Creation of the European micro and family business service design hub platform for fostering a sustainable digitalized economy

The service sector accounts for more than 70% of the EU output and jobs, so the future development of the economy and labour markets depends on it. Global consumption patterns are becoming sustain...

SeDiHUB's aim was to upskill micro&family enterprises to employ SD to develop sustainable and digitalized services and is structured into the objectives below: To raise awareness of micro&family (M&F) enterprises about SD so as to develop customer-oriented services in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way in the digitalized economy. To provide knowledge, skills, and competencies to micro&family enterprises required to develop customer-oriented services themselves To provide VET providers with a methodological approach to using new tools and online learning resources to teach SD when environmental issues and digitalization options have been taken into account. To create training material specifically for M&F enterprises, accompanied by the necessary guidelines and tools for developing services. To create an online learning platform to develop SD thinking among M&F enterprises. To create an M&F business hub where stakeholders can learn how to apply SD, matchmake and create joint services. To raise awareness among policymakers, and stakeholders involved in the business development ecosystem on SD thinking necessity as a crucial point of creating added value in the service, digital economy and sustainable development.

Activities were planned through a service design method using a double diamond approach to design a qualitative project result according to the target groups' needs. The methodology of the horizontal and the vertical approach was used for the smooth running of the project. Project activities included: 1. Project management, evaluation - horizontal activities. 2. Production of results, implementation of the training activity - vertical activities. 3. Dissemination & multiplier events – horizontal activities. The double diamond process parts were: discover, define, develop, and deliver. By using Service design methods in the SeDiHUB, we ensured that the project's final training approach, training material, and online platform met the needs of the project's main target groups (micro & family businesses, VET providers). R1 activities were part of the SD process in double diamond called 'discover and define'. Through R1 activities, we delivered the project's goal of creating tailor-made training content for micro & family businesses. The following sub-activities were performed: - Mapping theoretical foundation and training needs - Development of the desired learning outcomes and curriculum according to EQF - Development of the training methodology and assessment of the SeDiHUB - Compilation of the training approach - Executive summary and translation into all partners' languages R2 activities were based on 'define and develop'. The input of activities came from the outcomes obtained from R1. In order to achieve the project objective, an LTT activity was needed to develop tailor-made training courses for micro and family businesses. During the LTT, training for all project participants on service design and tools was provided. The first structure of the content of the training was developed. After the LTT meeting, all project partners had a unified overview of how the content was developed in R2 and R3. In addition, guidance material for VET providers was developed to ensure the attainment of the project's objective in providing them a methodological approach. The following sub-activities and LTT event were done: - Training material each based on the principles of distance learning, online learning, and service design theories - Translation of the training material into all partner languages In designing R3 activities, we proceeded with – 'develop and deliver'. The development of R3 helped to achieve the project's goal by creating an online learning platform as a self-directed learning tool for the development of service design skills among micro and family businesses as well as to VET providers. The following sub-activities were done: - Online platforms needs analysis, functionality design - Digitizing service design tools - Development of the gamified resources - Online platform content management, testing, training material, tools uploading. - Piloting online platform and making improvements R4 was the 'deliver' phase, focusing on producing a comprehensive guide for the creation of a micro & family business hub for the further exploration of the exploitation of the training approach and results. The guide was a set of digital toolkits, relevant to the needs of the target groups, and recommendations on the further use of the SeDiHUB training model and products. The following sub-activities were done: - Focus groups, contacts with stakeholders - Developing guidelines, templates, and material relevant to each of the target groups' needs - Translation into all partner languages

Results of the SeDiHUB: R1. A multidisciplinary training approach and modular curriculum including training methodology and assessment for micro and family enterprises' up-skilling on developing sustainable business and environmental services through SD in the digitalized economy. R2. Training resources are specially designed to address the needs and to study styles of micro and family enterprises to develop sustainable business and environmentally friendly services through SD in the digitalized economy. The training material serves the principles of distance, online and self-directed learning, and SD theories and will be structured into text, videos, case studies, simulation scenarios and good practices. R3. An online learning platform specifically designed for micro and family entrepreneurs, that provides an excellent overview of the SD process and tools, enriched with an online SD toolbox and gamified resources. R4. Comprehensive guides, in the form of a set of digital tools, for the creation of a micro & family business hub and further exploitation of SeDiHUB results by VET/other training providers, organizations providing support to micro& family enterprises, business consultants, micro &family businesses and the SeDiHUB results are freely accessible online. For Participating organizations, other results are new synergies and increased capacity in working at the EU level with organizations from different fields. New cooperation has been born between the participating organizations as a result of this project The SeDiHUB platform are innovative educational approach built on active, transformative, and digital learning to address business sustainability and the production of environmentally friendly services through SD in the digital economy. Micro and family entrepreneurs who have been related to project activities know about developing services, and following SD principles and steps has improved. Also the improved knowledge about sustainable business models and increased awareness of SD benefits towards the development of sustainable business and environmentally friendly services in the digitalized economy. The increased sensitization about environmentally friendly services and sustainable development. Also increased awareness of service design as a way towards customer-centred service development. All companies that come into contact with the given materials and work after the end of the project get the same benefit. VET providers and VET trainers have the opportunity to increase the knowledge and skills related to SD and its value in addressing sustainability and environmentally friendly services in the digitalized economy. Also, competencies to guide VET students on how to conceptualize and take over the control of the SD process to provide sustainable business solutions and environmentally friendly services. In addition, ability to promote active, transformative learning, and novel training activities and the creation of SD and sustainable development culture. Business Consultants who have been related to project activities have increased their knowledge and skills related to SD and its value in addressing business sustainability and developing environmentally friendly services in the digitalized economy. In addition creation of SD and sustainable development culture Policymakers & other relevant stakeholders and awareness-raising about the need to create more supportive activities for families and micro-enterprises to increase their added value and sustainable development.