The topic regarding green entrepreneurship could be divided into five sub-chapters to approach, at least superficially, its basic principles.
These chapters could contain the following:
Introduction to green, and sustainable business/Distinction from conventional entrepreneurship
(Business initiatives, the connection between CE, and business models, how we can create a CE business model, how we can transform an already existing business model to circular, what is a green, and innovative start-up)
Pitching yourself, and your idea
(Explanation of business plans, how to develop one, thinking outside the box, management)
Policy, and regulatory environment/Funding opportunities
(Legal framework/ national, and EU initiatives / support for innovative green potential)
Marketing strategies
Best practices
The topic of green entrepreneurship is getting more, and more spread, and new initiatives are being published quickly.
Regarding the research material, our survey could commence from educational material already developed in the scope of European programs.
An excellent example of such could be the GD HIVE project, whose main objective is to provide young people with new knowledge, competencies, and skills related to the European Green Deal, and the Circular Economy so that they could be allowed to acquire new knowledge, and improve their skills, and better understand, and share the importance of green economy, circular economy, business, and innovation. Within the implementation of the project, an e-platform was developed, containing all the educational material on the topic of green entrepreneurship, Green Deal, and Circular Economy.
Find out more at: https://greendeal-hive.eu/en/projekt , https://gd-hive-hub.eu/login/index.php
Moving on content-wise, one could opt for the STARTAB Entrepreneurship Program, which Corallia delivers with the support of Prince’s Trust International, and it is offered free of charge to young people aged 18-35.
Participants can develop a business idea through a specialized Workshop, and then attend a 4-day interactive, and free Entrepreneurship Course, where through workshops, they explore the practical side of starting, and running a business, and decide if self-employment is right for them.
After the 4-day Entrepreneurship Course, those participants who wish to proceed receive mentoring guidance for up to 12 months to develop, design, and test their business idea, and then mature their business plan.
The stages of the program are 6: the Information session, the stage of development of the business idea, the Explore Entrepreneurship Course, the Next Step Mentoring stage, the Launch your business step, and last, the Grow your business stage.
You can find out more at: https://startab.gr/en/about-en/
Still, exciting initiatives are being provided by the Center of Sustainable Entrepreneurship Excelixi of the Piraeus Bank Group, providing training programs, consulting services, certifications, innovation, and entrepreneurship services, and organizing relevant events.
The Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship aims to actively support actions, and initiatives that contribute to promoting innovation in the critical sectors of the Hellenic economy, where Excelixi focuses its activities. Moreover, it supports the development of entrepreneurship in the country, especially for young people, by providing consulting services for startups like mentoring, implementing EU co-financed programs, specialized events, etc.
Find out more at: http://www.excelixi.org/
In order for everyone interested, and especially young people, to enhance their knowledge, they could consult the European Pact for Sustainable Industry by CSR Europe, which aims at scaling up the impact of individual efforts made by companies, industry federations, and EU leaders towards a Sustainable Europe 2030.
At the SDG Summit 2021, CSR Europe inaugurated the first edition of the European Sustainable Industry Barometer.
Having formed a strong alliance, the European Pact for Sustainable Industry has set some milestones, starting from the rollout of the European Sustainability Industry Strategy by 2024.
Moving on, the goal is that by 2030, 10.000 companies will be engaged in the sector, and cross-sectoral collaboration, and by 2024, EU policymakers will implement an inclusive level playing field.
The steps to accomplish these milestones are the following:
The improvement of the Sector Intelligence
The engagement with the Commission
The visibility, and recognition of the Pact, and its objectives.
You can find out more at: https://www.csreurope.org/the-european-pact-for-sustainable-industry#achievements
