Portuguese municipality’s participation in the Academia Empreende+, recognized by URBACT European Programme

The Academia Empreende+ project, run by the European Local Councillors network partner municipality of Albergaria-a-Velha, in Portugal’s Aveiro district, was recently recognized as a good practice by the URBACT European Programme. This distinction focuses on work that began in 2014 with the aim of promoting an entrepreneurial culture and encouraging young people’s active participation.

The inclusion of the Entrepreneurship Programme in schools was one of the pioneering initiatives of the Albergaria Empreende+ 2020 strategic plan and evolved in 2023 into the Academia Empreende+, with the Albergaria 2030 economic development strategy. The programme promotes an entrepreneurial culture in Albergaria, providing the development of essential skills for employability and youth entrepreneurship, as well as supporting young people to establish themselves.

It is developed in partnership with the municipality's educational establishments and includes training for teachers and students at all levels of compulsory education. In 2023, with the new 2030 strategy, the training of secondary and vocational school students in financial literacy was integrated into the project.

Over the last 10 years, more than 7,000 students and 594 teachers have taken part, that makes the Academia Empreende+ one of the most emblematic initiatives of the Albergaria Empreende+ 2020 strategic plan, having evolved in 2023 to align with the Albergaria 2030 strategy.

This project is an example of successful collaboration between schools, local authorities, entrepreneurs and local associations. With this distinction, Albergaria-a-Velha stands out as a benchmark in innovation and entrepreneurship, showing that working together can create a positive and lasting impact.

The URBACT Programme received 249 applications from all over Europe, of which 116 were recognised, and Academia Empreende+ is one of them. This recognition places Albergaria-a-Velha among the good practices that can be replicated by other municipalities, reaffirming its commitment to local and European development.