The initiative, recognized in 2024 as a Good Practice by the European URBACT Program, aims to consult local companies to identify concrete needs that will then be presented as challenges to students. This approach seeks to foster the development of innovative skills and add value to the community.
The new edition introduces novelties resulting from contributions from European partners, with greater involvement from families, social economy organizations, and companies. In the 1st Cycle of Primary Education, the Financial Literacy project “No Poupar é que que está o Ganho” (Saving is where the gain is) will be replicated, with monthly challenges to involve parents and guardians in family financial management.
For the 2nd Cycle, students from the 5th and 6th grades will create projects to address the needs of local IPSS (Private Institutions of Social Solidarity) and associations, promoting interconnection with the social fabric. Projects from the 1st and 2nd Cycles will be shared at the Junior Entrepreneurship Showcase.
Under the theme “Impact Entrepreneurship in School or Community,” 10 classes from the 8th and 9th grades will receive support from secondary and vocational students, who will act as mentors. These older students, with previous experience in the program, will guide the younger ones in creating projects for the municipal competition “Desafi@te”.
In Secondary and Vocational Education, in addition to proposals for business challenges in the “#Faz o teu Futuro” (#MakeYourFuture) competition, 11 classes from the 10th grade will participate in Financial Literacy training sessions, preparing them for the “AlbergariaInvest” competition.
The Municipality of Albergaria-a-Velha thanks all involved partners – school administrations, teachers, students, parents, companies, IPSS, associations, and other entities – for their contribution to building an entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem.
In the previous 12 editions, the program involved 8,068 students and 659 teachers, presenting 975 projects to the community.
