The international online program EMA – Entrepreneurial Mind in Action in the Digital Age fosters an entrepreneurial mindset in participants with the potential to become entrepreneurs in the near future. It is intended for participants with bachelor's degrees, students, young people interested in entrepreneurship, and young founders.
EMA is organised by the Ecosys4you project partnership to establish connections between the Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Ruhr, Germany, Varna in Bulgaria and Slovenia. They offer an excellent opportunity for international virtual mobility for the participants.
The project Ecosys4you - Engaging entrepreneurial ecosystems for the youth is carried out by a team of scientists (Institute for Work and Technology, Gelsenkirchen and DOBA Business School, Maribor), a regional development agency (RAPIV, Varna) and a start-up (AWARE 7, Gelsenkirchen) from three European countries (Germany, Bulgaria and Slovenia). Ecosys4you has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101100432.
The project focuses on developing a two-year cross-ecosystem program for young people with a passion for entrepreneurship. Young people interested in founding a company develop entrepreneurial expertise by learning from founders, start-ups, and real-world business development challenges. We establish and set up network-based exchange activities with the expertise of the three ecosystems, especially »Online Classes«, in combination with mentorship program and internships in start-ups.
EMA is a comprehensive online program consisting of three courses (modules), each lasting four weeks and consisting of four weekly units –modules will run consecutively. It aims to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills, from starting a business to developing sustainable innovative business models and pitching to investors:
Participants can choose to attend all three modules or select specific / individual ones according to their interests. Participants can also decide to attend the modules in a self-paced mode (no participation in teamwork) or in an active mode with all activities. After successful completion of each of the modules, participants will receive certificates (each module is evaluated by 6 ECTS for the active participation and with 3 ECTS for the self-paced mode of participation).
Problem-based approach, client-focused projects, and built-in support and mentoring from the lecturers will provide participants with new skills they can implement in their professional working environments. Online learning pedagogy will be available by utilising virtual classrooms and webinars, facilitating individual and teamwork and enabling ongoing feedback within the virtual campus. Virtual mobility envisions collaboration with peers and lecturers from the three entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The program will be conducted in English, and a minimum of B1 English proficiency level is required.
Application periods:
Eligibility: Young individuals interested in entrepreneurship, including young founders and students, are eligible to apply.
Submit your application electronically via this link. Deadlines for applications are:
Marina Letonja, coordinator in Slovenia: marina.letonja@doba.si
Maria Rabadjieva, coordinator in Germany: rabadjieva@iat.eu
Irina Kircheva, coordinator in Bulgaria: office@rapiv.org
Check out the Brochure for Fall 2025.
.png)