Zaragoza, Spain – December 4, 2025 – The Smart Step project officially wrapped up its activities with a dynamic final public event held at Etopia – Center for Art and Technology in Zaragoza, bringing together stakeholders from Europe and Africa to explore the link between education and entrepreneurship.

The event marked the culmination of the project’s final transnational meeting, hosted by Asociación Mundus, which ran from December 2 to 4. The first days focused on internal sessions where the consortium reviewed project results, shared action plans, and reflected on the long-term impact of Smart Step on entrepreneurship and work-based learning across partner countries.

Exploring Zaragoza’s Innovation Ecosystem

Partners also experienced Zaragoza’s thriving innovation landscape. Visits included:

• Etopia – Center for Art and Technology, a hub for creativity and technology.

• Zaragoza Activa, a public center fostering social innovation and citizen entrepreneurship.

• La Terminal, an incubator supporting tech startups through mentoring and collaborative learning.

• CIEM Zaragoza, led by Grupo Init, which promotes open innovation and sustainable business development by connecting entrepreneurs, companies, and researchers.

These visits highlighted Zaragoza as a model for cultivating entrepreneurial culture through creativity, collaboration, and community engagement.

Round Table: Connecting Education and Entrepreneurship

On the final day, the consortium returned to Etopia for a Round Table discussion, moderated by Oscar Morant, Vice-Rector of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). The panel brought together leaders from both the education and entrepreneurship sectors:

• Benedict Mensah (Ghana) – Research, Networking, and Advocacy Coordinator, Don Bosco Youth Network, West Africa (DBYN), offering the West African perspective on youth entrepreneurship and TVET.

• Javier Val Burillo (Spain) – Director of the Business, Employer Organizations, and Entrepreneurship Area at CEOE Aragón and CEOE Zaragoza, representing the local business ecosystem.

• Jorge Martín (Spain) – Coordinator of European Projects at Salesianos Zaragoza, sharing insights on VET education and school-based entrepreneurial learning.

The discussion explored how educational pathways and entrepreneurial ecosystems can better align, and how Europe and Africa can co-create opportunities that empower young people to turn ideas into real businesses.

A Legacy of Partnerships and Entrepreneurial Spirit

While the Smart Step project officially concludes, its impact continues through the networks, partnerships, and entrepreneurial mindset it fostered across Ghana, Cameroon, and Europe. The project has strengthened vocational education, introduced innovative teaching methodologies, and provided trainers and students with tools to build sustainable and inclusive businesses.

Smart Step leaves a lasting mark, demonstrating how cross-continental collaboration can transform education into a driver for innovation, entrepreneurship, and real-world impact.