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1. Policy Framework

2. Formal learning

3. Non-formal and informal learning

4. Educators support in entrepreneurship education

Policy Framework

The European Union recognises 'initiative and entrepreneurial spirit' as key competencies for lifelong learning, essential for personal fulfilment, social inclusion, active citizenship, and employment. Promoting entrepreneurship education is a strategic objective, highlighted in documents like 'Rethinking Education' and the 'Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan'. Member States vary in their development and investment in these policies.

In Portugal, the first entrepreneurship education programme, the National Plan of Entrepreneurship Education (PNEE), began in 2006, targeting primary and secondary schools. Despite a 2012 recommendation to promote youth entrepreneurship, the 2016 Eurydice Network report found no explicit national strategy. The StartUp Portugal strategy, following the 2011 Strategic Programme for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (+e+i), focused on business development rather than education.

In 2016, a Citizenship Education Strategy was introduced, integrating entrepreneurship education into the school curriculum. The "EJA" programme (2016-2017) supported projects to set up companies or social economy entities. The "Empreende Jovem" project, in partnership with Porto City Council, promotes an entrepreneurial culture among young people. The "Trajetos" programme (2022) aims to provide education, training, employment, or entrepreneurship opportunities for young NEETs. The "Pacto Local para a Empregabilidade e Empreendedorismo Jovem" supports youth employability and entrepreneurship through municipal networking.

Implementation

Youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives occur at regional and local levels, with partnerships between universities, research institutions, and SMEs. Local strategies include school campaigns, competitions, workshops, and business counselling. Portugal has a network of governmental and non-governmental organisations collaborating in this field, such as the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE), Platform for Entrepreneurship Education in Portugal (PEEP), and Junior Achievement Portugal Foundation. Despite the lack of a national strategy, Portugal leads some European policy experiences, like the Youth Start – Entrepreneurial Challenges project.

Formal learning

In Portugal, entrepreneurship education is not directly included in the school curriculum but is part of the Citizenship Education curriculum, which is non-mandatory in primary education. Each school independently manages its implementation, potentially involving partnerships with other entities or families. In secondary school, entrepreneurship education is not part of the scientific-humanistic courses. In vocational education, it can be integrated into modules or training units.

Higher education incorporates entrepreneurship through transversal skills in the curriculum and extracurricular activities, with increased collaboration between institutions and businesses.

Partnerships with other entities – practical entrepreneurship experiences

Practical entrepreneurship experiences are not part of the school curriculum but can be offered through extracurricular activities and national programmes involving external partners. The Youth Start – Entrepreneurial Challenges project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and PEEP, introduces practical entrepreneurship experiences in compulsory schooling, aligned with the Europe Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan.

Non-formal and informal learning

Various initiatives promote entrepreneurship education through practical experiences, following the European Union's guidelines.

Choices Programme (Programa Escolhas)

“Choices Programme (Programa Escolhas)” is a nationwide programme whose mission is to promote the integration and social inclusion of children and young people from the most vulnerable socio-economic backgrounds. Currently supporting 118 projects throughout the country, including the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores. One of the priority areas of intervention is entrepreneurship and the empowerment of young people.

In the scope of its intervention for entrepreneurship, the “Choices programme” developed an electronic portal – Entrepreneurship, a choice with a future (Emprendedorismo – uma escolha de futuro) with an area for trainers and one for young people between the ages of 14 and 24, where manuals in the field of entrepreneurship are available.

Assessment tools of entrepreuneurial skills in non-formal education

ASTEE Project Developed by a European partnership, ASTEE aims to create common tools to identify and systematise learning outcomes in entrepreneurship education for primary, secondary, and higher education students. In Portugal, it is coordinated by PEEP and the Minister of Education.

Educators support in entrepreneurship education

Entrepreneurship education is generally not included in teacher training. Vocational courses provide guidelines and resources, but teachers can adapt materials. The Curriculum Guide in Entrepreneurship Education includes plans for teacher training sessions.

Training of other entities

Teaching materials

The Directorate-General of Education offers resources on its website, including manuals and videos. GTREE, an inter-governmental group, has developed guidelines for entrepreneurship education in primary and secondary schools.