As we move forward into mid-2025, we are excited to present the fifth newsletter of the Smart Step project! This edition highlights the key milestones achieved during the last six months and gives a glimpse of the final activities ahead. Ready to catch up on our journey? Let’s get started!

What has happened in the last 6 months?

During the first half of the third year of the project, Smart Step African VET schools began the concrete implementation of entrepreneurial incubators within their institutions. Dedicated mentors were carefully selected and have been actively participating in capacity-building activities, including online training sessions and training-of-trainers seminars.

These training modules continue to strengthen essential entrepreneurial competences, covering topics such as:

• Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

• Business Modeling

• Validation Process

• Communicating and Protecting a Business

• Additional content on mentoring skills, incubator setup, and work-based learning resources

A major highlight of this period was the organisation of mobility training sessions in Ghana and Cameroon. Held in May and June 2025, these sessions brought together over 30 participants in each country, including teachers, young entrepreneurs, former students, business professionals, and representatives from educational institutions and public bodies. The exchanges fostered peer learning, practical insights, and strong collaboration between partners.

At the same time, mentors started working directly with students through one-to-one mentoring, thematic seminars, and practical guidance on launching business ideas, even with limited resources.

What is coming?

In the final phase of the project, Smart Step will focus on consolidating results and ensuring long-term impact through:

• Finalisation of entrepreneurial incubators in African VET schools

• A cycle of seminars addressing key entrepreneurial challenges

• Strengthening local and institutional partner networks

• Fostering connections between entrepreneurs, schools, and industry professionals

To close the project, a Final Event in Zaragoza will be organised, where Smart Step’s achievements, best practices, challenges, and future perspectives will be presented and collectively discussed.

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