Rome, 27 May 2024
Today at the International Press Centre in Rome, JA Europe organised a press conference outlining a series of policy recommendations for the G7 countries for action in 2024 with a strong focus on youth. These actions are necessary and urgent to ensure the next generation is equipped to embrace the opportunities of entrepreneurship and employment.
Speaking at the press conference, JA Europe CEO Salvatore Nigro said: “The Italian Presidency of the G7 is a unique opportunity to show European leadership on global issues and focus on our most important asset, the next generation. In times of innovation and rapid disruption, JA Europe is calling on public and private sectors to come together to join our efforts and initiatives. Our network is present across Europe and can scale successful initiatives in the education systems and across the broader entrepreneurship ecosystems. Concrete decisions and actions are needed today.” According to the OECD’s Missing Entrepreneurs report 2023, there would be 34.1 million more entrepreneurs in the OECD, and 7.5 million in the EU if opportunities were available to all. These individuals represent untapped entrepreneurial potential and 75% of those missing entrepreneurs are women. The report emphasizes the effectiveness of youth entrepreneurship schemes, and that encouraging youth to engage in entrepreneurial activities is crucial for fostering economic growth and innovation.
To address this gap urgently, the seven points for G7 are elaborated in more detail below, and JA Europe is available for further information and starting a collaboration.
JA Europe’s 7 Points for G7: Youth at the forefront!
1. Invest in entrepreneurship education opportunities
- Ensure education systems offer hands-on entrepreneurial learning experiences, especially in disadvantaged areas.
- Collaborate nationally and regionally to align education with workforce needs.
- Recognize and scale up certification tools like the Entrepreneurial Skills Pass.
2. Accelerate deep tech and AI adoption
- Embed deep tech and AI education into all levels of schooling.
- Support initiatives like Code4Europe to empower youth in digital technologies.
- Integrate AI into existing programmes like JA entrepreneurship education. Concrete pilot initiatives already exist and can be scaled immediately. JA Europe’s AI programme is featured as one of the eight case studies by the World Economic Forum’s recent Shaping the Future of Learning report.
3. Foster innovation for the green economy
- Promote green innovation in education and entrepreneurship. Encourage circular economy initiatives among young entrepreneurs, especially girls.
- Scale successful projects like the EU’s GirlsGoCircular.
4. Facilitate Start Up creation from an early age
- Improve access to funding and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for young entrepreneurs.
- Support girls in entrepreneurship careers and invest in youth-led ventures, such as through JA Europe’s Precede Venture Network.
5. Transform key industrial sectors.
- Upskill retail and agri-food sectors through digital and green innovation.
- Support initiatives like the EU’s Skills4Retail and collaborate on AI solutions for agri-food with organizations like JA Europe.
6. Invest in teacher training
- Equip teachers with digital and green economy skills. JA network can facilitate train-the-trainers initiatives to bridge education and workforce needs.
7. Encourage entrepreneurship in cultural and creative sectors
- Promote ethical entrepreneurship in cultural industries. Scale existing training programs and digital toolkits with UNESCO’s collaboration.
- In close collaboration with UNESCO, scale existing concrete training programmes and digital toolkits that are empowering youth with entrepreneurship skills in the Cultural and Creative Industries (www.culturalbees.eu).
About JA Europe
JA Europe is the largest and leading organisation in Europe dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed. For over 100 years, JA Worldwide has delivered hands-on, experiential learning in entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial health. In the last school year, the JA Europe network in over 40 countries provided 6 million learning experiences for youth in online, in person and blended formats with the support of nearly 110,000 teachers and almost 90,000 business volunteers. In 2024, JA Worldwide was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, the third nomination in three years.
On 2-4 July, Gen-E 2024 European Entrepreneurship Festival is organised in Catania, Sicily.
Press and Media Contact at JA Europe:
Minna Melleri
Chief of Advocacy and Growth
JA Europe
