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1. Innovation in formal education

2. Fostering innovation through non-formal and informal learning and youth work

Innovation in formal education

Sweden’s current national strategy for the development of entrepreneurship competence and of entrepreneurial mindset among young people, 'Strategy for Entrepreneurship in Education and Training' (Strategi för entreprenörskap inom utbildningsområdet), was adopted in 2009. In short, the strategy states that entrepreneurship in school means that all students should develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that equip them for a changing social and working life.

Common to all forms of schooling is that students must develop abilities such as creativity, problem solving and collaboration, as well as coming up with new ideas and taking them into action. In upper secondary school and adult education, the school must also promote innovative thinking and entrepreneurship. The Swedish National agency for education (Skolverket) provides support and information to school leaders about how to lead and organise entrepreneurship education within the various school forms.

The Curriculum for Upper Secondary school from 2011 states that  

'The school should contribute to students developing knowledge and attitudes that promote entrepreneurship, enterprise and innovative thinking. As a result, the opportunities for students to start and run a business will increase. Entrepreneurial skills are valuable in working and societal life and for further studies.'

(p.6)

The incorporation of entrepreneurship competence in formal learning and in the curricula is presented in section 3.8, Development of entrepreneurship competences. There are also changes in the Curriculum, entered into force in 2018, that include the task of developing innovation skills through digital technology. See section 6.8 for more information.

The syllabus for upper secondary school in the subject of entrepreneurship states that the subject of entrepreneurship is interdisciplinary. It has its basis in psychology and business economics, but other areas of knowledge such as rhetoric and law are also included. Teaching in entrepreneurship should aim for developint students’ knowledge in methods for running projects, i.e. how to initiate, design and implement goal-oriented processes. It should also lead to students developing an understanding of the importance of entrepreneurship for societal development. Teaching should help students develop confidence in their personal resources and stimulate their creativity and desire to take on challenges and take responsibility for turning ideas into practical activities.

Fostering innovation through non-formal and informal learning and youth work

Sweden has no specific policy or measure to encourage young people to develop entrepreneurial skills through non-formal and informal learning, and youth work.