Hannah in Galicia – Month 4

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This was a great month. Galicia feels like something very homey already. The people I met, the nature around me, the project here, it all feels familiar already and like it’s coming together nicely. We did a bioconstruction workshop at the place where my project will be evolving and my project and its vision to renovate a stone house into a learning center became more graspable and concrete as I learned that it is actually possible to do. Building with wood, stone, clay and calk is so beautiful. The photo below was from the workshop with the bioconstruction teachers.

Dennis has helped me immensely to learn so many things about the region, the construction industry and possibilities, has connected me to his network and so on. We have done a small workshop together around permaculture and food forests and will be doing another one in January. The Foundry also hosted a little Christmas market with an exhibition of art from children that are part of a school project at the Foundry.

There will also be the annual association assembly in January that I will be participating in. To do that I have decided to become an associate in the Foundry, which I am very happy about, as I will stay in Galicia. That also allows me to co-create with the Foundry and be more involved in it in the future, partner up with our project, do cool things together and so on. 😊 I am looking forward to spending the holidays here with everyone and celebrate the many things happening in the past months in my project and in the process of this Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs stay. Merry Christmas!

Hannah in Galicia – Month 3

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I have now, more or less, arrived at the half of my stay in Galicia.

It really feels like a very productive time here, as I am not only learning so much from Dennis and the Foundry, but also progressing a lot in my project. The highlight is that we (meaning I and my sister, who is doing the project with me) took the decision to officially found the legal entity of our project here in Galicia, a non-profit organisation (in Spanish: organización sin fines de lucro). We called it “Pouqiño a pouqiño”, in English “step by step” inspired by the Galician mentality to not rush it but rather go with the flow and take small continuous steps towards the vision. This feels like the official start of a big commitment, but amazing as it is exactly what we have always wanted. Now things are getting more concrete. Of course, this was a lot of bureaucratic work and still is. However, I find the Spanish bureaucracy more straight forward than the German one, so that’s a plus :-D.

On top of that, we are working a lot on our financial strategy, our business model right now, where I receive lots of ideas from Dennis as well, which is great.

In the Foundry always happen so many things, that it is impossible to write about everything. The latest highlight was the creation of a geoglyph out of turnip greens, that also attracted the local press. You can read about the project here (but it’s in Spanish) https://www.elprogreso.es/articulo/a-marina/geoglifo-grelos-marina/202311141333161708133.html. The Foundry continues to be a thriving place with many cultural and educational events happening and I continue to be deeply inspired by it as well as its visionary: Dennis 😊. This Sunday is a public exhibition of the geoglyph and art from school students that use the Foundry as their creative classroom, which I am looking forward to. Grateful for this Erasmus opportunity.

EYE für ukrainische Jungunternehmer*innen

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„Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs“  – das Austauschprogramm für Unternehmer*innen fördert nun gezielt den Austausch von ukrainischen Jungunternehmern!

2023 wurde die Initiative ins Leben gerufen um ukrainischen Jungunternehmer*innen die Teilnahme am EYE Programm zu ermöglichen.
Jungunternehmer die sich seit Beginn des Krieges in der Ukraine in einem der EU Länder niedergelassen haben, können einen Austausch mit einem erfahrenen europäischen Unternehmer eingehen.

Besonderheit für ukrainische Jungunternehmer*innen: Der Austausch muss nicht im Ausland erfolgen, sondern kann in dem Land durchgeführt werden, in dem die Person aktuell ansässig ist. Finanzielle Förderung gibt es trotzdem!

Wenn Sie mehr erfahren möchten, schreiben Sie uns an: eye@bupnet.de.

Hannah in Galicia – month 2

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The second month here in Galicia is almost over and a lot has happened – in my project and the Foundry.

Working with Dennis is great, he is very open to show me everything and takes his time to go in depth with certain topics, we get lost in conversations quite often. He also has taken me to community events around the area. My favourite one was a rewilding activity for the eucalyptus monocultures. I learned a lot about the ecosystems including eucalyptus monocultures here as well as the economic and social problems and opportunities connected to them. It’s a complex topic, but it really is crazy how eucalyptus has overtaken the forests here.

The time here has really propelled my research for my project too when it comes to house renovation planning, prices and the legal conditions. Inspired from Dennis and my new environments, I also gained new ideas for future events, community building activities and educational offers for my learning center. The best thing is that I have come to learn about all legal entity possibilities for my project and believe to have found the best option for it’s thyme and our learning center, the “Hope Hub”.  I have researched about the steps to found a non-profit Spanish association, which is what we will probably create.

It feels like it will be all coming together slowly – and I am only here for two months, I cannot wait to spend more time learning, progressing, planning and implementing next steps for my project. Furthermore, the next weeks look interesting as Dennis and I are talking about teaming up for some first events together.

Next to all the project developments, we have had some crazy weather, 2 weeks of pure sunshine and 30 degrees, which allowed me to spend some more time by the beach, in the water and visiting some more places by the beautiful coast and forests. I also started “ice-bathing” in the mountain water river, which is already quite cold. The picture shows the spot where I mostly go to which is close to where I live – it’s so beautiful! Now it’s raining and stormy again, let’s see what November will bring!

Hannah in Galicia- first month

Jungunternehmer

A very exciting first month is over. I came to Galicia to learn more about the wonderful community project “The Foundry” of Dennis while also working on the expansion of my project “it’s thyme”. My vision is to build a learning center for sustainability and social innovation in Galicia through renovating an old stone house in a sustainable traditional way, creating a sustainable food forest, building community around it, offering educational programs and throwing event and much more.

Because Dennis has founded a project in Galicia which included the renovation of old stone houses, community-building and sustainability, I was excited to get to know his project better and learn from him. He welcomed me warmly, showing me around and introducing me to the people and animals currently living there. We dedicated a lot of time to getting to know each other’s projects through presentations and just lots of conversations in the office, the Foundry’s community rooms or in the garden. Next to that I soaked up all the impressions about the community life at the Foundry as the way the project is designed around self-organization is very fascinating to me. There have also been some small events happening at the Foundry such as a discussion night around gentrification in Galicia, which I joined and a hands-on workshop around pottery. It’s nice to see how broad the activities are here.

Next to the impressions at the Foundry, I feel very lucky to be in this part of Europe as it is truly beautiful with all the amazing forests, mountains and valley views, really magical beaches and long coastline full of nice spots to explore. So far, the environmental factors such as the climate, flora & fauna here in Galicia are very supportive for my project. I am looking forward to the next months ahead of me and am curious what else I will encounter and learn. However, I can already say that I truly feel grateful to be part of the EU once again to enjoy such great exchange program that will surely help me and my project grow a lot!

Jonas in Las Palmas – last month

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In the fourth and final month of my participation in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program in Gran Canaria, I can look back with pride on the significant progress and achievements I have made in my entrepreneurial journey.

This month I have fully devoted myself to the creation and management of an online community for The Investor University. The goal of the project was to transform an existing group of students and members into a thriving and interactive community where they could share valuable insights and information about investment strategies.

With the guidance and support of my host entrepreneur, I successfully developed a long-term strategy for managing the online community. I worked to understand the needs and expectations of the platform’s users, assess their responses and satisfaction, and make the necessary improvements to enhance the user experience and increase engagement.

One of the key aspects of the project was the use of Discord, a communication platform, for community management. I learned the features and functions of Discord and, with HE’s guidance, created a content plan and scheduled regular posts to keep the community engaged. Through continuous changes, activities, and multimedia content, I ensured that the community remained active and grew.

During this month, I also honed my marketing skills and learned effective strategies to promote the online platform and build a strong user base. The HE provided me with valuable insights into user interactions and activities, which helped me plan new courses and tools to effectively meet their needs.

The experience of managing the online community was invaluable, and I gained skills in customer service, data analysis, content creation, and social media management. I also improved my image and video editing skills, which will be useful for future marketing efforts.

Overall, my participation in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program in Gran Canaria was a life changing experience. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be surrounded by experienced entrepreneurs and experts who guided and inspired me on this journey.
Now, as I approach the end of the program, I am excited and confident to start my entrepreneurial journey with a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience. I am determined to apply everything I have learned to successfully start and run my own business, and I look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the entrepreneurial community. The Erasmus program was the steppingstone I needed to achieve my dreams, and I will always cherish this transformative experience.

Jonas in Las Palmas – month 3

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In the third month of my participation in the „Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs“ program in Gran Canaria, I have experienced a remarkable development. My skills and knowledge as a young entrepreneur have developed and I feel increasingly confident and competent in my role.

This month I have focused intensively on implementing my business idea. With the help of the experienced entrepreneurs and experts on site, I have refined my business model and adapted it to the requirements of the market. Through their valuable advice and constructive feedback, I was able to further develop my ideas and concretize my plans.

By actively contributing to new ideas and processes, my creative side is strengthened and improved. Through the increasing responsibility I can make more decisions on my own and I learn to deal with the consequences.

The inspiring atmosphere here in Gran Canaria has further fueled my creativity and innovation. The beauty of the island and the pleasant climate contribute to the fact that I feel motivated and full of energy every day. Being able to relax on the beautiful beaches after work or take advantage of the wide range of leisure activities on offer has helped me find a healthy balance between work and leisure.

With each passing day, my enthusiasm for my entrepreneurial journey grows and I firmly believe that after completing the Erasmus program, I will be well prepared to successfully start and run my own business.

Jonas in Las Palmas – month 2

Jungunternehmer

Jonas is currently doing a 6 months exchange in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. Here you can ready what he has experienced during his second month.

In the second month of my participation in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program in Gran Canaria, I have fully engaged in the whole process. I have reached a point where I can handle most tasks independently and my level of responsibility is steadily growing. Applying my newly acquired knowledge and skills to my future projects has become second nature, and the program provides me with a safe and supportive environment in which to hone my skills.

One notable change during this month has been the continued development of my mindset. I have embraced an entrepreneurial mindset that allows me to more effectively execute my ideas and vision. I have learned to look at situations from different angles, which allows me to look at things from different angles and come up with innovative solutions.

My constant thirst for knowledge drives me forward, and I am constantly having new and exciting experiences. This continuous growth in knowledge has equipped me with the tools to tackle new challenges with ease. I am adept at dealing with various problems and have developed a repertoire of solutions. This new found resourcefulness not only enables me to overcome obstacles, but also paves the way for my continued personal and professional development.

Gran Canaria’s vibrant environment has provided an inspiring backdrop for my entrepreneurial journey. The entrepreneurial spirit on the island has served as a catalyst for my own innovative thinking, and I am motivated to push the boundaries of my comfort zone.

Participating in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program in Gran Canaria has been an invaluable opportunity for me to expand my skills and knowledge to pursue my path as an entrepreneur. The practical experience I am able to gain here is unparalleled and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on my future professional endeavors. I am very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to the remaining time in the program where I can continue to learn, grow, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.

Jonas in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Jungunternehmer

As a young entrepreneur, it is always important to develop and acquire new skills. Therefore, I was very grateful when I learned that I could participate in the Erasmus program in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. My focus is on developing a camping app.

In my first four weeks here, I have already learned an incredible amount. I am surrounded by experienced entrepreneurs and experts who support me with valuable advice. The atmosphere here is truly inspiring and it’s great to work with others who all have their own innovative ideas. I am impressed by the openness and positive energy that exists here.

I feel warmly welcomed by the Erasmus program host company and we have already formed a strong community. We work together and support each other in our projects. There are also many opportunities to improve our knowledge and skills.

Being here in Gran Canaria also contributes to my positive experience. The weather here is fantastic and the beaches are breathtaking. There are many activities offered, which provides variety and ensures that there is never a dull moment. This helps me to relax and switch off from work.

Overall, I cannot stress enough how valuable this experience has been for me as a young entrepreneur. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus program and look forward to learning and growing even more in the coming months. I am sure that this will help me to successfully start and run my business.

Entrepreneurship4All

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Liebe Unternehmer,

wir laden Sie ein, Entrepreneurship4All zu entdecken – die neue E-Learning-Plattform der Europäischen Kommission! Entrepreneruship4all ist kostenlos und umfasst Kurse zu vier Kompetenzbereichen: Unternehmertum, Digitales, Finanzen und Nachhaltigkeit.

Die Plattform unterteilt sich in drei Lernstufen: Anfänger, Mittelstufe und Fortgeschrittene. Für jede Stufe gibt es ab dem 24. April Zoom-Sitzungen, für die Sie sich kostenlos anmelden können. Treten Sie der Plattform jetzt bei, um Ihre Unternehmerkompetenzen zu stärken!

 

Dear Entrepreneurs,

we invite you to discover Entrepreneurship4All – the European Commission’s new e-learning platform! Entrepreneruship4all is free of charge and includes courses on four competence areas: Entrepreneurship, Digital, Finance and Sustainability.

The platform is divided into three learning levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. For each level, there will be Zoom sessions from 24 April for which you can register for free. Join the platform now to strengthen your entrepreneurial skills!