the respondents, the largest proportion (37%) indicated that they possess a moderate level of skill in this area. A slightly smaller percentage
(29.6%) expressed a higher level of confidence in their abilities. Conversely, a smaller proportion (18.5%) described their skills as being at a somewhat lower level. A limited number of participants (11.1%) reported having a relatively low level of proficiency, whereas a small minority (3.7%) believed their skills in identifying business opportunities and generating innovative solutions to be at the highest level.
To conclude, the findings of this survey provide significant insights on the digital and entrepreneurial skills of young people aged 18-29. While there are notable strengths in certain areas, such as word processing tools and social media proficiency, there are also areas where young people may benefit from further skill development. Specifically, the results indicate a need for improvement in spreadsheet skills, time management, task prioritization, and identifying business opportunities. Additionally, it is worth highlighting the uncertainty regarding entrepreneurial aspirations among the surveyed participants. These findings demonstrate the importance of addressing the skills gap among young individuals, equipping them with the necessary competencies to thrive in the digital era and foster entrepreneurial mindsets.
Digital entrepreneurship is a term that encompasses online businesses that individuals create and run. Online entrepreneurial ventures can be sources of passive income or active sites for selling goods and services. This can offer an entrepreneur new way of finding customers, reducing costs and collaborating with others. Digital entrepreneurs combine business, market knowledge and network technology to reinvent traditional business practices through digitization.
For more information click on the link.
Link:https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/digital-entrepreneurship
A better understanding of how and why young entrepreneurs in South Asia and South-East Asia use digital financial services and digital business solutions can fuel inclusive growth and youth entrepreneurship in those regions. This report offers an up-to-date regional picture of trends related to youth entrepreneurship and financial inclusion based on results from Findex and Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) survey data, as well as qualitative insights from an online survey of 64 young entrepreneurs. Our analysis found that youth enterprises in South Asia and South-East Asia use digital platforms mainly for marketing, sales and business operations; we also found interesting examples of companies that use digital solutions to promote inclusive growth, education, and health. There has been a rapid expansion in youth using digital payments, including mobile money, although this growth has mostly occurred among more educated and richer youth. With rapid technological growth there is an increased opportunity to better link digital finance and business platforms for young entrepreneurs, especially for developing countries. There is also a need for a wider range of digital financial service offerings, including savings, remittances and credit, and for these services to be better tailored to the needs of existing youth enterprises. The study recommends some alternative fintech solutions that can help fulfil this need.
Link:https://www.unapcict.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/UNDP-RBAP-Youth-Entrepreneurs-Engaging-in-Digital-Economy-2020.pdf
If you’ve got a great idea for an online business, now’s the time to strike. Here are the ins and outs of becoming a digital entrepreneur.
Have you ever dreamed of starting your own business? It’s a common aspiration -- the flexibility to create your own schedule, the freedom to drive business in the direction you desire, and the possibility to earn more than a standard, salaried job.
Yes, it takes concrete planning and a hoard of resources to launch your idea, but your timing couldn’t be better. Due to the fluctuating work environment from COVID-19, the reasons to become an entrepreneur are plentiful.
We’re going to focus exclusively on starting an online business since the pandemic is driving more and more of life to the virtual domain. An online income source is a great solution for the immediate now, plus it’ll allow you a long-term work-life balance, something so many of us crave.
Link:https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/small-business/articles/digital-entrepreneur/
