In the framework of the MEDA-ETE project a pilot training Israel was held in Jerusalem at the beginning of July. The training was a follow-up to the Training of trainers course that was given in February by Open for Business (Sweden) with support from Triodos Facet, represented by Dieter Kohn and Gerrit Ribbink, the project team leader.

The Open for Business methodology is a highly interactive, fun way of introducing young people to core entrepreneurial principles and developing an entrepreneurial mind-set. The methodology was introduced in Sweden some 8 years ago building upon a similar methodology developed in Canada. Its main promoter and master trainer, Ulla Gredemyr, is the living embodiment of the Open for Business approach, as she is very entrepreneurial, creative and enthusiastic.

The training in Jerusalem targeted two groups of young aspiring entrepreneurs, the first one consisting of 19 students and recent graduates, the second consisting of young unemployed, recently discharged from the military service. The 2-day training focused on the core principles of entrepreneurship, combined with some activities to generate business ideas and on marketing.

The idea is that some of these trainees will subsequently take part in other MATI activities aimed at helping them to set up their own business. Eventually MATI plans to integrate (elements of) the methodology into their own training modules. All trainees responded very positively to the Open for Business approach, despite initial concern that it would not fit in the Israeli context.

So far the Open for Business methodology has been transferred to Jordan, Israel and Turkey, and in all three countries it has been remarkably well received in quite different local contexts and different target groups. It seems that the core principles of entrepreneurship and the interactive Open for Business methodology, which is based on ‘learning-by-doing’, have a universal appeal and applicability.

After all, being an entrepreneur is not about learning business skills in theory, but about doing so in practice, which is the basic idea behind Open for Business.

Contribution: Gerrit Ribbink
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Uri Scharf (MATI) and Gerrit Ribbink (Triodos Facet)

Participants in the training