Youth entrepreneurship centers
We operate in districts of Anyksciai
and Svencionys, our main goal is to encourage
entrepreneurship of young people from these districts.
We perceive entrepreneurship not only as commercial business
development, but also as a personal self-realization by working, participating
in social activities, pursuing higher education. We aim to help young people
realize their personal potential and goals, encourage initiative, because we
believe that person who knows what one wants to do is motivated to achieve it and
is more satisfied with own life.
Our work covers three areas:
- education of personal entrepreneurship,
- helping young people to start their own business
- helping to expand an existing business
After entrepreneurship camp held in 2007, which was supported by the Ministry
of Education, the YEC have established youth entrepreneurship clubs, which aims
to educate entrepreneurship of young people in their living areas.
YEC history
Institute of National Development for 2005-2006 together with its partners (Municipalities
of Anyksciai , Mazeikiai, Taurage and Zarasai districts and local labor
exchanges, as well as the Swedish organization "Communicare) implemented
the project "Pilot
Youth Entrepreneurship Centers”, which was partly funded by the Phare 2003
Cross-Border Cooperation Programme in the Baltic Sea region. The European
Commission introduces this project as an
example of good practice in other EU countries.
During the project adaptive youth entrepreneurship development methodology
based on a Swedish partner's success was prepared. Activity of this
organization is identified as best practice example in the European
Commission's White Paper “A new impetus for European youth “.
Knowledge and skills of use of this method was provided to sixteen young people
in the project municipalities, one of which was employed in YEC. Centers opened
in August, 2006 are a result of a consistent three-year work of the Institute. In
October 2006, at the end of the project, the Youth Entrepreneurship Centers became
units of the National Development Institute.
In 2007 network of centers expanded: cooperation and support from Svencionys
and Panevezys municipalities led to opening units in these cities, as well as
to the establishment of entrepreneurship clubs.
Methods of operation
Youth Entrepreneurship Centers use an adapted youth entrepreneurship
development methodology that is focused on action and achievement of results
assessing the surrounding environment and a spirit to successfully achieve
their goals.
Work with youth in Centers as well is based on coaching, or orientation. The
consultant neither prejudge the content of the discussions nor solves the
problems or undertake tasks of participants. Consultant only asks questions and
helps find solutions to the client itself.
