Background

It has been over three decades since the concept of entrepreneurship began to broaden at the policy and political levels, linking it to education, personal development, and broader societal impacts. One of the first reports addressing this challenge was the 1989 OECD report, Towards an Enterprising Culture – A Challenge for Education and Training (OECD 1989). This report highlighted the distinction between the broader perspective of entrepreneurship—related to personal development and attitude—and the narrower perspective focused solely on business creation.

Within European cooperation, several initiatives have been launched to enhance the impact of entrepreneurship, particularly in education. One example is the Lisbon Strategy (2000), which emphasized entrepreneurship as an important element within education systems, particularly regarding attitudes and broader perspectives. There are also the 8 Key Competences, in which the EU Commission and member states aim for everyone to develop and strengthen their competencies and basic skills, from an early age and throughout life. These key competencies encompass the knowledge, skills, and attitudes everyone needs to develop and thrive, find employment, engage in social contexts, and participate actively in society. Entrepreneurship is considered one of the key competencies for lifelong learning.

Soft skills are part of the broader perspective of entrepreneurship—attitudes—which involve developing and stimulating general competencies such as taking initiative, taking responsibility, and turning ideas into action. It’s about fostering curiosity, self-confidence, creativity, and the courage to take risks. The entrepreneurial mindset also promotes the ability to make decisions, communicate, and collaborate. Being entrepreneurial and enterprising is the same thing: it means seizing opportunities, embracing change, and creating value—personal, cultural, social, or economic.

Entrepreneurial competencies and soft skills are vital for both individual and societal development. For individuals, they empower people to realize their dreams. For society, it’s about fostering citizens who take responsibility for democracy, are proactive, and develop initiatives or start something new. Learning to solve problems, plan work, and collaborate with others can also make young people more successful. Entrepreneurial competencies are in demand in the public and private sectors of the labor market. Entrepreneurial knowledge is also essential for those who want to start and run their businesses.

The entrepreneurial competencies and soft skills that the SkillXellerate project focuses on are aimed at strengthening young people’s abilities, such as problem-solving skills, critical thinking, resilience, adaptability, and enhanced decision-making abilities. These competencies not only help entrepreneurs but also equip all individuals to manage uncertainty, overcome obstacles, and navigate through changes.

Problem-Solving Skills

In everyday life, we constantly encounter challenges, whether it’s solving practical problems, managing personal relationships, or organizing our time. Young employees or young entrepreneurs often face challenges either in the workplace or within their organizations. Soft skills, such as problem-solving ability, help us analyze situations from different perspectives, identify the root causes of problems, and come up with creative solutions. Being a skilled problem solver can make everyday life and work smoother and less stressful.

Critical Thinking

The ability to think critically helps us question assumptions and make well-informed decisions in our daily lives, whether we are employees, entrepreneurs, or private individuals. This might involve reflecting on our habits, evaluating risks, or weighing pros and cons before making important decisions. Critical thinking can contribute to better, more sustainable long-term choices. It means not acting impulsively but making informed decisions, increasing the chances of long-term success for both the individual and the organization. Entrepreneurs or employees who can think critically are quick to identify inefficient processes or problems in workflow and contribute to improvements.

Resilience

Learning from mistakes and moving forward, whether in personal relationships, work, or health, is crucial for personal growth, but it also involves using experiences as lessons. Resilience helps us manage change and overcome difficult situations with greater confidence. This ability enables individuals to continue performing and developing despite challenges.

Adaptability

The world, daily life, and work tasks are constantly changing, and the ability to adapt to new situations is essential. Whether it involves handling technology, altered plans, or unexpected events, adaptability helps us remain flexible and open to change. It allows us to continue being effective and satisfied, even when circumstances shift. Individuals who are open to change can quickly adjust their ways of working to meet new demands from employers or the market.

Decision-Making

In life, we often need to make quick, well-considered decisions, whether it’s about finances, family, work, or personal goals. Soft skills help us assess situations and make the right decisions based on the information we have, leading to better outcomes in both large and small decisions.

Building and Maintaining Relationships

Both work and daily life involve creating and maintaining relationships with colleagues, customers, and managers. Soft skills like empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence help us build strong relationships, resolve conflicts, and show understanding of others' perspectives. These skills create deeper, more meaningful relationships that provide support and joy in everyday life. Being able to collaborate effectively, inspire teamwork, and resolve conflicts constructively is key to success, whether as a young entrepreneur or employee.

In conclusion, soft skills make a significant difference in daily life. They help us navigate challenges, make better decisions, build strong relationships, and contribute to long-term career success by enhancing cooperation, flexibility, and leadership in the workplace or maybe a way to a entrepreneurial success.