Aragon Entrepreneurship Week
About this good practice
Aragon Entrepreneurship Week is an initiative that brings together all the support resources available to entrepreneurs in the region, thus enabling them to learn about all the possibilities for running their initiatives.
The 1st edition was held in Zaragoza in a classic format, with lectures and round tables. Then, a transformation process began, aiming to give the event a greater dimension and bring the culture of entrepreneurship to all parts of the region. Nowadays, it is a week full of entrepreneurship events throughout the whole region, designed by all the entities in the region that support entrepreneurship in one way or another.
Events are mainly practical, and show real success and failure cases. Presentations, workshops, storytelling and roundtables are held, covering a large part of the sectors of activity and promoting cooperation between different entities through the organisation of joint events.
The coordination and financing are responsibility of the “Aragón Emprende” Foundation, a meeting place for all the entities that support entrepreneurship in Aragón. A committee made up of a technician from each of the participating entities works throughout the year on the design of the events of the Week.
The events are followed by young potential entrepreneurs who seek to acquire knowledge in the field and learn about other experiences, but also by consolidated entrepreneurs and SMEs, together with workers who provide support services to entrepreneurs in Aragon.
Resources needed
A team composed by 2 people as staff of the “Aragón Emprende” Foundation lead the organization of the Week. 1 representative of each participating entity is in charge of the design and organization of one event.
Regarding the funds, around 70.000 € are needed each edition.
Evidence of success
The Week has been growing and consolidating year by year. Sixteen editions have been organised, the last one in October 2022, with 31 activities in 15 Aragonese municipalities (both big cities and rural areas), 50 participating entities and 3.300 attendees.
Since its inception, around 250 events have been held, with more than 20.000 attendees and involving more than 900 speakers.
Media presence (digital, radio, TV, social media) is also ensured.
The 17º edition will take place in October 2023.
Potential for learning or transfer
This initiative can be replicated in other regions. In fact, within Aragon, it has been spreading throughout the region so that events are currently organized in different locations.
It has proven to be a way of bringing entrepreneurship and the support offered by different institutions closer to society. Interest in the event is growing, with the number of participants increasing each year.
In order to replicate it in another region, the first step would be to bring together all the existing entrepreneurship support institutions, so that the event serves as a way of promoting the support that entrepreneurs have at their disposal.
The design of the programme can be adapted to the needs detected in each region, as well as its duration and contents.
Further information
Good practice owner
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