Being Entrepreneurial 2024: A Hands-On Learning Experience
On November 28, 2024, during the Being Entrepreneurial 2024 conference the EntreComp4Transition project was invited to present an enlightening workshop, Stepping into the Twin Transition: A Co-Creative Simulation for European SMEs. Facilitated by experts Marianella Parra (Bantani Education) and Filip Burgelman (Thomas More University) – both project partners from the Belgian Country Cluster, this event combined experiential learning with strategic problem-solving to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in navigating the intertwined challenges of digital and green transitions.
The Twin Transition and EntreComp4Transition’s Mission
This workshop was grounded in the EntreComp4Transition Learning Paths, which foster an entrepreneurial mindset while equipping participants with the skills to become Green Transition Facilitators. At its core, EntreComp4Transition aims to close skills gaps by enabling participants to identify, design, and implement innovative solutions aligned with sustainability and digitalisation.
A Closer Look: The Simulation Workshop
Attendees were immersed in a co-creative simulation that mimicked real-world challenges faced by SMEs. They adopted roles as Twin Transition Facilitators to assist two fictional companies:
- AgriSun, an Andalusian agro-business struggling with high energy costs, low digital literacy, and limited resources.
- SmartLogix, a Belgian logistics firm grappling with diesel dependency, operational inefficiencies, and a lack of sustainable strategies.
Through this role-playing exercise, participants explored strategies to overcome barriers while balancing financial, technological, and environmental priorities.
Guiding Questions and Strategic Insights
To stimulate critical thinking and innovation, facilitators provided key guiding questions. These spanned three dimensions of transition:
- Digital Transition: Identifying technological gaps, evaluating digital literacy, and envisioning productivity gains.
- Sustainable Transition: Assessing environmental footprints, embedding sustainability into supply chains, and prioritising impactful goals.
- Entrepreneurial Transition: Encouraging creative problem-solving, risk-taking, and adaptability to market changes.
Participants also confronted real-world SME concerns, such as justifying digital investments, overcoming resistance to change, balancing sustainability costs, and aligning innovation with customer expectations.
Key Takeaways for Transition Leaders
The workshop highlighted that the journey toward sustainability and digitalisation requires not only strategic investments but also a cultural shift within organisations. By fostering collaboration and leveraging incremental wins, SMEs can make significant strides toward a greener and more resilient future.
Building Capacity for a Sustainable Europe
The workshop exemplified the power of experiential learning in tackling contemporary challenges. By equipping participants with actionable strategies and an entrepreneurial mindset, initiatives like EntreComp4Transition pave the way for SMEs to lead in Europe’s twin transition.
Are you ready to step into the role of a Green Transition Facilitator? Join the Learning Paths and transform challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth.
