BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 1 Presentation of the conducted Needs Analysis in partner countries for the Bridge Model Frank Hiddink, May 22nd 2014

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 2 Final report for starting entrepreneurs & disadvantaged groups The research being executed by each of the partners is necessary in order to understand the existing entrepreneurial support systems and to identify the needs in this sector. It is part of the Work Package 2. WP2’s aim is to fully understand the characteristics and variety of the micro- entrepreneur ecosystem across the EU as the foundation for the Transfer of Innovation and what and how it needs to be adapted to meet the needs of each of the participating countries.

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 3 The proces of the TNA Each partner took the following steps: -Desk research -Entrepreneurial situation -Entrepreneurial support systems -Entrepreneurial support in VET -20 online questionnaires -5 in-depth interviews

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 4 Entrepreneurial Situation All parnter countries have policies in place to support entrepreneurship but this differs greatly between the countries where the situation is best in the UK/NL and worst in Spain/Greece. Bulgaria has a middle position. Entrepreneurial support in VET exists in the UK, the NL and Bulgaria but is nearly non-existent in Spain and Greece.

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 5 Conclusions from the online interviews

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 6 Entrepreneurial motivation is diverse (in all countries)

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 7 Available support systems The majority of the respondents do not think that there are sufficient supporting mechanisms in their country to support the entrepreneurs, young people / students, or disadvantaged people (>60%). Great differences between the countries in the questionnaire. In the NL/UK they were reasonably positive about the kind of support systems their countries have and the opportunities this offers to start-ups, young people and disadvantaged people.

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 8 About the existing systems The existing support systems for the entrepreneurs are regarded as too bureaucratic (62%), old fashioned (34%) and difficult to access (35%). If the respondents could change the current support mechanisms in their country they would change 1) simplify the procedures and decrease the bureaucracy for receiving support 2) make the supporting mechanisms such as funding more and easier accessible 3) Involve real entrepreneurs, which can share knowledge, inspire and support the new start-ups 4) Learn rather by doing than through paper work 5) Start early in the education to make students aware of entrepreneurship 6) Relief in taxes especially in the first years for the start up

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 9 Opportunities in the partner countries now 67% of the people indicated that not everybody that wants to become an entrepreneur can do this (NL is more positive) Even though there are support systems, the financial situation of starting entrepreneurs is most often seen as a barrier that is too high Answers are the same for start-ups, disadvantaged groups and young people

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 10 Insufficient support mechanisms Same for regular start-ups and young people

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 11 Need for more knowlegde about disadvantaged people

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 12 Focus for disadvantaged groups A majority feels it is not necessary that disadvantaged people will work on different topics than the already existing Bridge Model. Some things to take into account: Might need more time in guidance Might benefit from a course in self confidence buidling Perhaps need more encouragement if they have been unemployed for a long time The respondents do not feel there needs to be a specific programme for this category or that the steps should be changed in the Bridge Model. This can be left up to the coach or trainer to see if somebody needs special attention or focus.

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 13 Opportunity for the BM Pilot test the Bridge Model in the partner countries: When we also involve people from a disadvantaged background (be it disabled, long term unemployed, learning disability etc.) then we can also make good practices of these efforts. This way we can show how entrepreneurship can also be a good option when you come from a disadvantaged background.

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 14 Impressions of the BM The Bridge Model differs in the sense that it offers a more practical approach, clearer and is more detailed The BM differs from the current methods used in partner countries, but seems similar to the method in the NL Over 87% have a positive feeling about the model and find it interesting 65% indicated that you will need a coach to help you with this model

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 15 Focus areas of the BM There were no significant differences between the participating countries concerning this question except for Greece, where every interviewee indicated that administration was a very important topic. In the Netherlands, nobody indicated that administration was a topic that you should coach entrepreneurs in.

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 16 Adaptations in countries Cooperation with existing support mechanisms and the adaptation of the legislation essential importance. This cannot be reached easily during the lifespan of this project. It is expected that if the pilot tests are successful, that each partner has the ability in its own country to influence policy makers to change and improve existing legislation.

BRIDGING THE GAP UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-646 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 17 Conclusions All countries have some sort of entrepreneurial support system in place where we can add to The opinion about these differs greatly: The majority is bureaucratic and access to finance is difficult Bulgaria and the Netherlands have a strong supporting system for the VET institutions The Bridge Model is an attractive approach for all partner countries