Social Entrepreneurship Goes Virtual

We applied for this project because we identified profound gaps in the support and training available to social and cultural entrepreneurs, especially those operating in the creative industries and in migrant-led initiatives. The COVID-19 crisis showed the vulnerability of this sector: many organisations lacked managerial and entrepreneurial skills, financial resilience, and above all the digital competences needed to adapt to changing markets. Our needs analysis confirmed that social enterprises often struggle to balance their social goals with sustainable business models, while non-profit organisations moving toward market-oriented activities lack practical tools for this transition. Migrant entrepreneurs face additional barriers such as limited access to capital and integration into mainstream support structures. At the same time, VET providers and support centres do not yet offer specialised or blended learning programmes to address these challenges, and students of business and management rarely encounter integrated perspectives that combine social, cultural, and entrepreneurial dimensions. Therefore, the project responds to multiple needs: equipping entrepreneurs with managerial, financial, and digital skills.

The project aimed to empower social and cultural entrepreneurs with the competences needed to create sustainable impact. Beyond addressing existing needs, it sought to design innovative learning pathways that combine entrepreneurial, managerial, and digital skills in a holistic way. The goal was to show that vocational education can drive resilience, innovation, and inclusion through tools and methods that are both practical and transferable across countries. A key focus was the digital transformation of VET, integrating blended learning and immersive technologies to enable access to training and markets regardless of geographic or social barriers. The project also strengthened cooperation between VET providers, support centres, and enterprises, building a European network to ensure continuity beyond its lifetime. Finally, it raised awareness of the social economy as a driver of inclusive growth and offered young people, migrants, and cultural actors the opportunity to turn their ideas into viable businesses, enhancing the visibility and sustainability of social entrepreneurship across Europe.

The GoViSE project was implemented through five interconnected work packages. First, effective project management was established with clear communication, evaluation, and risk management procedures. The core activity focused on developing the GoViSE methodology and VET curriculum, including research on training needs, case studies, and a methodological handbook with learning outcome matrices. In parallel, an innovative Virtual Training Shop in VR was created with four modules,market needs, marketing and communication, business finance and fundraising, and leadership skills,delivered through interactive avatars, videos, and quizzes. Complementing this, online VET toolkits with gamification and self-assessment elements were developed to enhance engagement and accessibility. Continuous sharing and promotion activities included three transnational meetings in Sweden, Serbia, and Austria, four national events, and an international final conference. These were supported by strong branding, dissemination strategies, and stakeholder involvement, ensuring visibility, feedback, and transferability.

The GoViSE project produced a set of innovative outputs that strengthened both the VET sector and the social and cultural entrepreneurship community. A key result was the creation of online toolkits for VET professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs, supporting the development and sustainable management of cultural and creative assets. In parallel, the project launched the open-source VR platform “Digital Shop”, a virtual gallery and collaborative space where entrepreneurs can present products through interactive 3D marketing displays and custom avatars. Available in both mobile and VR versions, it ensures broad accessibility. Another major output was the methodological manual and VET curriculum, offering structured guidance, learning outcomes, and case studies for integrating social entrepreneurship into VET programmes. These products were disseminated and tested through four multiplier events in partner countries and a final international conference in Vienna, ensuring visibility and stakeholder feedback. Beyond tangible results, the project enhanced transnational cooperation, strengthened digital competences, and increased awareness of social entrepreneurship as a driver of inclusive growth and innovation.