Entrepreneurship Seminar

The funding initiative in North Rhine-Westphalia, launched by the Kommende-Stiftung beneVolens, targets educational institutions aiming to specifically support socially disadvantaged secondary school students at priority schools. Since 2016, the practice-oriented entrepreneurship seminar has enabled young people to establish real student companies, thereby experiencing all phases from product idea through marketing and sales to accounting. As a grant program in the field of vocational training and further education, it sustainably promotes entrepreneurial knowledge as well as personal and social skills. Through the continuous allocation of funds, schools in NRW are given the opportunity to provide their young participants with valuable insights into the economic system and practical project work.

Participation requires cooperation with the Kommende-Stiftung beneVolens and the involvement of secondary school students from the participating schools. The funding objective is to strengthen the youths’ independence and teamwork skills by having them take responsibility for product development, sales channels, and business management processes. The flexible funding structure ensures sustainable support over multiple cycles and adapts to local needs. In this way, educational institutions receive the opportunity to offer disadvantaged youths in North Rhine-Westphalia a comprehensive, realistic, and motivating learning experience, thereby preparing them optimally for the transition to vocational training or employment.