As a follow-up of the training course "Supporting youth creating green start-ups" (Spain, April 2015), the partner organisations of "Green Entrepreneurship" organised local workshops and events back in the countries. Find out here what were the objectives of the workshops and what happened in each country.

Obejctives:

• Share the tools and knowledge gained in the TC "Supporting youth creating green start-ups" with the local community of the partner organisations
• Inspire young people by showing them examples of successful green start-ups
• Provide space for young people with start-up ideas to network
• Find young people with green start-up ideas that could be potential participants of the TC "How to be a green entrepreneur" (Prague, October 2015)

Youth and Environment Europe - Czech Republic

Where and when: Kokoza community garden, Prague, Czech Republic, 29 June 2015

Who took part: 20 students, youth workers, volunteers, people interested in entrepreneurship

What: The event was held at Kokoza community garden. Since Kokoza is an example of a successful green business, we deemed the location as an attractive opportunity for the visitors. The event consisted of several parts. First, we started with a work in the garden, like cutting grass, watering plants etc. Afterwards, we held a world café with several young green entrepreneurs. Other than Kokoza, there were also three other startups who shared their stories: Birdsong Coffee, Vinylove Hodiny and Greenglasses. Their presentations were followed by Q&A sessions where the visitors of the events could ask and learn more about the green entrepreneurships. Later on, we did an upcycling workshop where the people interested could make a wallets out of old tetrapak and earrings out of old vinyls. During the event there were vegetarian snacks served.

Results: Participants learnt about the importance of nature-friendly business. They got inspired by the successful stories of the young entrepreneurs. They found out what are the first steps, obstacles, risks and gratification of starting a green start-up. They learnt about the advantages of innovative thinking.

Asociata Ecouri Verzi - Romania

Where and when: Lotus Restaurant, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 18 June 2015

Who took part: 14 students, youth workers, nature protection volunteers

What: The meeting was organised at Lotus Restaurant, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. There were 14 people present, with their age ranging from 14 years old to 45 years old, and it took about three hours. We started with a brief presentation of the "Green Entrepreneurship" project, and the training course we attended in Asturias. The following discussion, in which all the participants had an active involvement, was centered around what a green start-up is, what are the motivations for starting a green start-up and green start-up examples. The owner of the Lotus Restaurant, a green start-up itself, presented his business, pointing out the challenges, the opportunities and his vision for the future of his business. In the end, there was a short presentation of the opportunity for young people to attend the training course "How to be a green entrepreneur" which will take place in Prague, in October, as part of the "Green Entrepreneurship" project.

Results: Raining awareness regarding the need for sustainable development, and for greener businesses; knowledge about what a green start-up is; knowledge about green start-up examples in Europe and Romania and knowledge about the "Green Entrepreneurship" project activities.

Humusz - Hungary

Where and when: Humusz Alliance, Budapest, Hungary, 19 June 2015

Who took part: Twenty youngsters who have a green idea which is not fully developed yet

What: Our aim was to gather useful and practical information about starting a green (eco-conscious) entrepreneurship and to show good examples of on-going projects and entrepreneurs. We had a presentation about the legal tasks and opportunities and one about the financial parts. We asked the president of Humusz Alliance to share her knowledge about the green entrepreneurship: how to differentiate between greenwashing and being really green, what should the youngsters focus on, what should they consider as a leader of a company, etc. After the presentations we organised a round table discussion with prosperous on-going entrepreneurships and their leaders to show how different ideas could work in Hungary, what the flaws, opportunities and responsibilities are as a young entrepreneur.
We provided catering as well, vegetarian main course, some dips and fruits and fair trade coffee and tea.

Results: As organisers of the local workshop we learnt about advertisment and hosting, facilitating and organisatinal skills.

OPE - Portugal

Where and when: Students Organization of Oporto Science University, 3 June 2015

Who took part: Fifteen university students

What: Most of the participants were already green in some way because they were familiar with gardening (how to safe water or how to build indoor and outdoor city gardens). The purpose of the workshop was to promote the Green Entrepreneurship project, while at the same time promoting entrepreneurship among the participants. As a part of our workshop, we also included helping evaluation tools of an initiating business. During the 5 hours workshop, the participants had a presentation of Green Entrepreneurship project, of ecoclubs and YEE. In the second part, they filled the Lean Canvas sheet with some business ideas.

Results: We analised the participants' business ideas and synthesized it in Lean Canvas sheet. Also analysed if their idea need to be shaped or not.

Homo Ecos - Latvia

Where and when: "The Green Floor", Riga, Latvia, 19 August 2015

Who took part: Fifteen young people who either have plans to start a business or already own a start-up

What: The seminar was meant to be both an inspiring and educational session for young entrepreneurs, and also a networking opportunity for students, recent graduates and young entrepreneurs. After quick introductions, the floor was given to Anna Aizsilniece, owner and founder of recycled.lv - a local fashion brand based on repurposing old clothes. Some participants who had already taken first steps as an entrepreneur also shared their experiences. Soon enough, a lively debate about consumerism, making profit, use of resources, advertisement, education and greenwashing started. After the coffee break, participants divided into groups to write a business plan for a fictional green start-up, by asking and answering lots of simple questions starting with „what...?", „why...?", „who...?, etc. Each group presented their idea through a 30-second „elevator pitch" to a prospective business contact. Ideas included an online radio station where anybody can share their views and opinions, a consulting firm that helps companies be more sustainable, and a producer of eco-lamps. Finally, The Green Toolbox (www.greentoolbox.org) was introduced as a tool to help analyse and „greenify" any business. After the official part of the seminar was over, the participants moved to a near-by restaurant to get to know each other even better and to celebrate the conclusion a successful seminar.

Results: Most of the participants did not have any immediate plans to start a business before coming to the training - they went away with a dose of inspiration and encouragement. For others, the combination of the words "green" and "business" offered a new perspective.