1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Zigulina is a village of 400 inhabitants in the south of Estonia. 2 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:17,000 There are 240 students at the local school. 3 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:21,000 Kudijärvi is a fishing village in the northern Spanish Asturias region. 4 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:25,000 2,000 inhabitants, 220 students at the school. 5 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:30,000 These two small towns are situated in economically disadvantaged regions. 6 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:34,000 But the curriculum at both schools includes a remarkable project. 7 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:41,000 Lessons during which pupils aged between 15 and 17 learn to create and manage a business. 8 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:47,000 All these pupils took part in the project between 2003 and 2005. 9 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:52,000 In 2006, we asked them to relive their mini-company experience. 10 00:00:55,000 --> 00:01:19,000 Management, administration, marketing, international trade, finance and public relations. 11 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:24,000 These are the departments created by the pupils at Kudijärvi with their teacher Olivia 12 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:31,000 in order to manage their business in a real way. 13 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:41,000 They defined its objectives to sell souvenirs, jewelry and local food products at the markets in the region. 14 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:44,000 But the business also took on an international dimension. 15 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:48,000 Importing from and exporting to a school in Mexico. 16 00:01:48,000 --> 00:02:04,000 In most mini-companies, business is for real and is a far cry from the usual school routine. 17 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:09,000 The pupils chose the name for their business, Terramar. 18 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:14,000 The management and marketing departments take on the task of defining the legal structure. 19 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:17,000 It will be a cooperative. 20 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:20,000 Then comes the logo design. 21 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:23,000 Finally the money, the war chest. 22 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:26,000 It's agreed that the capital will be 200 euro. 23 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:30,000 Each of the pupils involved putting in 10 euro from their own pocket. 24 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:36,000 The administration department takes on the task of compiling the documents to constitute the company. 25 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:39,000 Teamwork is essential. 26 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:51,000 If one had a problem, the other would try to solve it. 27 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:58,000 As we all put in the same amount of money, we all had the same responsibilities and cooperated. 28 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:03,000 Both pupils and teachers receive a handbook giving guidelines which they use during the year. 29 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:06,000 Two hours every day. 30 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:11,000 The regional government provides the finances and sets up this initiative via Valnalon. 31 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:15,000 Asturias has a real need for new entrepreneurs. 32 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:20,000 After a long period of economic recession caused by the closure of many mines. 33 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:29,000 We want to change the mentality of the population. 34 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:35,000 We are a very industrial and coal mining region. 35 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:40,000 We need a change to enter the 21st century with a new mentality. 36 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:45,000 This is what we are looking for from the beginning with all these projects. 37 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:52,000 Without self-confidence there can be no spirit of enterprise. 38 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:55,000 This is why the pupils don't only work in the classroom. 39 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,000 They also have to cope in the real world. 40 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:02,000 Meeting suppliers like this small local business making fish products. 41 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:08,000 Maria, the marketing director, has to negotiate with the managing director to get the best price. 42 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:13,000 The marketing department was very entertaining. 43 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:17,000 We had to make a catalogue of all the products, the labels. 44 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:22,000 But it was also very difficult to work with the computer. 45 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:25,000 We often don't use it in the institute. 46 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:35,000 Good computer skills are necessary to prepare the sales brochure featuring souvenirs and jewellery manufactured in the region. 47 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:43,000 The young entrepreneurs quickly become aware that the 200 euro capital will not be sufficient to make a success of their company. 48 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:45,000 So they go to the bank. 49 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:48,000 The business plan looks good to the banker. 50 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:53,000 She has confidence in them and gives them an interest-free loan of 300 euro. 51 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:02,000 It is an important stage because we need this money to trade with Mexico. 52 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:07,000 We can't trade without this money. 53 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:12,000 We need it first to negotiate. 54 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:20,000 The fresh capital allowed them to produce a good brochure which is essential if the mini-company is to sell well in Mexico. 55 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:26,000 The money meant that they could buy the Mexican craft products in return. 56 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:32,000 Then transportation had to be found and the necessary shipping and order documents compiled. 57 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:38,000 The most difficult thing is that they assume responsibilities. 58 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:42,000 If the project goes well, it is because of their work. 59 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:47,000 And if they make mistakes, it will affect the results. 60 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:50,000 So they have to take responsibility for their task. 61 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:53,000 This is the most important thing. 62 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:06,000 We wanted to know if you could give us the sale permit for the market. 63 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:09,000 There is no problem with that, but you will have to make a request. 64 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:20,000 It is a very good experience. You learn a lot. 65 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:29,000 It has been unforgettable because you trade products, relationships with people from other countries. 66 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:32,000 You get to know how the company works. 67 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:36,000 You see the different cultures that other people have. 68 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,000 It has been very good. 69 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:42,000 For us, this project is especially interesting for two reasons. 70 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:49,000 On the one hand, because it is the first opportunity that our students have to face the real world of the company. 71 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:52,000 To know how a company works. 72 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:59,000 On the other hand, it is important for them to be able to create their own business. 73 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:14,000 In Estonia, pupils at the village school in Styrgölina set up their mini-company in 2003. 74 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:21,000 There were four of them together with their economics teacher and an external consultant. 75 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:29,000 Passionate about new technologies, they know that working at the computer for long periods can be stressful. 76 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:35,000 So, for the comfort of users, they want to market a very special anti-stress computer mouse. 77 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:40,000 The name of the company is RAT. 78 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:57,000 RAT is a limited company. 79 00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:04,000 Once the logo has been designed, they came up with the best way of cladding the mouse to make it both attractive and relaxing. 80 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:12,000 Prototypes are made and the company's capital requirement is calculated according to the number of mice produced. 81 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:18,000 30 mice at 60 crowns a piece makes 1800 crowns or 114 euro. 82 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,000 It's just a start. 83 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:28,000 Marek, the economics teacher, guides the students during the work meetings for two hours every day after official classes are over. 84 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:47,000 Mark, the marketing director, analyses the production cost of a mouse. 85 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:51,000 119 crowns, a little over 7 euros. 86 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:58,000 Production begins. 87 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:03,000 For this, the group meets not far from the school, in the village's community centre. 88 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:07,000 Marek, the production manager, supervises the production. 89 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:09,000 Tasks are distributed. 90 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:14,000 The materials chosen and some members cut them out and sew them, while others stick them on. 91 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:17,000 The ears, mustaches and the eyes have to be attached. 92 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:20,000 The mouse must be as attractive as possible. 93 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:23,000 They have to be sold and a profit made. 94 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:25,000 Pila holds the purse strings. 95 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:42,000 All the partners are involved with quality control. 96 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:44,000 Everyone's quite happy. 97 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:48,000 The mouse looks good and it's nice to handle. 98 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:54,000 The creation of the website will publicize the product beyond the country's borders. 99 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:58,000 140 mice will be sold in Estonia at markets and trade fairs, 100 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:02,000 The creation of the website will publicize the product beyond the country's borders. 101 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:09,000 140 mice will be sold in Estonia at markets and trade fairs and abroad at international competitions. 102 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,000 It's a success. 103 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:38,000 The young entrepreneurs won several prizes at international competitions in Estonia, Norway, Malta and France. 104 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:44,000 Norway has already hosted the annual Junior Achievement Young Enterprise competition, 105 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:50,000 during which European mini-companies involved in the program present their projects. 106 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,000 The government has been a long supporter of this initiative. 107 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:58,000 My government is actually very proud of what the previous government did, 108 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:01,000 when it comes to young entrepreneurship. 109 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:08,000 And we are absolutely ready to follow up, in terms of money, but also in terms of encouragement, 110 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:12,000 because I think part of this is, yes, money. 111 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:19,000 We have discovered that mini-companies is one of the most efficient tools in actually producing new entrepreneurs. 112 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:26,000 Our studies show that about 20% of the young people who have been to mini-companies, 113 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:29,000 they are actually young entrepreneurs. 114 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:31,000 And this is a very good thing. 115 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:33,000 It's a very good thing. 116 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:35,000 It's a good thing. 117 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:37,000 It's a good thing. 118 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:42,000 I think that about 20% of the young people who have been to mini-companies, 119 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:45,000 they later on actually start their own business. 120 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,000 And this is exactly what we need in Europe. 121 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,000 We need more entrepreneurs. 122 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:54,000 And therefore, this is one of the concepts we are trying to really get across in Europe. 123 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:03,000 DINUS, a German machine tool manufacturer, has found itself a second vocation. 124 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:07,000 Since 2002, its managing director has been playing the role of coach 125 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:11,000 and visits schools in the region to support and advise the mini-companies. 126 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:38,000 At the end of the year, the mini-companies tot up the figures. 127 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:42,000 Business has been good in both Cudiero and Ciegolina, 128 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:45,000 because the two companies have made a profit. 129 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:48,000 RAT has sold 149 mice. 130 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:53,000 Their costs were 833 Euro and their turnover 1429 Euro. 131 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:56,000 That's a profit of 519 Euro. 132 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:58,000 A pretty good profit. 133 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:03,000 Terra Mar turned over 685 Euro and made a profit of 185 Euro. 134 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:06,000 A pretty promising start to a business career. 135 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:24,000 Terra Mar turned over 685 Euro and made a profit of 185 Euro. 136 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:40,000 From mini-company to a real business career was a simple step for Olivier Stritzel. 137 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:44,000 This young German entrepreneur, together with two other people, 138 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:48,000 is running a business hiring out buses for tourists and businessmen. 139 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:54,000 And this is not entirely surprising, because at the end of his secondary studies, 140 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:57,000 his mini-company was doing the same thing. 141 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:07,000 And when he left school at the age of 18, 142 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:10,000 he entered the very competitive tourism sector. 143 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:37,000 I think such competence is important to everybody, 144 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:40,000 not only in basic and secondary education, 145 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:45,000 but also in higher education and in the systems of lifelong learning. 146 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:50,000 So that's why I strongly recommend to our public or private authorities 147 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:55,000 to use entrepreneurship as part of curricula in our schools. 148 00:14:56,000 --> 00:15:00,000 Mini-companies are very much in line with the Lisbon strategy, 149 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:05,000 aimed at creating prosperity and social well-being in Europe through innovative projects. 150 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:10,000 More than 200,000 young entrepreneurs are taking part in the project in 2006. 151 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:13,000 There should be more of them in the years to come. 152 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:16,000 And by developing an entrepreneurial spirit at school, 153 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:23,000 young people can make a conscious step towards a future professional career with less risk of failure.