The radical new project will boost awareness of the co-operative model, training teachers on the significant benefits of cooperative entrepreneurship and boosting its incorporation into the curriculum at both at secondary and university education.

Titled YOUCOOPE, the 18 month programme is led by Santander International Entrepreneurship Centre (CISE) and benefits from a support budget of over 230,000 euros thanks to co-finance from the European Commission.

It sees us play a key role, developing training resources alongside eight institutions from Belgium, UK, Italy, Spain and Wales.

Building knowledge of co-operatives across Europe

Building on the success of the previous ECOOPE European project, this new scheme will once again see a focus on blended-learning and implementation of the train the trainer methodology. New resources will include a free online course, downloadable content and face-to-face sessions for teachers across both education levels.

All materials developed by YOUCOOPE will reference the EntreComp European Framework for the development of entrepreneurial skills (supported by the European Commission) ensuring that essential soft skills, such as communication and listening, are developed to prepare the participants for the future world of work.

Following the success of the ECOOPE project, we’re delighted to once again partner with a number of institutions from across Europe for this new project, spreading the understanding of co-operatives to new audiences thanks to a brand new suite of learning materials. We know that the co-op model offers people the opportunity to run an ethical business that benefits not only those who work in them, but also the wider community too, and look forward to inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs to choose the model to achieve their ambitions.

Dr Sarah Alldred, International Programme Manager, Co-operative College

Education in Entrepreneurship and Co-operativism

In its first stage, YOUCOOPE will significantly boost digital capacity in both secondary and university educators through a MOOC on entrepreneurial education and cooperativism. It’s hoped that by utilising this technology, the project will reach a large group of teachers in at least five European countries, with Spain and Italy highlighted as priority benficiaries. Following this online training, four face-to-face pilot experiences in both countries will be carried out, complementing the learning and reinforcing the methodologies that need to be applied in the classroom at both secondary and university level.

The resources generated during the project will also encourage educational institutions to look for collaboration with existing co-operatives in their local area, offering young people the opportunity to see the co-operative model in action and understand the benefits that it brings to the local area.

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