Ecosys4you – A 3‑Year Journey Completed, Yet the Story Continues
Long live Ecosys4you!
The Project Has Officially Ended – 31 May 2026
After three productive years of research, co‑creation and cross‑regional exchange, the EU‑funded Ecosys4you project has reached its formal end date. We are deeply grateful to every partner, stakeholder, mentor, student and community member who joined us on this adventure.
What happens now? All activities will live on through a decentralised, network‑based organisation that keeps the spirit of Ecosys4you alive.
The Ecosys4you Network Organisation – How It Works
Structure: A loosely‑joined but clearly‑structured cooperation network, united under the Ecosys4you brand.
Two interlinked layers:
Core Network Partners (we) – the original consortium, including the Institute for Work and Technology of the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, the Regional Agency for Economic Development Varna (RAPIV), DOBA Business School and Aware7, will continue to provide strategic direction and quality standards.
Activity‑Based Sub‑Networks(you) – thematic groups (online classes, mentoring, internships, co‑ideation challenges) that operate autonomously in each region.
The model proved that cross‑ecosystem work does not require a highly formalised central entity; instead, a flexible, trust‑based network delivers the agility needed to keep youth‑driven entrepreneurship thriving across Europe.
Ecosys4you at PODIM
From 11–13 May 2024 we presented the full three‑year story at the PODIM Conference in Maribor, Slovenia.
PODIM, an annual leading and influential startup and tech event in Central and Eastern Europe, gathers startups & scaleups, visionary investors, forward-thinking business executives, politicians and academics to shape together the face of innovation since 1980.
Over 100 participants from academia, NGOs, start‑ups, public authorities and young founders attended our plenary talk and engaged with us during the three-day event.
We used the platform to issue a call‑to‑action: all interested actors are invited to join the newly‑formed Ecosys4you Network and continue the four flagship activities in their own territories.
The Final Report – A Must‑Read Overview
Across Europe, lagging regions are searching for answers to the persistent challenges of uneven economic development. Too often, youth are seen only as beneficiaries of policy, not as the powerful drivers of regional transformation they already are. The Ecosys4you project demonstrates how empowering young people within entrepreneurial ecosystems can unlock inclusive, resilient growth for those regions that need it most. Our final report, “Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and the Youth. Unlocking the Potential for Lagging Regions”, details the evidence, the four tested activities (online classes, cross‑ecosystem mentoring, startup internships, and co‑ideation challenges) and provides ready‑to‑use toolkits for replication.
Entrepreneurial Mind in Action – The Ecosys4you MOOC
Our open, free Massive Open Online Course, Entrepreneurial Mind in Action in the Digital Age, is now permanently hosted by DOBA Business School.
Who can join? Everyone. EMA is intended for students, pupils, alumni, young people interested in entrepreneurship and young founders.
What you’ll get: 3 interactive modules fostering an entrepreneurial mindset from starting a company, through growing it and achieving sustainable success.
How to enrol: Simply visit the MOOC landing page and follow the steps.
Join the Network: If you want to participate in any of the four activities as a student, mentor, host or challenge giver, please don’t hesitate to contact us: info@ecosys4you.eu.
Spread the word: Share the final report, MOOC and event highlights on social media using #Ecosys4you.
Stay connected: The newsletter will continue on an annual basis. You can also follow us on LinkedIn for updates on upcoming webinars, regional meet‑ups and new partnership opportunities.
Thank you for believing in the power of youth to reshape Europe’s lagging regions. The journey does not stop here – it merely switches from a project‑centric model to a self‑sustaining network.
With gratitude and optimism, The Ecosys4you Consortium www.ecosys4you.eu
