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Servicestelle Schülerfirmen
Published on 26 September 2019

Germany
Brandenburg
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Servicestelle-Schülerfirmen, the service department for student companies, is a project that supports the foundation and operation of student companies at all school types in Brandenburg. In 2015, a new ESF-funded project has been implemented in the service department called “Schule mit Unternehmergeist”. It provides trainings at secondary schools that prepare teachers for the integration of entrepreneurship education activities in their classes. Servicestelle-Schülerfirmen seeks to promote entrepreneurial spirit and skills such as self-efficacy, creativity and team spirit in regular schools. Student companies are school projects that start their own business in the school environment. A team of students, in classes or in after school clubs, develops a business idea, creates a business model and starts operating this business – with real products or services, but in the protected school area.
The implementation of entrepreneurship education in schools requires good information, qualification and organizational support of the responsible teachers. Servicestelle-Schülerfirmen is the regional point of contact in Brandenburg that aims to sensitize and encourage schools to test entrepreneurial activities with their students.
It offers individual and free advisory and coaching services for teachers and students who are interested in implementing entrepreneurial projects. The service department also develops and provides teaching material.
The implementation of entrepreneurship education in schools requires good information, qualification and organizational support of the responsible teachers. Servicestelle-Schülerfirmen is the regional point of contact in Brandenburg that aims to sensitize and encourage schools to test entrepreneurial activities with their students.
It offers individual and free advisory and coaching services for teachers and students who are interested in implementing entrepreneurial projects. The service department also develops and provides teaching material.
Expert opinion
This is a good practice focusing on the promotion of entrepreneurial spirit from an early stage. Servicestelle-Schülerfirmen offers support to schools and teachers to provide more practical and hands-on entrepreneurship education at schools. Students are encouraged to set up student businesses with real products and services and are thoroughly guided through the process. Practicing entrepreneurial activity at an early stage in a safe and creative environment can have an important impact on the mindset of the youth. As such it helps to promote the career trajectory of entrepreneurial independence. For policy makers looking for inspiration on how to encourage entrepreneurship among young people or in a school setting, the example from Servicestelle-Schülerfirmen is definitely something to look into.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
• Funding programme (ESF)
• Cooperation between different ministries and a foundation
• Multi-professional team consisting of 7 part-time employees. Three of the team are teachers who are released from their official teacher’s duty by the Ministry of Education
• Cooperation between different ministries and a foundation
• Multi-professional team consisting of 7 part-time employees. Three of the team are teachers who are released from their official teacher’s duty by the Ministry of Education
Evidence of success
No. of student companies: 140
Average no. of involved pupils: 10 – 12 pupils per student company= appox. 1400 pupils
No. of teachers: Since 2015 134 teachers and 63 student teachers (project ”Schule mit Unternehmergeist”)
Average no. of involved pupils: 10 – 12 pupils per student company= appox. 1400 pupils
No. of teachers: Since 2015 134 teachers and 63 student teachers (project ”Schule mit Unternehmergeist”)
Potential for learning or transfer
Student companies in primary and secondary schools offer a field for practical testing of entrepreneurial skills and other key competencies. Students learn playfully how to develop and implement their own business ideas. Working out a business model, they learn to consider different elements that contribute to the success of a business idea. The students practice team work and go through all phases of project management, including the creation process and the sale of their offers. This goes far beyond simulations such as business plan competitions.
The participation in a student company can broaden the future career choices of young people, suggesting entrepreneurial independence as an alternative to the employment relationship.
At the level of teaching structure, the project encourages the testing of innovative teaching methods. Entrepreneurial project work in schools is characterized by free spaces for students and activity oriented lessons.
The participation in a student company can broaden the future career choices of young people, suggesting entrepreneurial independence as an alternative to the employment relationship.
At the level of teaching structure, the project encourages the testing of innovative teaching methods. Entrepreneurial project work in schools is characterized by free spaces for students and activity oriented lessons.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
kobra.net GmbH

Germany
Brandenburg
Contact
Project Manager