Policy Framework

The Austrian Youth Strategy (see chapter 1.3), supported by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy, promotes entrepreneurship among young people (Jugendziel: Entrepreneurship), by integrating it into school curricula, training teachers and providing resources. The aim is to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset for sustainable growth. Various national and regional programmes support this initiative (e.g. Youth Entrepreneurship Week - see below chapter non-formal and informal learning), involving government institutions and social partners (in German). As a cross-curricular objective, elements of entrepreneurship are already integrated into all school subjects.

In addition, Austria’s National Action Plan on Entrepreneurship Education (2020-2025) prioritises entrepreneurship education for children and young adults. Led by the Ministries of Education and Economy, the plan involves 65 stakeholders (social partners, universities, initiatives and foundations) and outlines a roadmap for children and young adults (Landkarte der Aktionen). It includes programmes from primary school to doctoral level, research on youth engagement and aims to benefit aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages (see section Formal learning below).

Formal learning

Through the 'National Action Plan for Entrepreneurship Education', the Austrian government is actively promoting entrepreneurship among children and young adults at all levels of education, with a particular focus on vocational education and training. This initiative involves integrating elements of entrepreneurship education into all subjects as a cross-curricular objective. In addition, some schools offer specialised subjects such as business administration, economics and project management to further develop entrepreneurial skills. Commercial secondary schools, especially commercial academies, are leading the way in implementing entrepreneurship education, which is deeply embedded in the entrepreneurship, business and management curriculum. In addition, more than a third of business schools offer dedicated entrepreneurship and management training. Graduates from different types of schools can also take a four-semester post-secondary specialisation in entrepreneurship and management at business school colleges.

Entrepreneurship Education means developing students' own ideas and giving them the skills to implement them. It encompasses all educational activities aimed at fostering entrepreneurial attitudes and skills, i.e. the development of certain values, attitudes and personal qualifications that make it possible to set up a business, but are also essential for dependent work. In a narrower sense, entrepreneurship education refers to the development of specific knowledge, skills and abilities that are necessary for successful business creation and management, as well as for an independent, self-reliant lifestyle.

The Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, in close cooperation with other ministries and institutions, plays a crucial and multifaceted role in promoting the Entrepreneurship Education Initiative throughout Austria.

The TRIO Model (Das TRIO Modell)

The Austrian TRIO model of Entrepreneurship Education consists of three levels:

• Level I ('Core Entrepreneurship') focuses on learning essential skills for entrepreneurship, professional independence and personal life management. It includes the development and implementation of business models for entrepreneurial, professional and personal challenges.
• Level II ('Entrepreneurial Culture') focuses on promoting a culture of entrepreneurship, openness to innovation, empathy and sustainability, as well as fostering a culture of relationships and communication.
• Level III ('Entrepreneurial Civic Education') focuses on strengthening a culture of civic engagement, autonomy and responsibility for societal challenges.

In addition, there are various programmes and initiatives in Austria to promote entrepreneurial skills in schools:

IFTE Austria (IFTE Österreich)

IFTE (Initiative for Teaching Entrepreneurship) in Austria is an initiative to promote and support entrepreneurship education. It focuses on developing innovative teaching materials and methods to improve economic understanding and supports teacher training through various events, workshops, seminars and summer schools. IFTE is responsible for the Youth Start Entrepreneurial Challenges programme, which provides technical and vocational education and training (TVET) students with entrepreneurial challenge-based learning. Entrepreneurship education is integrated into the Austrian curriculum from primary to secondary level, and IFTE's programmes aim to provide a flexible approach to entrepreneurship learning to suit the diverse educational landscape in Austria.

The Youth Start Entrepreneurial Challenges Programme

The learning programme, based on the TRIO model, offers challenges to students of all ages and subjects (from primary to upper secondary, aged 7-19). It consists of different modules designed to provide holistic learning experiences. The programme is the result of cooperation between the Ministries of Education of Austria, Luxembourg, Portugal and Slovenia, together with PEEP, the Danish Entrepreneurship Foundation, KPH Vienna/Krems, eesi and ifte.at.

Junior Enterprise Austria (JA Austria)

Junior Enterprise Austria allows students aged 15 to 19 to establish their real company for one school year. They create and market their products or services independently, learning valuable professional skills and economic knowledge. Teachers guide them, and business experts provide advice for practicality. The project is often part of school electives and funded by organizations like the Austrian Economic Chambers, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry for Climate Action and Innovation. Successful teams receive share certificates of up to €800 to build their start-up capital.

Entrepreneurship Schools (Zertifizierung zur Entrepreneurship Schule)

Since 2011, the Entrepreneurship School Certification (ONR 42001) validates the integration of entrepreneurship activities in schools, in line with the priorities of the EU and the Austrian Ministry of Education. Sustainable entrepreneurship education requires full integration into school development and a collaborative approach by all stakeholders. It covers school activities (A), teacher competencies (B), organisational framework (O) and optional criteria (K) chosen by the school.

Non-formal and informal learning

Apart from formal curricula, education for sustainable and social entrepreneurship is integrated into children's and youth work. In this context, various programmes at national and regional level promote young people's entrepreneurial skills. For more information, see also section 3.9 on 'Start-up financing for young entrepreneurs'.

Youth Entrepreneurship Week (Youth Entrepreneurship Woche)

Youth Entrepreneurship Week in Austria is a joint project supported by the Ministry of Labour and Economy, the Ministry of Education, Science and Research and the Economic Chambers, which aims to promote entrepreneurial skills among young people aged 14-19. Since its launch in autumn 2020, more than 150 events with more than 4 500 participants have taken place nationwide. Organised by AustrianStartups and the Initiative for Teaching Entrepreneurship (IFTE), the programme offers workshops to stimulate interest in start-ups and innovation. In 2023/24, 105 regular events and two advanced sessions are planned across Austria (Wirtschaftsstandort Österreich).

Global Entrepreneurship Week

Austria takes part in the Global Entrepreneurship Week, a worldwide initiative celebrated in 170 countries to promote entrepreneurship. The annual Entrepreneurship Summit, jointly organised by the Initiative for Teaching Entrepreneurship (IFTE) and eesi impulse centre (eesi-Impulszentrum), serves as the grand finale and highlight of the initiative in Austria. Throughout the week, a variety of events, including panel discussions, company visits and the Summit itself, take place across the country to promote the entrepreneurial spirit.

Educators support in entrepreneurship education

EESI Impulse Centre (eesi-impulszentrum) and Competence Compass (Kompetenz-Kompass)

In order to strengthen the entrepreneurial mindset, the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research has established the EESI Impulse Centre. This unit works closely with EESI multipliers in the federal states to improve specialised entrepreneurship education and promote positive perspectives on entrepreneurial activities among students and teachers. For the implementation of Entrepreneurship Education in the classroom, EESI provides extensive materials for teachers (Unterricht Support). In addition, a Competence Compass (a profile for entrepreneurship teachers) has been developed, which is available to schools and teachers and can be used for self-testing and as a control element.

Moreover, the Youth Start Entrepreneurial Challenges Programme, based on the TRIO model, provides materials and challenges for all grades and subjects.