From 20 to 29 July 2026, 35 young people from Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Spain came together in Szklarska Poręba, Poland, to participate in the Erasmus+ youth exchange "Entrepreneurship Arena: Play, Create, Succeed." The project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, aimed to develop entrepreneurial competences through non-formal education, international cooperation, and gamification.
Throughout eight intensive days, participants explored the world of entrepreneurship while strengthening their creativity, teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. The programme combined practical workshops, simulations, intercultural learning, and outdoor activities, creating an engaging environment where young people could transform ideas into innovative business concepts.
The learning journey covered a wide range of entrepreneurial topics. Participants discovered successful companies and entrepreneurs from their own countries, learned about customer segmentation, market analysis, competition, marketing strategies, storytelling, SWOT analysis, and the Business Model Canvas. Working in international teams, they designed innovative products and services addressing real-life challenges, including sustainability, digital solutions, and community needs.
One of the highlights of the exchange was the opportunity to present business ideas during a "Shark Tank"-style pitching session, where participants developed public speaking and persuasion skills while receiving constructive feedback. Later in the project, they took part in the Start-up Challenge, creating complete business concepts with a starting budget of only €100. Their projects demonstrated remarkable creativity, featuring solutions such as sustainable water refill applications, eco-friendly perfume brands, roommate-matching platforms, and sharing-economy applications.
An equally important part of the project was learning through gamification. Participants designed their own educational board games and quizzes that transformed entrepreneurial knowledge into interactive learning experiences. By testing each other's games, they proved that education can be both meaningful and enjoyable.
Beyond entrepreneurship, the exchange strongly focused on intercultural dialogue. Every evening, one national group hosted a cultural evening, presenting traditions, food, music, and customs from their country. These activities helped participants build friendships, increase cultural awareness, and develop mutual respect in an international environment.
The programme also included a study visit around the Karkonosze Mountains and Szklarska Poręba, where participants observed local businesses and reflected on entrepreneurship in practice while discovering one of Poland's most beautiful natural regions.
During the final days, participants reflected on their learning journey, created video summaries of their experiences, and received their Youthpass Certificates, recognising the competences they had developed throughout the mobility. The exchange concluded with an emotional farewell, celebrating not only the knowledge gained but also the international friendships and partnerships created during the project.
"Entrepreneurship Arena: Play, Create, Succeed" demonstrated that entrepreneurship is much more than starting a business. It is about creativity, problem-solving, resilience, teamwork, and the confidence to turn ideas into action. Thanks to the support of the Erasmus+ Programme, young people returned home equipped with practical entrepreneurial tools, valuable intercultural experiences, and the motivation to continue their personal and professional development while inspiring others in their local communities.
