Between end of May and the beginning of June 2014, CESIE carried out 4 interviews aiming to identify the weaknesses in trainings on entrepreneurship and innovation at local level. The interviews were held in the framework of the LLP Grundtvig Multilateral project FIERE – Furthering Innovative Entrepreneurial Regions of Europe, aiming to train members of local authorities and community organisations on innovative entrepreneurship, so as to foster the socio-economic development of less-developed regions of Europe.
The interviews involved 3 members of the Regional Department for Economics and Enterprise of Sicily (two senior officers, one general staff) and a member of “ARCA Business Incubator” of the University of Palermo (the communications manager), who filled out a questionnaire which was the result of a collaborative effort from all project partners.
Overall, interviews reflected a strong interest in the project and its objectives. Some points were shared by all interviewees, e.g. the organisational difficulties within public administration, due to an uneven distribution of staff, the hierarchical structure of local authorities, a heavy workload, the absence of a specific training path on entrepreneurship and innovation and the need to keep more regular contacts with the public and with other local stakeholders.
Some of the interviewees had past experiences as entrepreneurs, and think that innovative and entrepreneurial spirit is very important not only in companies but also in the fulfillment of everyday work activities, regardless of the field.
Most of the interviewees proved to be convinced of the importance of a training provision in the field of innovative entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on creative enterprises and on the EU legal framework.
The outcome of the survey will lay the foundations for the development of training paths on entrepreneurship and innovation addressed at members of local authorities and community organisations, aiming to bridge the gaps identified through the survey in the sector of entrepreneurship.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
