ComEnt - Fostering Innovation in Community Led Enterprise Development

Financed by: EU Commission, Erasmus+ Programme

Total value: 295 266 Euro

Period: 01.11.2021 - 31.01.2024

Lead partner: Limerick Institute of Technology

Partners:

• Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (Ireland)
• Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (Germany)
• Archivio della Memoria (Italy)
• Burgas Free University (Bulgaria)
• Fundatia Alaturi de Voi Romania (Romania)
• Communities Creating Jobs (Ireland)
• Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (Austria)

About the project:

This project wishes to equip stakeholders with the necessary knowledge, skillsets, and competencies to develop and enhance the development of community owned and community-led enterprises, which would be an innovative approach to fostering social inclusion amongst marginalized groups and disadvantaged areas across Europe. Ultimately, the stimulation of this kind of thinking and the development of a competent body of practitioners throughout Europe would lead to an increase in this particular form of community development which is enterprise and employment focused.

Objectives:

1. To identify and reflect on best practice examples of successful community enterprise and determine their critical success factors.
2. To develop and enhance the knowledge, skillsets, and competencies of learners on the concepts of community-led local development and community owned enterprises; and to apply an empowering and consultative framework in encouraging communities to become ‘enterprising’.
3. To develop a course syllabus and associated teaching and learning resources, with a possible focus on: community enterprise models / approaches; leadership, human resources and operational management in community enterprise; governance / legal entity frameworks; and finance.
4. To engage with higher education institutions, policymakers and relevant community development stakeholders with regard to replicating this innovative educational programme on completion of the project.

Activities and results:

A stronger awareness among academics, students and policymakers about the nature, purpose, barriers and enablers for the different models of community enterprise development; − comprehensive information flows between the community and voluntary sector; higher education institutions, statutory agencies; and private sector (quadruple helix) on the necessity for improved levels of skills for employability and new business creation (including social and community entrepreneurship);

A shared understanding among researchers; lecturers; graduates; and community and voluntary sector on the knowledge, skills and competency requirements for empowering social entrepreneurs to promote sustainable community-owned enterprises and employment.

An innovative accredited on-line / blended special purpose award (15 ECTS) and associated educational materials on community enterprise. The course units within the special purpose award can be incorporated independently into relevant educational programmes offered by higher education or VET institutions.

European conference and local conferences.