Lithuania was represented by the Department of Youth Affairs, National Development Institution, Alytus College, Alytus upper secondary schools, Alytus Business Incubator, Alytus Vocational Education Centre, Alytus Business Angel and Baltic Innovation Group. Norwegian part was represented by the Ministry of Children and Education, Youth Achievement Nordland, and one upper secondary school intensively working with youth entrepreneurship.
In addition there were a number of guests sharing their practices and giving valuable theoretical knowledge. The goal of the seminar was to create some practical actions for improving youth entrepreneurship promotion in these areas. People at the event were very enthusiastic and competent; various experiences helped the seminar to be efficient. As the outcome some plans for the future were created and all the ideas were presented to the local authorities of Alytus City. As a youth group initiative and a possible idea for a project was suggestion to make youth summer exchange in business companies.
More concrete idea prepared as a project draft was the concept called Entrepreneurship Laboratory. The project will include four activities during the year 2009. The first one would be a training seminar for teachers in order to raise their competence and motivation. The following activity would be an Innovation Camp for youth. This is a concept coming from Norway used in Junior Achievement program. The idea is to gather many groups of students to one place where they have to solve a problem given by a business company. The task must be fulfilled during 24 hours. This would not only be a lesson for creativity and innovation, it could give a grate fun and experience too. The winner of Innovation Camp would go for the 3rd step which is a European trade fair in Bodø, Norway 8 – 11 May 2009. After that, as a fourth step an international fair could be organized in Lithuania. The majority of the above mentioned partners expressed their interest to take part in the project. The possible funding was also discussed.
One more seminar group prepared a paper for municipality of things to do to make their role more intense when it comes to youth entrepreneurship. Both seminar participants and municipality leaders were happy about the results. In order not to stop the process a list of each person responsibilities was made. Innovation Circle Network will follow the activities and inform about the coming news.
