Syllabus for entrepreneurial learning

The 2017 call for proposals envisaged actions aimed at providing learners with entrepreneurship and self-employment skills, with particular reference to the knowledge of the opportunities and methods of 'doing business', with attention to all its forms (classic, social, cooperative and their forms). The projects in the more developed regions were funded with resources from the Complementary operational programme (COP) For schools, competences and environments for learning 2014-20.

In March 2018 the education ministry developed a syllabus based on the EntreComp Framework and actively promoted it through entrepreneurship education pathways.

In 2019, several projects were launched that used EUR 30 444 263.50 (out of the EUR 50 million allocated by the education ministry in 2018). Most of them were from the south of Italy (the part of Italy where business accelerators / incubators are less widespread). 89% of projects envisioned the involvement of external stakeholders and institutions.

The project applications were as follows:

1. 14.6% most developed regions;
2. 17.4% transition regions;
3. 40.4% least developed regions.

The education ministry, as the managing authority of the National operational programme (OP) For schools, competences and environments for learning 2014-20, approved the schools' projects for the improvement of learners' key competences with particular attention to projects aimed at the development of an entrepreneurship culture.

In 2021, the National operational programme for the enhancement of entrepreneurship education (AOODGEFID/0002775/2017) received applications from 23.6% of schools. Also, during the reporting period (March 2021-February 2022) the memorandum Actions to support educational institutions in the implementation of distance learning activities following the health emergency from COVID -19 between the education ministry and Junior Achievement-Young Enterprise Italy (ETS)was renewed.

On 21 April 2022, a survey regarding opinions on innovation and entrepreneurship skills was published including the input form a large number of school teachers.

In 2023 (Protocol Circular No 5238 of 16 February 2023), the education ministry in collaboration with Junior Achievement-Young Enterprise Italy (ETS) organised for the first-time National entrepreneurship championships. This event was included in the annual programme for the enhancement of excellence and was 'reserved' for learners of the last three years of secondary education (VET schools included). The aim was to promote, encourage and support individual 'talent' and 'capacity' in entrepreneurial skills. Eligible for participation in the championships were those learners who had attended a training programme for the development of entrepreneurial skills, according to the pathways to transversal competence and guidance pathways (PCTO) during the school year 2022/23.

In the online conference of 28 September 2023, organised by Cedefop on the topic 'Embedding entrepreneurship competence in VET', European stakeholders met to discuss together what are the factors that make it possible integrating entrepreneurial competence into VET in Europe, and to share best practices to broaden the learning ecosystem of this competence. The results of the Italian report 'Entrepreneurship competence in vocational education and training Case study: Italy 'on entrepreneurship education in technical and professional training by Cedefop contributed to this discussion.

In 2024, (Protocol no. 6208 of 12 February 2024) the education ministry organised in collaboration with Junior Achievement - Young Enterprise Italy (ETS), for the school year 2023/2024, the second edition of the National Entrepreneurship Championships, a competition included in the annual program for the enhancement of excellence. The National Entrepreneurship Championships are 'reserved' for learners of the last three years of secondary education (VET schools included) in order to promote and support the teaching and training potential linked to entrepreneurial skills. Eligible for participation in the championships were those learners who had attended a training programme for the development of entrepreneurial skills, according to the Guidelines - Paths for Transversal Skills and Orientation (DM 774/2019) (PCTO) during the school year 2023/24.

The new guidelines for the teaching of civic education, adopted with Ministerial Decree n. 183 of 7 September 2024, set out skills development goals and learning objectives for both the first and second education cycles. The Italian education system is divided into two cycles: the first cycle includes primary school (5 years) and lower secondary school (3 years), while the second cycle includes upper secondary school (5 years) and vocational education and training programs (3 or 4 years). They also emphasise raising awareness of responsible citizenship starting from nursery schools. These guidelines fully replace those adopted with Ministerial Decree n. 35 of 22 June 2020.

Three conceptual cores were cited in article 3 of Law August 2019 n. 92, for the teaching of civic education, encompassing the study of the Italian Constitution and European Union institutions, environmental education and economic growth, digital literacy and responsible technology use. The conceptual cores were the constitutional principles, the digital citizenship and the sustainable development, which highlights the importance of educating young people on development and growth, valuing work and private economic initiative as a fundamental part of citizenship education. The conceptual core for sustainable development, also promotes a business culture that helps students strengthen their attitudes and knowledge related to the world of work and entrepreneurship.