Fostering Innovation and Social Impact: UE Berlin Hosts NFTE Event and Award Ceremony focused on Entrepreneurial Skills for Youth

On Monday October 14th 2024, 200 students and teachers from 17 countries gathered at the University of Europe (UE) Berlin campus to celebrate the 20th anniversary of NFTE Germany and kick off the YouthStart European Entrepreneurship Awards 2024. The event brought together international stakeholders to highlight the importance of entrepreneurial education for young people. Amongst the jury of the YouthStart Awards were Sagi Hartov, CEO of GGG, as well as Prof. Dr. Kyrioakos Kouveliotis, Provost of the Berlin School of Business and Innovation, and Prof. Dr. Ramon O’Callaghan, President of GISMA University of Applied Sciences.

Founded in 1987, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has reached over one million learners worldwide. The organization provides students, particularly from under-resourced communities, with the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills that empower them to solve real-world problems and positively impact their communities.

“Entrepreneurial thinking is key to self-efficacy,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Sascha J. Flemnitz, Main organizer and host of the event and UE´s Executive Chairman, highlighting the importance of collaborating with organizations like NFTE. “By fostering initiative and problem-solving skills, we create opportunities for young people to become positive changemakers in their communities.”

For the University of Europe, promoting entrepreneurial skills is a central aspect of student education, driven by the belief that our society needs young people who have the courage to break new ground and actively shape both society and the economy with innovative ideas.
“As a university committed to future-oriented education, we see it as our responsibility to equip students with the skills and networks they need in today’s working world,” added Professor Sascha J. Flemnitz. Collaborating with NFTE and YouthStart supports this mission by introducing young people to entrepreneurial pathways early on, encouraging them to think creatively and take on responsibility.

In line with this vision, Dr. Jens Brandenburg, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Education and Research, stated, “We urgently need change towards more openness and flexibility to take things into our own hands. The YouthStart program offers startups run by school students or also run by apprentices the opportunity to apply for a booster grant of up to 1,000 euros. I’m very certain that together we will be very successful in affording financial literacy in Germany the status it deserves.”