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European expert NETwork established to increase uptake of entrepreneurship education in Europe

A new initiative aims to promote entrepreneurship education and make policy recommendations that can be put into effect by national school systems.

The European Entrepreneurship Education NETwork (EE-HUB.EU) will exchange information and experience, improving and creating synergies between the many initiatives in the field.

50 experts from more than 20 countries are forming an advisory group to politicians and the EU institutions. The EE-HUB.EU will engage in outreach and awareness activities as well as policy recommendations across several work streams that include national strategies, partnerships with business, support for teachers and the role of regional authorities.

The European Commission's communication Entrepreneurship 2020 states that every young person should have an entrepreneurial experience before they finish school. While much is already being done across Europe, entrepreneurship education needs to be more systematic and rooted in the school curricula - take place on a larger scale.

"The establishment of the European Entrepreneurship Education NETwork is a further milestone towards a more entrepreneurial Europe. I am confident that this new network hub will help to inspire a change in mindsets, facilitating our readiness for the knowledge society and creating an environment where new ideas can prosper." Joanna Drake, Director for Entrepreneurship & SMEs, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.

The focus areas are national policy development and mobilising teacher training and support. One work stream will focus on how businesses and private associations and organisations can support the uptake of entrepreneurship education.

Throughout Europe, entrepreneurship education is ad-hoc, varying in quantity and quality, often relying on individual teachers' and schools' enthusiasm and commitment. In December 2014, The European Council underlined the importance of developing entrepreneurial skills from an early age and of reinforcing links between the education system and business world, in line with the European Council's call in June, "to promote a climate of entrepreneurship and job creation". Entrepreneurship and education are also priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy.

Caroline Jenner, CEO of JA Europe (the organisation leading the project) says that, "European stakeholders in this field are extremely committed. The situation is urgent and this is a way to leverage our strengths and work more effectively together. Entrepreneurship education cannot work unless governments and their local business and education communities are acting in close partnership with one another."

The three-year project will launch on 5 May 2015. The partners are JA Europe, EUROCHAMBRES (the association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry across 43 countries), SEECEL (South East European Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning,), and EUproVET (vocational education specialists). Additional private sector partners include: Cisco, EY, Intel, Microsoft and VISA.