The program is addressed to students of upper secondary schools (16 - 19 years old). It has been carried out since the beginning of 2013 in cooperation with the Junior Achievement Foundation.

Aim

The aim of the project is to teach students how to incorporate and manage their own business and to prepare them for taking and implementing actions related to social and professional areas, with particular emphasis on:

• preparation for engaging in and managing one's own business,

• showcasing chances and dangers arising from self-employment,

• preparation for entering the labor market,

• assistance in verifying one's own professional and educational plans,

• developing qualities and skills essential for managing one's own business,

• shaping essential attitudes and skills related to entrepreneurship.

Implementation

The beneficiaries of the project take part in theoretical classes and acquire knowledge on i.a. incorporation and management of one's own business and operation on the labor market, whereas, as part of practical activities, they open and manage a real enterprise in the form of a general partnership. As part of that activity they, i.a., look for an idea for a product or service, prepare a business plan, collect funds, take marketing actions, produce and sell their products or services, keep accounting books and take business risk.

The teenage micro-enterprise is registered with the Junior Achievement Foundation. It operates throughout the school year, from September to May. All students that create the teenage micro-enterprise act as its partners.

The experience gained allows the students to develop the required skills and habits, and, what is most important, prepares them to enter the labor market. Additionally, it helps break the negative stereotype deeply rooted in the minds of young people that succeeding in business is impossible.

Contests

Aside from focusing on the classes conducted at schools the program also consists of a contest for the best teenage micro-enterprise, entitled SMALL PRODUCT (PRODUKCIK)

It aims at selecting the best teenage micro-enterprise. By participating in the contest, students can verify their achievements, experiences and skills by competing with their colleagues from other schools.

The contest is composed of two stages.

• stage I - qualifications to the central competition (finals). At this stage, the Qualifications Committee evaluates the business reports prepared by the micro-enterprises. On that basis, it names 30 companies that make it to the nationwide finals.
• stage II - central competition (nationwide finals). The central competition takes place in the head office of the Warsaw Stock Exchange in Warsaw and lasts 2 days. Students take part in talks with the contest committee, once again present the business report on the operations of the micro-enterprise so that it can be evaluated, they present their companies and showcase the offer of the micro-enterprises at specially prepared stands. The companies are evaluated by four committees - three supplementary and the Main Commission, which is composed of members of the Junior Achievement Foundation Board.

The winner of the finals receives the Grand Prix of the Nationwide Best Teenage Micro-Enterprise Competition. They will represent Poland at the European stage of the competition: JA-YE Europe Company of the Year Competition.

The 2015 edition of the "Be Entrepreneurial" program plays host to 2640 students from 220 schools.