Entrepreneurship through Education Scheme

2017

Guidance Notes

MINISTRY FOR THE ECONOMY, INVESTMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS

MINISTRY FOR EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

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A. Introduction

As part of the measures being undertaken by the Administration to promote the growth and

development of entrepreneurial spirit through the education system, Government has again

committed funding for an ‘Entrepreneurship through Education Scheme’ to enable schools to

implement projects that contribute towards this objective. In order for more students to

benefit this project during 2017 will be a pilot for an eventual possible national project

encouraging entrepreneurship throughout all schools.

B. Aims and objectives

This pilot project aims to address the promotion of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurial

qualities through education by sponsoring projects submitted by educational institutions,

through a competitive call for proposals.

The Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business in collaboration with industry

and the Ministry for Education and Employment is making available this financial assistance to

all primary and secondary education institutions (including State, Church and independent

schools) in Malta to fund projects related to Enterprise Education which outcomes shall

include, amongst others:

I. To understand what a business is and define it

II. To understand the factors of production

III. To investigate famous and local entrepreneurs

IV. To identify skills and characteristics of famous/local entrepreneurs and apply this

to students’ own business ideas

V. To work in teams and build up a business.

C. Background

What does ‘entrepreneurship through education mean?

There seems to be a general recognition of two different yet complimentary elements within

the definition of entrepreneurship teaching:

Definitions which focus on types of employment and their outcomes for instance

startups and self employment; and,

Definitions which focus on the attitude of the entrepreneur hence on communication

and thinking skills, with the latter behaviours having an impact on the individual and

society

Hence “entrepreneurship is when actions take place on the basis of opportunites and good

ideas, and these are translated into value for others. The value thus created can be of an

economic, social and cultural nature”. (FFE-YE, 2011)

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Entrepreneurship is a major driver of innovation, competitiveness and growth. The promotion

of entrepreneurial attitudes and skills in our society through education at all levels has been on

the political agenda and has recently been recognized as one of the new basic skills that should

be provided through lifelong learning.

The role of education institutions and universities in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset

among young people, and in making the relevant skills available, is widely acknowledged and

has also been emphasised in the European Commission’ Communication on the Small Business

Act which encourages Member States to:

stimulate innovative and entrepreneurial mindsets among young people by introducing

entrepreneurship as a key competence in school curricula, step up cooperation with

the business community in order to develop systematic strategies for entrepreneurship

education at all levels.

The Communication promotes entrepreneurial skills and attitudes since these provide benefits

to society even beyond their application to business activity. They are also a vehicle for

personal development. In fact, learning about entrepreneurship should include developing

personal qualities such as creativity, taking initiative and responsibility, which prove generally

useful in life and in any working activity.

D. Application Procedure

Applications must be type-written using the application form provided;

A scanned copy of the application form should be sent on

entrepreneurshipeducation.meib@gov.mt followed by a hard-copy which is to be

submitted to the address below by not later than Friday 17th February 2017;

Applications which are submitted later than the prescribed deadline will not be

considered by the Evaluation Committee;

Applications [in hard copy format] are to be submitted by hand or post to the

following Directorate and address, by not later than the prescribed deadline as

mentioned above;

Enterprise Policy & Schemes Directorate,

Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business,

Millennia Building, First Floor

Aldo Moro Road,

Marsa MRS 9065

An acknowledgement receipt for the submission of the application form will be sent

thereafter submission of project proposal;

Any queries may be sent by email on entrepreneurshipeducation.meib@gov.mt or by

phone on 22209863

E. Selection Criteria

This year, the implementation of the each project shall have to have the following format:

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11 meetings structured over 11 weeks, conducted by a mentor provided by the

entreprenuership project and in collaboration with the school – hence the costs shall be

sponsored and not carried by the school itself. During these meetings both the students and

the teachers – thus project leaders – shall be presented with the following themes:

(a) Idea generation

(b) Team building

(c) Market Research

(d) Understanding results

(e) Building Product/service

(f) Trading

(g) Cash flow

(h) Presentation

By the end of these meetings, the students together with their teacher shall use all that has been taught to them during these meetings and come up with a business idea related to a product/service which represents the outcomes from all the above-mentioned meetings as well as the criteria of action, creativity, outward orientation and team building [explained below]. At application stage the evaluation committee shall choose those schools whose entrepreneurial idea best represents these criteria. At the end of these meetings a competition shall be held whereby each entrepreneurial idea is showcased during the national SME week which will be held during October 2017. Further information on this event shall be provided in due time. The reason for this revamp is the will to ensure that both the teachers and their students achieve the necessary knowledge on entrepreneurship so that in the next years such a project would extend. As explained above applicants should clearly demonstrate through their idea how each one of

the following competences and dimensions were present within their projects. It is important

to have elements of each of these dimensions included throughout the project so that the

students may reap the full benefits of entrepreneurship education.

Action:

The emphasis of Entrepreneurship Education here is about students performing and launching

activites which involve planning, setting of goals and organization, of simple projects via

collaboration and networking .

Creativity:

To cultivate within students the ability to generate ideas. Hence enable students to use their

personal experiences and knowledge to create ideas. Students are to identify opportunities and

problems in the world around them and use their abilities, experiment and improvise in order

to enhance and solve such issues, respectively.

Outward Orientation:

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Enable students to interact with the world outside the classroom. Therefore enable them to

collaborate with external partners and stakeholders; opening their eyes to a context beyond

their classroom; and enabling them to be empathetic by understanding the social and cultural

contexts around them

Team Building

Encourage students to have faith in their own capabilities and to work well with their peers.

Thus projects should:

Be unique from one another therefore successfully generating creative ideas as well as

launching activities and creating opportunities which are of value to the student’s

surrounding environment;

Be simple yet concrete. The focus should be on the students’ abilities of turning ideas

into action via the above-mentioned entrepreneurial skills and competencies. The

latter are essential for the development of these students into committed and

responsable citizens; as tools which students may use to shape their own lives; for the

provision of knowledge and skills in order to set up a business or enhance the creativity

and innovation within an organisation;

Involve students as much as possible in every phase of the project beginning from idea

generation onto the actual implementation and into the collection and presentation of

results

F. Selection Process

The interministerial Evaluation Committee is made up of representatives from the Ministry for

Education and Employment and from the Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small

Business (Enterprise Policy & Schemes Directorate).

This Evaluation Committee will evaluate all projects against the established criteria and will

approve a number of projects in order of merit until the available funds are taken up. It may be

possible that the Evaluation Committee might ask for further clarification. It is important to

note that the decision of the Evaluation Committee is final and there is no mechanism for

contestation.

G. Allocation of Funds

Seventy percent of the total costs will be disbursed upon approval of the project proposal. The

remaining thirty percent will be disbursed upon the submission of the Final Report providing

information on the implementation of the project illustrating results achieved together with

related receipts/invoices and other relevant documentation. The Final Report will be subject to

approval by the Evaluation Committee upon fulfilment of the project objectives.

The Final Report including all the related documentation and receipts/invoices shall be

submitted by close of business on Friday, 20th October 2017

H. Administrative Procedure

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i. Eligible Costs1

Items of expenditure should be clearly identified, accompanied with a precise

breakdown to be clearly indicated in the ‘Allocation of Budget’ section of the the

application form and ensure a correct assessment of costs to be incurred;

Such items of expenditure are to include all eligible costs directly related to the

implementation of the project and will not cover the purchasing of equipment for the

implementation of the project as the Evaluation Committee encourages the renting of

equipment. It may be noted that Costs for travel from Malta will not be considered

eligible unless the proposed project is innovative and relating to deliverables not

available in Malta or through the internet ;2

Funds allocated cannot be utilised for items other than those specified;

Staff costs for staff assigned to the project may be included and should should not

exceed 20% of the total budget allocated. It may be noted that such costs should

comprise actual salaries plus social security charges and other statutory costs included

in their remuneration as illustrated in the ‘Allocation of Budget’ section of the the

specimen application form;

It shall be at the sole discretion of the Evaluation Committee to approve the funding of

eligbile costs for the renting of equipment and even perhaps in the case of the

purchasing of equipment (under exceptional circumstances);

ii. Administrative Rules

Capping per project is set at €4,000 per school;

Each school can only submit one project. Primary and secondary levels in the same

school are considered as seperate schools and can therefore submit separate projects;

Applications submitted should be supported by the relevant documentation clearly

highlighting the implementation stages undertaken for the results to be achieved;

State schools should obtain endorsement from the College Principal, whilst in the case

of other schools/colleges the project proposal/s shall need to be endorsed by the

person legally responsible for the school/college;

Schools should abide by the relevant procurement procedures when acquiring

materials and services for the implementation of projects approved under the scheme.

Hence all purchases related to this project need the request of three quotations from

three different suppliers in the market. Please note that the quotations received from

these three different bidders need to be attached to the final report. Hence it would be

best to send a request for quotations via email;

Where programmes to be delivered to individual classes entail the capping for number

of participants, it is to be ensured that at least a minimum of seventeen (17) students

shall need to participate (including where identical programme/s are to be delivered to

a number of classes) and if such threshold is not achieved then such programme/s will

not be considered for funding;

Final Report is to include relevant dates for individual activities and names of all

participants;

1 Applicants are expected to submit as accurate costs as possible to ensure fuller use of funds available. 2 Ideally and in the interest of more efficient verification, small items of expenditure should be met out of the school’s funds while

the larger items should be identified in the project application.

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The Evaluation Committee at its discretion may ask the applicant/s to deliver a

presentation so as to describe better the initiatives implemented and/or to detail

further information of the project proposal;

Subject to satisfying technical criteria, the Evaluation Committee at its discretion may

visit the school/college concerned so as to seek further clarification on the initiatives

implemented and the school/college concerned will be given notice of the planned visit

in advance.

iii. Reporting

Interim Report

The purpose of the interim report is to briefly inform the Evaluation Committee with regards to

the progression of the project, achievement of milestones so as to that the project is

proceeding on schedule. The following are to be taken into consideration:

The project leader must highlight any difficulties that he/she is encountering so that

these difficulties can be addressed before the finalisation of the project;

The interim report can also serve to inform the Evaluation Committee of any minor

deviation from plans submitted and seek approval thereof;

No particular standard and/or format is required and such report is not to exceed three

pages in length;

It is important to delineate the status of each objective and/or milestone and that such

status is reported in a concise and precise manner;

The interim report needs to be endorsed and acknowledged by the Assistant Head and/or Head

of School/College or by the person legally responsible for the school/college.

Final Report

The purpose of the Final Report is to provide the full review of the project and the achievement

of its deliverables. The Final Report should primarily concentrate on the results and impacts of

the activities undertaken throughout the various stages of the implementation of the project.

The Final Report should:

be approximately a maximum of five pages in length (inclusive of the Executive

Summary but not including the required photos) and there is no requirement to adhere

to a particular standard and/or format;

Commence with an Executive Summary as this provides the opportunity to briefly

summarise the Final Report. The Executive Summary should be a maximum of 1xA4

page and it should cover the purpose, activities and final results of the project;

Clearly indicate how the objectives and/or milestones of the project were attained and

to also indicate the impact of these results emanating from the realisation of such

objectives and milestones;

Include pictures of events and/or activities that were undertaken during the project

and/or during various stages of the project. In this case, at least three of the project

photos should include a photo of the project group/project co-ordinator and two

pictures that are symbolic or representative of the project;

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In the case of training sessions and similar programmes, the names of [all] participants

(students and teachers) shall need to be provided by way of an attendance sheet

(dated as when the sessions/training programmes took place) including a reference to

the relevant invoice. Furthermore, such attendance sheet will need to be duly verified

as correct and duly signed by the Head/Principal or Assistant Head of

School/College/the person legally responsible for the school/college as well as

including the signature of the project leader;

In the case where a service shall be provided by a member/s of the school/college staff,

the member/s of staff is/are to issue a receipt to the school/college of which receipt

will indicate their personal details (such as name and designation) as well as detailing

the nature of the service/s provided;

In view of the receipt issued to the school/college (by the staff member for in-house

service/s rendered) thereafter a declaration (type written) on the school/college

letterhead is to be issued by the Head/Principal or Assistant Head of

School/College/the person legally responsible for the school/college and duly verified

as correct by both the Head/Principal or Assistant Head of School/College/the person

legally responsible for the school/college and the project leader. To duly verify such

declaration as correct, [such declaration] will need to be signed by both the

Head/Principal or Assistant Head of School/College/the person legally responsible for

the school/college and project leader and the receipt will need to be attached to this

declaration;

In the case where fiscal receipts are not warranted, an invoice is to be included

showing the VAT paid (if applicable);

Group invoices as per item of expenditure as submitted under ‘Allocation of Budget’;

Explain and justify any substantial under utilisation of allocated funds;

Be submitted to the Committee Secretary of the Evaluation Committee by the

prescribed deadline and any submissions beyond such deadline shall not be considered

for evaluation/refund.

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APPLICATION FORM

Entrepreneurship through Education Scheme 2017 Application Form

A SCHOOL/COLLEGE DETAILS Name of School/College: Mailing Address:

Name of Head of School/College: Type of School/College: (choose where applicable)

Public Independent Church

Level: (choose where applicable)

Primary Secondary

Email Address: Contact Number:

B PROJECT LEADER DETAILS Name of Project Leader: Contact Number: Work Tel:

Mobile: Email Address:

C PROJECT DETAILS Name of Project:

Commencement Date: Date of Completion: Funding Total (€):

D Motivation Why would you like to participate in this project?

E. Explain how elements of ACTION shall be present within this project

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Entrepreneurship Education is based on students performing activities

Students will be performing the following activities (for eg. Plan and carry out simple

activities by carrying out a vox pop or organising a party; evaluate their own activities by

analysing what is best to do and if what they aimed at doing in the project is being achieved; use budget and accounts for simple activities by

raising funds, request for quotations and planning them correctly throughout the project; present results to an audience via a video on the

Ministry’s website or a presentation to the parents or other children; communicate purposefully with other team mates, and

people):

Hence they shall gain knowledge of (for eg. Simple project management; basic budget

management; cooperation and communication skills; simple risk assessment):

F. Explain how elements of CREATIVITY are present within this project

The ability to get ideas, to see and create opportunities and to solve problems

In this project students shall be creative when

they will be: (for eg. generating ideas by brainstorming in groups; expressing their

creativity and imagination through videos, pictures and presentations of their project;

experimenting by trial and error and improvising thus going beyond their comfort zone)

Hence they shall gain knowledge of (for eg.

Concepts of imagination and creativity; learn about the role of creativity in society and how

beneficial it can be; learn about simple creative methods such as experimentation, brainstorming in groups, preparing

presentations)

G. Explain how elements of OUTWARD ORIENTATION shall be present within this project

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Interaction with the world outside the classroom

During this project students shall be (for eg.

Thinking about and reflecting upon the problems and opportunities present in society

because they are targeting the low literacy rate amongst children in Malta when compared to

that of other EU countries; understanding their own cultural background when they are

targeting obesity and eating habits in children; Describing the local and regional economic,

social and cultural issues when targeting bullying in schools)

Hence students shall gain knowledge of (for eg.

Problem solving; knowledge of the local and regional economic, social and culture situation; belonging to a wider community; empathy and

how to place themselves in someone else’s shoes, thinking of other people’s needs)

H. Explain how elements of Team Building shall be present within this project

Student’s faith in their own capabilities to act under uncertain circumstances and belief in their own ability to initiate change and to work with their peers.

During this project students shall be (for eg.

Using their persistence and tenacity to keep on trying and solving the problems which they have identified in their school or society or which may

emerge throughout the project; working in a new environment for them when working with disabled people or old people or within a team or with professionals other than their teachers;

Aiming at succeeding yet be ready to make mistakes and learn from what may have caused

them; explaining their personal dreams and visions)

Hence students shall gain knowledge of (for eg. Using their own personal qualities; who they are

as a person, what are their strengths and weaknesses and how can they grow further;

which career path they might want to take via the new experiences which this project has presented to them; ability to negotiate and

interact with a team.

I. TIMEFRAME ESTIMATE

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Explain the approximate timeframe of each step of your project

No Activity Deliverables Timeframe

1

E.g. Idea-generation; choice of idea/s to be used and the focus of the project; plan of way forward; division of labour, budget management

Class of students pooling in ideas under their teacher’s guidance and managing the necessary budget

March 2017

2 Collection of resources (fund raising, request for quotes, stationeries, ingredients, electronics), actual implementation

Students approaching potential partners to participate within / contribute to their project; students buying the right products or services of staff, amongst others

March – April 2017

3 Collection of results and analysis/discussion of results; discussion of the project, lessons learnt, things which could have been done differently

All students discuss and communicate together about the results and project

September 2017

4 Presentation of outcomes during SME Week.

Students organise the presentation event or launch the result on an electronic portal or set up a report and present it to policy makers

October 2017

J. ALLOCATION OF BUDGET (Indicate the costs and a breakdown of such costs in the implementation of the project)

No Description of Item Cost (estimated)

1 E.g. Remuneration of teachers for staying x hrs after school hours activities. The breakdown of the costings are as follows: - maximum rate for Scale 10 x 1.5 divided by (52 x hrs per week) - therefore maximum rate for Scale 10 (€ 19,113) and a 40hr week = €19,113 x 1.5 = 28669.5 - 52x40 = 2080 - 28669.5/2080 = €13.78 per hourly rate

E.g. €500

2 E.g. Materials for craft’s activity - Buttons: 50x€1 = €50 - Labels: 4x25 = €100 - Acrylic Paint (Black, yellow, green, blue red) 30x€6.50 = €195 - Craft Glue 2x€15 = €30

E.g. €375

3 Workshops/Meetings Seminar - Seminar for 250pax (use of venue, equipment, 2 coffee

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breaks) = €500 - Remuneration for Lecturers = €400

o €40 per hour x2.5hrs =€100 per session x 4sessions

E.g. €900

4 Transport costs relating to Entrepreneurial Visits 4 Visits @ €18.75 each (return trip) 2 classes (total 50 students) visiting 2 Manufacturing Companies and 2 Catering Companies

E.g. €300

5 ......

TOTAL €2075

I hereby declare that the facts stated are true and should this project be selected, such project/s shall be implemented as stated in this application form and in line with the relevant Guidance Notes. I also understand that I may be required to present the project to the Evaluation Committee as described in Guidance Notes. _______________________________ __________________________ Name & Surname of Project Leader Date (Block letters) _______________________________ __________________________ Name & Surname of Head of School/College Principal Date (Block letters)

DECLARATION