TRANSFIRM project to boost students' entrepreneurship

Louvain-La-Neuve, Mons

Born from the desire to unite the higher education institutions of the Hauts-de-France, Wallonia and Flanders, the TRANSFIRM project launched in February 2019 will be carried out for 3 years, until 2021. The objective is to raise students' awareness of entrepreneurship and support projects in development, but more specifically to

- Densify the economic fabric on the border between France and Belgium
- Develop cross-border student mobility
- Establish sustainable support systems for student-entrepreneurs and young graduates from the three regions.

The launch event of the project took place on February 27, 2019 at TechShop, a FabLab located in Lille. This action allowed the student-entrepreneurs of each partner institution to meet and share moments of creativity by working in mixed teams on innovative prototypes resulting from the recovery of materials.

During the 3 years of the project, 11 challenges and events will be organized. Students will be in mixed cross-border teams. The objective is to foster and develop creative projects on society themes of shared interest, in connection with the social economy, sustainable development, technology and culture sectors.

Student entrepreneurs will also be able to rely on numerous support systems for the creation of companies and associations in France and Belgium, thanks to the opening of cross-border workspaces, including coworking, FabLabs and incubators.

In addition, the Interreg TRANSFIRM project includes a training program on cross-border student entrepreneurship, accessible to any student or young graduate present in the Euro region. Entrepreneurship training will promote the acquisition of soft skills, which are highly valued in today's business world. These will be taught through tutoring and distance coaching At the end of the training, candidates will be able to obtain a certificate in entrepreneurial management.

Finally, practical tools, such as a guide to cross-border creation, will be developed and diffused to students, professionals providing support for business creation and local authorities. This tool will allow students to learn how to launch a project on both sides of the border, and to contact specific universities and schools that can help them turn their ideas into reality.

To follow the project, don't hesitate to visit the website.

Published on March 22, 2019