Introductory Module

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Introduction to the Project

Introductory Module Introduction to the Project
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The Third Way Project

This part of the Introduction will provide you with a short overview on what exactly the T3W project is, who its partners are, and how it is funded. You will also learn about the focus group questions of the project, as well as about essential skills needed for entrepreneurs. We also summed up recurring topics which you encounter in more than one module, and gave you additional tips on how to best get started with the courses!

20 minutes

This introductory session will take you approximately 20 minutes to go through, that is if you just follow the Introduction to the MOOC content including watching the interview produced for the webinar.

50 minutes

With additional reading this Introduction to the MOOC session should take you in total about 50 minutes to complete.

90 minutes

With additional reading and a review of the academic articles, journals or advanced concepts this Introduction to the MOOC session should take you closer to 90 minutes to complete.

What Is the T3W Project?

The project has the joint aims of creating innovative and accessible learning programmes that support understanding and awareness of social enterprise and narrowing the divide in understanding between the traditional business curriculum and this growing sector with its strong focus on social objectives.

Who Are the Partners?

The project is supported by a team of 10 partner organisations and institutions:
  • Technical University of Dresden/ Germany.
  • Mendelova University,  Brno/ Czech Rep.
  • Stichting Avans/ Netherlands.
  • University College Leuven & Limberg/ Belgium.
  • Organisational Learning Centre, Bolton/ United Kingdom.
  • Technology University of Cyprus, Nicosia/ Cyprus.
  • Instituto de Empreendedorismo Social (IES), Lisbon/ Portugal.
  • AC Amics de la Biblioteca de la Fonteta, Silla/ Spain.
  • Businet/ Belgium.
  • Shliakhietnyja Izdelija/ Belarus.

How Can We Offer this Product Free of Charge?

This project, its activities and its outputs, such as the MOOC are funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. To be precise, funding has been received as an Erasmus + Key Action 2 Vocational Education and Training (VET) Innovation Partnership. A condition of that funding is that the products of the project are accessible and available for use.

We hope that we have created a curriculum and access to that curriculum, based on the demands and requirements of social enterprises. We hope that by sharing ideas with social entrepreneurs we have produced a useful contribution that supports social enterprises across Europe.

The Focus Group Questions

  1. Thinking of your organisation, what do you consider to be the most obvious skill shortages and training needs of yourself and colleagues?
  2. What support is needed for start-up social enterprises and to support social entrepreneurs? (questions 1 and 2 were considered together)
  3. What are the subject areas and topics that are most important for any future training/ education programme aimed at social enterprises/ entrepreneurs?
  4. Can educational institutions ‘teach’ enterprise and entrepreneurship? Will traditional models of education delivery work?
  5. Should we consider not just WHAT is learned, but HOW, WHEN, WHERE and WHY it is learned?
question, question mark, punctuation-1243504.jpg

Cross-Cutting Skills

Cross-cutting skills are essential skills for students to lead a productive future life in a range of professions or for setting up their own business. Some of the cross-cutting skills that are most valuable include:
  • Creativity
  • Communication
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Use of ICT
  • Determination
  • Flexibility
  • Leadership skills
  • Negotiation skills

Some Topics Are Central to more than One Module

  • Vision and vision statements – Why, What and How?
  • Stakeholders – know who is important to you… and who is not!
  • Using a Business Model Canvas to understand your enterprise
  • The importance of Impact Assessment
  • PESTEL Analysis – the importance of understanding the external environment

So do you want to get started on the course?

  • Start anywhere!
  • There are eight modules in the whole course plus the starter module.
  • They have been selected by social entrepreneurs and those working in social enterprises.
  • Be sure to check out the additional reading and videos of each module.
  • We hope you find it interesting, useful and enjoyable. 
    Get on with it!