Supporting youth entrepreneurs in meeting Sustainable Development Goals through a peer certification system

Stars4SD was developed to enhance youth entrepreneurship in the EU, focusing on active citizenship and innovation, and emphasizing the significance of five SDGs. It addressed the gap in young entr...

Start4SD objectives were to: • Support entrepreneurship for youth as part of the European Reference Framework on Key Competences • Capitalize on the Resolution adopted by the European Parliament in 2015 stressing the role of Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation in order to contribute to youth unemployment • Develop, test and implement innovative practices by providing social entrepreneurial competences, such as business and strategic planning with a sustainability dimension • Develop an award system for youth-led SMEs

The Stars4SD project was dedicated to developing and implementing 4 Project Results. Specifically under the PR1 Youth entrepreneurs' coaching and training of SDGs, the following tasks have been completed: PR1-Τ1.1: Developing the research methodology and tools for the mapping of the trainingneeds of youth entrepreneurs; The methodology defined: a) Objectives of the analysis,research methods and approach; b) Tools and templates c) Logical structure of the national reports to summarise the results. PR1-Τ1.2 Implementing questionnaires and interviews with youth entrepreneurs who have been already started their businesses and collection of good practices.117 youth entrepreneurs and experts in the field of entrepreneurship from 6 partner countries across Europe filled out the survey and 37 experts in the field of entrepreneurship participated in interviews conducted by the partner countries, and they provided their input regarding the needs of youth entrepreneurs, the skills that are needed for sustainable entrepreneurship and the realities of different entrepreneurship ecosystems. A transnational report has depicted the results of extensive research in all partner countries. PR1-Τ1.3-T1.5 Development of youth entrepreneurs' coaching and training material on SDGs (available in 5 languages). The material includes Modules regarding the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Tools for Step-by-Step SDG Alignment, Business Contribution to SDGs, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship, and Entrepreneurship competencies. PR1-T2 Train the Trainer Seminar and Guide for Coaches. The partners delivered training sessions with more than 100 professionals in the field of youth work, NGOs and entrepreneurship on how they can train young people on SDGs and entrepreneurship. PR2, Stars4SD methodology, related to the design and development of the Stars4SD star awarding system. Partners worked on it and specifically suggested a new framework for business administration that introduced an award system,designed according to five UN SDGs that have been selected as the most relevant to youth entrepreneurship. PR2-T1: Stars4SD Methodology Context - Led by CARDET, this task involved developing a detailed methodology for the Stars4SD award system. The methodology integrated various elements such as participant actions, sustainability criteria, implementation levels, physical evidence, design of the awards, and adherence to national rules and regulations. The development process was structured into five phases: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. Partners collaboratively reviewed and refined the methodology for final approval. PR2-T2: Stars4SD Methodology Adaptation - This task, also led by CARDET, provided guidance to young entrepreneurs for adapting the Stars4SD award scheme in their businesses. The methodology covered technical and operational aspects, targeting youth-led organizations and individuals aspiring to enhance their businesses with a focus on sustainability. It included support processes in technical, administrative, financial, and managerial aspects. The methodology also incorporated criteria such as quality education, gender equality, economic growth, reduced inequalities, and responsible consumption. Partners contributed insights based on their respective national frameworks. PR2-T3: Stars4SD Sustainability Plan - This task involved creating a sustainability plan for youth entrepreneurs who implemented the Stars4SD award model. Led by CARDET, the plan included a product vision for the award system, an execution plan, and time-bound objectives with specific metrics. The plan aimed to ensure the award system's sustainability post-project completion. PR3:Stars4SD Network which focused on establishing and operationalizing the Stars4SD Network with young enterpreneurs and experts in the field of enterpreneruship. PR3-T1.1: Conceptual Design of the Stars4SD Network: Led by KMOP Policy Center and project partners, this task involved defining the network's scope, objectives, KPIs, and overall function. It included specifying the type, size, and functions of the network, along with drafting an action plan for participant engagement. The final structure was determined through collaborative online brainstorming sessions. PR3-T1.2: Technical Implementation: This stage dealt with creating the network's interface, content, and user technical specifications. The platform aimed to facilitate intercultural dialogue and idea exchange, featuring functions like registration processes, and hosting of the Stars4SD competition. PR3-T1.3: Technical Infrastructures. Key elements in this phase included selecting system integration methods for data exchange, platform governance with centralized control mechanisms, development of maintenance and support mechanisms. PR3-T2.1: Setting up the Stars4SD Competition Structure. KMOP PC as the project result leader, developed the structure of the Stars4SD campaign and competition. All partners contributed feedback, considering their country-specific barriers, cultural contexts, and entrepreneurial cultures. The competition structure included campaign organization, call preparation, participation rules, assessment criteria, organizational details, application and registration systems, and design of the Stars4SD award. PR3-T2.2: Stars4SD Competition Implementation. Each project partner organized a national competition, incorporating the aforementioned elements. The goal of the competition and the network was to incentivize youth entrepreneurs and raise awareness about sustainability and environmental practices. Each country engaged more than 20 youth-led businesses participate, and 110 businesses and youth enterpreneurs are registed on the Network promoting the SDGs through their entrepreneurial activities. PR3-T2.3: User Guide. KMOP PC, after gathering feedback from all partners, drafted a user guide for participants in the Stars4SD Network. This e-publication, available in all partner languages, included guidance on platform use and navigation, criteria and requirements for participation. PR4: Good Practice Guide PR4-T1.1 Background Desk Research: Each partner conducted short-scale desk research to assess existing programs, practices, and methodologies that boost sustainability goals in youth entrepreneurship. This research focused on aspects like methodology, transferability, accessibility, and applicability in different contexts. PR4-T1.2 Consultations and Meetings. Partners organized meetings and consultations with key stakeholders, including youth entrepreneurs, business organizations, policymakers, and field professionals. In total, 60 individuals participated in consultations/meetings, with the insights gained integrated into the guide. PR4-T1.3 Development of the Draft Version of the Guide CESIE drafted the guide, considering key indicators such as effectiveness, sustainability, gender equality, technical feasibility, participatory perspective, replicability, and crisis management. PR4-T1.4 Finalization and Publication/Dissemination of the Guide. After incorporating outcomes from PR4-T1.2 activities, the guide was finalized. PR4-T2: Lessons Learnt and Policy Recommendations. The guide also included lessons learned from PR1, PR2, and PR3, offering recommendations to youth entrepreneurs, consumers, and companies. CESIE, in collaboration with all partners, drafted the contents, incorporating experiences from competition pilots and country-specific factors. This report, aimed at policy makers to foster policy dialogue, was drafted in English and translated into the languages of the partner countries.

The concrete outcomes that the project delivered are the following: 1. A transnational research report aimed to explain the attitudes, knowledge gaps and needs of youth entrepreneurs in relation to sustainability criteria integration on business. The report includes information regarding the entrepreneurship ecosystem in partner countries, the national frameworks (in brief) on entrepreneurship, the training programmes for youth entrepreneurs and good practices in integration of SDGs into businesses; 2. Youth Entrepreneurs’ Coaching and Training on SDGs: Developed educational training materials for youth entrepreneurs and trainers, based on existing materials and good practices on SDGs and entrepreneurship. 3. Train the Trainer Guide, focusing on how professionals in the field of entrepreneurship can organize and implement trainings based on the coaching and training material 4. Stars4SD Methodologies: Developed a methodology outlining steps for youth-led enterprises to align with SDGs, including a guide on the star awarding system. This methodology covers technical and operational aspects of sustainable growth and incentivizes participants with guidelines on the award system. 5. Stars4SD Sustainability Plan: Designed to foster the ongoing use and impact of the Stars4SD Methodology beyond the project's completion. It outlines a mindset and a structured action plan agreed upon by the project partners to maximize the mainstreaming of the outcomes, ensuring the methodology's continued utilization and sustained long-term impact. 6. Stars4SD Network: Designed and implemented the Stars4SD network as a platform for hosting professionals and businesses that are promoting the SDGs, the awarding system, and organizing campaigns and competitions for youth entrepreneurs. The Network provides also a User Manual translated in all partner languages. 7. Stars4SD Good Practice Guide: It is an essential resource that compiles a range of best practices in implementing the SDGs model in youth SMEs at local, national, and European levels. Drawing on extensive desk and field research, as well as insights from youth entrepreneurs who participated in the Stars4SD Competition, the Guide presents a comprehensive collection of European cases highlighting how young entrepreneurs have successfully integrated sustainability into their operations, alongside key areas where they require further support. 8. Stars4SD Policy Recommendation Report: The report outlines strategies for effectively promoting sustainability in youth entrepreneurship. It is grounded in evidence from project research and feedback from youth entrepreneurs participating in the STARS4SD Competition. The report is structured into two sections: a summary of key lessons from the project's outputs and policy recommendations, further subdivided for local, regional, national, and European policymakers, as well as multi-level governance. It targets not only policymakers but also other stakeholders who can influence and support sustainable youth entrepreneurship initiatives, including advisory organizations, investors, NGOs, and civil society organizations. Furthermore, a Project and Quality management Plan, as well as a Dissemination Plan, were created. These documents elaborate more on the set up of the project, ways of communication, reporting, visual identity and social media activity. Lastly, during the project lifetime, a Dissemination report and an Evaluation Report was developed describing key aspects of the project outreach and quality.