Youth Enterprise Accelerator Project Video

Fourth Transnational Meeting - YEA Project

We very much enjoyed our stay in Berlin – from interactive exercises to cultural activities – our final meeting covered it all. IQ Consult hosted each day at a different branch, which gave us quite a good insight into the different departments they run and the overall structure of the company. After we assessed our progress within the overall time schedule of the project, we compiled all our impressions from negative to positive, and aligned them with overall topics. This was a valuable joint activity and we especially benefited from the deeper insight we got into each partner’s individual experience. Final tasks have been identified and allocated, so that we were able to fully concentrate on the exploitation and sustainability of the project. We were very well looked after and IQ organised great walks and sightseeing tours, in Berlin as well as Potsdam, in order to introduce us to their whereabouts and some of their successful trading entrepreneurs.

On our last day we had the pleasure to meet Alicia and Lidia from ‘Accion contra el Hambre’, who introduced us to one of their latest entrepreneurship programmes in Spain. They talked us through their programme structure, methods & tools used as well as their impact. During lunch we explored the idea of a potential future collaboration. As always, we’d like to thank our host – IQ – for their great hospitality and would like to appreciate their successful contribution to the entrepreneurship movement.

One Planet Ventures (UK)

The final meeting in Berlin has been exciting and very fruitful as we had the opportunity to exchange opinions, facts and outcomes reached. We could enrich our vision of the strengths and weak points through a common brainstorming session that led to interesting and diverse points of view. The visit to 'Lab Potsdam' has been great when we learn in detail about how projects to support migrants start-up enterprises are organized from a long term experienced partner. We hope to have the choice to collaborate again with professionals partners that we can now call friends. See you next time Berlin!

Eurocultura (Italy)

Berlin welcomed us with rainy weather. Our accommodation in Berlin center nr. Kreutzberg was fantastic – old factory reconstructed into very big apartments with high ceilings. In the evening we wandered around on Oranien strasse and found multicultural communities and foods all around the world. We endup in Indian restaurant Amrit with delicious offer from Indian cuisine. The next morning we walked to nearby hotel where the other participants were and on the way we were suddenly covered by ice/hail storm – and that was before 2 km walk to meeting place. Luckily the sky got clear very quick and we had nice energic start of day. First part of meeting was very important to go through the outputs and reminder of last missing things in our project, this being our last project meeting. Everything was discussed and after lunch (in Indian restaurant ) we continued with Lessons Learned from WP2-4. Very funny was watching videos – in French one the audio was incorrect and we had different people speaking different voices. But really nice was Adam’s One Planet Ventures video for the whole YEA – we made comments to improve it just a little bit more In the evening the hosts prepared dinner in local restaurant. Unfortunatelly I got sick and could not eat the amazing schnitzel.

The second day we traveled to Potsdam, where there is another Social Impact Lab of iq-Consult, where we had meeting all day solving dissemination and further agenda. Very nice was lunch at “Fabrik” very fresh and tasty menu. We finished after dark and had small walk across Potsdam before departing home. Third day was mostly a summary, with discussion about further project ideas and possibilities of cooperation among partnership organizations and meeting with potential Spanish partners. Overall this meeting was fantastic overview of very successful work of iq-consult in the Brandenburg region where we could see the real added value to the participants and the great work they are doing. A perfect dot after very exciting YEA project, we hope to see our partners soon!

Martin - K.A.B.A. Slovensko (Slovakia)

Berlin and the last meeting of the YEA project. We arrive on Sunday evening by car. We met with all people on first social lab and then continued on the lunch. All meetings on the social hubs were very nice. Everybody now knows what is necessary to do for the successful end of the project. Thank you very much for giving me a chance to visit Hubs and met with fantastic enthusiastic people.

Ivka  - K.A.B.A. Slovensko (Slovakia)

Berlin was our last and final meeting. We resided and worked in an interesting part of the city, on the border of the Eastern block and the West block. The first day was a meeting at the headquarters of IQ Consult. The second day we visited the office in Potsdam. We discussed the current formalities relating to the completion of project promotion, benefits and challenges which we encountered during the project. We also discussed the possibilities of application of BMC in practice for starting start-ups in each country. We saw and edited the "project promotional film" video. Useful and enjoyable three days, Good bye Berlin!

Silvia  - K.A.B.A. Slovensko (Slovakia)

We looked forward our final meeting in Berlin. We were talking about lot of interesting topics during the our way. The meeting began on Monday and day started with rain, but during the day the weather changed. Together we were able to develop the achievements of the project and we had fun brainstorming. During the program, we visited several interesting and creative cities.

Dusana   - K.A.B.A. Slovensko (Slovakia)

Inauguration de « L’Ouvre-Boîte » en présence de Jacques Attali

Il y avait du monde hier au centre commercial Marseille Grand Littoral et pas seulement pour y faire son shopping. Une soixantaine de participants s’étaient donné rendez-vous autour de Jacques Attali, président de Positive Planet, et de Nicolas Truelle, directeur général de notre fondation, pour inaugurer « L’Ouvre-Boîte » à l’occasion de l’ouverture de sa première boutique éphémère. Explications.

« L’Ouvre-Boîte », c’est la réponse d’Apprentis d’Auteuil, avec ses partenaires, à un double constat. D’une part l’augmentation du nombre de jeunes chercheurs d’emploi s’orientant vers la création de leur propre activité. D’autre part le faible taux de survie des entreprises nouvellement créées, en dépit même du grand nombre de structures d’accompagnement à la création d’entreprise (174 rien qu’à Marseille). Dès lors, Apprentis d’Auteuil et ses partenaires, à travers « L’Ouvre-Boîte », proposent depuis juin 2015 un dispositif d’accompagnement vers la création d’entreprise, sur la base d’une offre complète et ciblée permettant à un public faiblement qualifié, en difficulté sur le marché de l’emploi, d’accéder à la création d’une activité pérenne. Comment ? En proposant un accompagnement sur la durée, une formation sur mesure et l’expertise (administrative, comptable, juridique…) de mécènes « parrains », de façon à ce que nos entrepreneurs en herbe soient le mieux armés pour aller au bout de leur projet. Ainsi, lorsque, aujourd’hui, 76% des porteurs de projet n’entreprennent finalement pas à la sortie des dispositifs d’accompagnement à la création d’entreprise classiques, a contrario, « L’Ouvre-Boîte » ambitionne 80% de réussite !

Partenariat durable pour boutique éphémère

La recette de ce succès attendu contient un ingrédient spécial : la boutique éphémère. L’idée est simple : proposer aux jeunes entrepreneurs, à l’issue de leur formation intensive, de mettre en pratique ce qu’ils ont acquis en testant leur activité dans un espace commercial mis gratuitement à leur disposition sur une durée déterminée.

Les occupants de cette première boutique ouverte a

u cœur du plus grand centre commercial de PACA étaient là, ce jeudi 24 septembre, pour accueillir leurs invités de marque, guidés jusqu’à eux par les 36 panneaux numériques du centre faisant la promotion de la boutique éphémère, et inaugurer officiellement ensemble « L’Ouvre-Boîte ». Sintya, Hamida, Anissa et Jonas, entrepreneurs du monde de la mode et de l’esthétique, étaient entourés pour l’occasion de Jacques Attali, ancien conseiller politique, écrivain et président de Positive Planet dont l’antenne locale, Planet ADAM, a contribué activement au recrutement des candidats à l’accompagnement proposé par « L’Ouvre-Boîte ». Après avoir coupé le ruban aux côtés de Nicolas Truelle, Jacques Attali a formé le vœu que cette boutique, comme celles qui doivent s’ouvrir ailleurs à Marseille, puisse ne plus être qualifiée d' »éphémère ».

Partenaires privés et acteurs publics sont intervenus à sa suite. Les uns, comme Philippe Gassend, directeur général adjoint de la Banque Populaire Provençale et Corse, pour illustrer leur engagement en tant que mécènes du projet ; les autres pour encourager et soutenir politiquement une telle initiative au profit des jeunes entrepreneurs des quartiers prioritaires de Marseille. Nicolas Truelle, quant à lui, a rappelé combien il était important et précieux pour Apprentis d’Auteuil de pouvoir porter de tels projets au service de l’insertion des jeunes dans la vie active avec d’autres acteurs partenaires, bref en alliance. Félicitant les jeunes présents pour leur motivation et leur créativité, le Directeur général d’Apprentis d’Auteuil a exprimé également le souhait de voir un jour cette expérimentation européenne réussie essaimer au-delà de Marseille, en France et à l’international. Avec de telles fées penchées sur le berceau de « L’Ouvre-Boîte », tous les espoirs sont permis ! 

Apprentis D’Auteuil (France)

Third Transnational Meeting - YEA Project

Although while being running a project, it can be hard to take some time to step back, this is something which is absolutely necessary. The meeting which took place in Vicenza last July gave us the great opportunity to look at what and how others are doing with their incubator, to share all our questions and to get some 100% useful and expected answers. It was very different from the previous ones since, finally, everyone had entered the operational phase of the project. All the partners explained us how they recruited trainers, prepared for their modules and trained the young entrepreneurs. Some really interesting choices and adaptations came out of this and it gave us the feeling that the final productions everyone will share for the project will be very interesting! And then we got to explain to the partners what we achieved & what challenges we are still facing. We received some very kind and supportive feedback. After a short period of doubts, we were also so thankful that Ashford Place finally decided to continue managing the project. Since running European projects is not only about operational aspects but also, let’s be very clear, a huge amount of capitalization, administrative and financial follow-up, we then used the rest of our time making sure we would deliver all the required documents in the few months to come until the end of the project : fastidious but necessary! The months to come until December 2015 will be some of the most important : finishing the pilot means a huge work-load but is also so interesting because then comes all the reflection during the capitalization process, giving us the chance to explain properly what we’ve been doing and to better understand and integrate what other partners have been developing. Dissemination is also a key part of the project, to get feedback from outsiders to improve the project in the future! Last but not least: the difference between meeting on skype and sending each other emails and travelling abroad to meet partners is not just about enjoying hours of travel and a nice meeting room! We also enjoyed the great opportunity to get to know each other a bit more, to share about potential future projects and to visit the beautiful city of Padova.

Apprentis D’Auteuil (France)

One of the main purposes of this meeting was to check in with partners and to support them with whatever was needed in preparation for the end of the pilot. On the first day of our 3-day meeting each partner gave an insight into their pilot programme – businesses that take part, the support provided, and biggest achievements as well as challenges to date. It is just amazing that the project has attracted so many different types of businesses, and how our (joint) efforts can make such a big difference to those that go through the programme. What’s interesting to see is how each partner goes beyond the agreed project outcomes, and provides so much more support and help. Starting a business can be fun, but uh so frustrating at the same time. Especially for those living and working in countries where the government, with some of its laws, make it almost impossible for young entrepreneurs to build and develop a successful and sustainable business. Either way, every partner is putting so much effort in this pilot course and we are excited about the transition into the final project phase. And besides other project related issues that we discussed, it was great to catch up with our partners.

Eurocultura was a brilliant host, very enthusiastic and considerate. They spoiled us with sightseeing tours in and around Vicenza, as well as arranging dinners at beautiful restaurants. We very much enjoyed our stay in Italy, and would hereby like to thank Eurocultura again for their hospitality.

One Planet Ventures (UK)

During this meeting every country presented how far they had progressed in their accelerator. We could see interesting differences in application to specific conditions. The sharing of experiences was useful with the implementation and feedback from participants and lectors. We also discussed our plans for autumn.

Next meeting will take place in November 2015 in Berlin and it will be the final conference. Project and project output should include proposals for the sustainability of YEA accelerators in every country and proposal for an appropriate form of collaboration in the future after the termination of the project. It was nice to see you and we want to thank Euroculture for great organization and accompanying program as well as their personal time they had spent with us.

Silvia – K.A.B.A. Slovensko (Slovakia)

I was waiting long time for this trip, Italy is such a nice country! I loved the hotel that was outside center and we arrived easily by car and also the swimming pool where we spent some quality time after arrival :) It was hot, veeery hot! 37-40C every day was too much to go out. At least we had many points on agenda to discuss, but then we missed the beautiful weather, it is always on meetings. I loved coffee breaks, since the Italian coffee is really good and also sweets were so good :) Good job Eurocultura. The meeting was an opportunity to overview our activities during pilot, since we had just finished our workshops we had a rough time to bring some data to the meeting. We also had many many after meeting tasks and it will be challenge in summer and autumn to finish all. We had fantastic overview not only about the project, but also of Italian cuisine and very nice city in between Padova and Verona. I am glad I had this opportunity, thank you Eurocultura for hosting us!

Dusana – K.A.B.A. Slovensko (Slovakia)

Ivana, KABA:

This city was new to me and thus such a big surprise when I got out of car and saw nice hotel. It was very reasonably priced and **** stars! When we arrived, it was good to have swimming pool since even for Italy this was an extreme hot weather week! First day of meeting we met with all partners and for me it was first meeting so all were unknown I was surprised by the professionality and attitude (positve) of them all. Italian partner Dalmar and Levi made absolute effort to make our stay great, they showed us the beauty of Vicenza and for me unforgettable experience was visit of restaurant on the top of the hill (agriturismo) where we had fantastic dinner. I would like to thank KABA and YEA project I could take part in this project, it made me professionally richer.

Ivana – K.A.B.A. Slovensko (Slovakia)

Gallery

Our recent project meeting in Vicenza/Italy has been hot, busy and productive. Since all the YEA partners started with the pilot program during the past few months, we were curious to see all the project results and updates so far. Another big topic was the vision of YEA across Europe. So we discussed a lot of possible post-project ideas to ensure further public start-up-support for young people in Europe. Thanks to the great host from Eurocultura we were in the fortunate position to do some cultural activities as well – included delicate Italian pizza. All in all we had another great time together and are looking forward to see each other on the last project meeting in Berlin!

IQ Consult (Germany)

Nice atmosphere, collaborative attitude, time for everyone to present their activity and to get to know how other partners are managing the piloting phase, clear definition of tasks to be performed from now to the end of the project.

And good time together after the meeting, enjoying good food and tasting good Italian wine. A perfect mixture of duty and pleasure!

Levi Bettin - Eurocultura (Italy)

The day before the meeting in Vicenza, the TV news said that the month of July 2015 is the hottest month in Italy since 150 years. Despite the scorching heat, however, the transnational meeting was very positive and, in the end, I was very clear what are the things we have left to do and how to do them. I'm really satisfied with the results of the meeting from a professional point of view but, above all, I enjoyed the friendly atmosphere established between the partners that made nice also the almost African climate.

Dalmar Mohamed Ali - Eurocultura (Italy)

The role of community builders for startups in the sharing Economy

The sharing economy has become a big deal in the past couple of years, and will continue to grow until it undermines capitalism the way we know it. Right now, even though experts think that we’re still in the infancy of really understanding the potential of this concept, there is a boom in both interest and participation. In addition, the way that we use space is also changing, instead of being privatized; it’s being used more collaboratively.

What is the Sharing Economy?

The sharing economy is an economic model in which individuals are able to borrow or rent assets owned by someone else. This model is mostly used when the price of a particular asset is high and the asset is not fully utilized all the time. Central to the sharing economy are the two-sided marketplace communities that must be built to facilitate collaborative consumption. During a meeting panel of community builders identified seven key points about the present and future particularly related to the role of community builders to enhance and develop the sharing economy.

1. The sharing economy is (or at least should be) about human connection.
2. In many ways, these systems may be more trustworthy than the traditional ones they’re disrupting.
3. When considering starting a sharing economy startup, you have to consider the risk/reward balance.
4. You need to figure out what side of your community to focus most of your time on.
5. Nurturing your super-users is the best recipe for success.
6. There’s no silver bullet for engaging this audience – just elbow grease and experimentation.
7. Community is a delicate balance, even when you reach scale.

As more startups use our phones and computers to bring us closer together, savvy companies are leveraging technology to help individuals turn their assets into income through the sharing economy. Criticism of the sharing economy often involves regulatory uncertainty. Businesses offering rental services are often regulated by federal, state or local authorities; unlicensed individuals offering rental services may not be following these regulations or paying the associated costs, giving them an "unfair" advantage that enables them to charge lower prices More and more technology entrants are developing the sharing economy after figuring our how to monetize sharing behaviors in different sectors. By definition, when you receive money to "share" something, you are no longer sharing, you are selling. Would the employees of sharing technology companies still show up to work for free if the dollar lost its purchasing power? Would for-profit businesses continue to incur operational costs for the 'good of sharing' if the incentive to do so was lost? We will have to turn to one another to share resources efficiently. That means the role of community builders will become ever-more vital to the economy as a whole.

Bibliography

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sharing-economy.asp#ixzz3l2bMOB76

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/070815/sharing-economy-startups-road-success.asp#ixzz3k7nkChrs
http://venturebeat.com/2015/06/04/the-sharing-economy-has-created-17-billion-dollar-companies-and-10-unicorns/
http://www.shareable.net/blog/differentiating-the-anarchy-economy-from-the-sharing-economy
http://cmxhub.com/7-lessons-on-building-community-in-the-sharing-economy-from-lyft-storefront-yerdle-and-boatbound/

Posted by: Eurocultura

Together for Youth Entrepreneurship

Proof of concept instead of textbooks.
Young people start up differently.

That's the Hulk. He is obviously not an entrepreneur. Rebecca - a formerly unemployed, 26-year-old, entrepreneur, created this image. The technique used here is based on a type of street art called airbrushing. Whether or not you can become successfully self-employed as an airbrush designer isn‘t in any textbook. But you can make a proof of concept. For developing and testing business ideas systematically, the BMC has proven itself in recent years. The process is less like the conventionally writing linear business plans but a cyclical dialogue about the business ideas, helping to make them marketable. This process, in particular helps young people with no business experience and business knowledge on a start up in order to obtain income for their livelihood.

In Europe, business incubators for start-ups have been developed in many countries recently. In Germany iq consult has been established the incubator concept named as Enterprise in order to support young unemployed people. We are pleased that we can share our experiences in the context of YEA. In the next weeks of piloting we will document our joint work in the YEA composite quality standards for an European incubator.

We hope to support a lot of young, partially unemployed but interested people like Rebecca in the UK, France, Italy and Slovakia on their own way into self-employment.

Rebecca, previously unemployed, founded her own company for Airbrush-Design in Germany

Posted by: iq consult