ChangeMakers - Start-ups for sustainable environment created by youngsters

The project's main result is the creating 50 cross-border mini-companies. A mini-company is a team, which has students from at least two project countries. One team includes 3 - 5 students from different participating schools.

Sustainable element is defined as a product, service, application or solution, in which environmental challenge (f.e. circuit economy,reusing, reducing and recycling) is the basis for mini-company's business idea.

Altogether 250 students from Finland, Åland, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia are taking part in cross-border start-up simulation and getting mentoring and coaching from business experts, but also from experts in circuit economy. Their ideas and prototypes can be future developed to "real" business.

In simulation student confront and take up different challenges, act and work independently to achieve goals, stick to intentions and carry out planned tasks. They are forced to set long-, medium- and short-term goals, define priorities and action plans, and adapt to unforeseen changes. Also, students work together and co-operate with others to develop ideas and turn them into action, but also solve conflicts and face up to competition positively when necessary. These kind of activities is the best to learn 21st century skills.

Altogether 20 teachers are trained to guide cross-border student start-ups. They get experiences to utilize in future study modules in vocational schools and upper secondary schools.

The ePlatform will be developed and tested. All the learning materials are shared in ePlatform, from which other schools utilize developed materials or holistic methodology.