Young People, Entrepreneurship and Non-Formal Learning: A Work in Progress

Abstract

[Excerpt] Often regarded as part of the solution for economic growth, entrepreneurship has reached a political momentum. Various universities now offer courses in entrepreneurship; there is an EU-wide policy on entrepreneurial learning in high schools, while the concept of the ‘enterprising child’ (Gribben, 2006) is likely to make the approach appealing to primary education and below. The potency of entrepreneurship in the policy agenda is able to reactivate discus- sions on the role of youth work in a way that other issues have not. Questions of if, and to what extent youth work could or should engage with entrepreneurial learning are beginning to arise. This book tries to contribute to this timely debate. In doing so, it formulates questions more than it is able to provide complete answers. The hope is to bring fresh perspectives into an old debate on the mission of youth work in changing social and economic times. It aims to open up an uncharted area that looks into the relationship between youth work (non-formal learning) and entrepreneur- ship. It explores the theoretical developments in the field, the dilemmas and tensions, and proposes practice-oriented information: illustrative examples, strategies for action and methods of non-formal education.