Promotion of Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Scandinavian Model

Statistics relative to education for entrepreneurship draw on responses to the questionnaire sent by the ‘Polifonia’ Project’s Working Group 4 to European conservatoires in January 2013.

Education for Entrepreneurship

Promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship has been integrated by Scandinavian countries at every educational level.

Examples of Good Practice
– Sweden: since 2009, a reform process supports the development of entrepreneurship programs.
– Finland: promotion of entrepreneurship is included the development plan for education and research (2011-2016).
– Denmark: since 2001, there exists a public-private foundation for entrepreneurship in primary and secondary schools, and since 2004, the International Danish Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA) for entrepreneurship fosters education in universities.
– Norway: the action plan «Entrepreneurship in Education and Training» 2009-2014 has been implemented from the primary school level through to higher education.

• Primary and Secondary Schools

In Scandinavian countries, entrepreneurship is taught from primary school on as a cross-curricular skill and not as a separate class.

Examples of Good Practice
– Sweden: in 2009, the National Agency for Education gave comprehensive support material to primary and secondary schools with examples on how to include entrepreneurship training in teaching. In 2012, schools were awarded grants to stimulate the development of entrepreneurial learning. Entrepreneurship is integrated in school curricula and examinations.
– Norway: entrepreneurship is integrated in the National Curriculum for Knowledge Promotion in Primary and Secondary Education and Training.
– In secondary schools, entrepreneurship education is part of the compulsory subject ‘Social Studies’ and is included as well within many new optional subjects.

• Universities

Scandinavian universities systematically teach entrepreneurship in many different classes and create projects for students that include the development of an entrepreneurial mindset.

Example of Good Practice: Denmark
The IDEA organizes innovation camps where students, teachers and entrepreneurs can meet. In 2008, IDEA launched an international Master in Entrepreneurship Training with Danish and European universities.

• Conservatoires

All Conservatoires responding believe their region promotes the development of innovative and entrepreneurial projects in the higher education or cultural sector.

Example of Good Practice: Norway – ‘Towards Cultural Entrepreneurship’

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