Learn About Our Impact | School Enterprise Challenge

Our Impact

The School Enterprise Challenge supports schools in introducing entrepreneurship education to students and teachers.

Over the past 12 years, the School Enterprise Challenge has directly transformed the education and life chances of over 500,000 young people across 100 countries, impacting their lives and communities. Indirectly, our reach extends to over 4 million individuals, reflecting real, tangible change.

Enabling young people worldwide

500,000 young people gained vital 21st-century skills and business experience. Our programme equips students with essential skills like leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Leading a new generation of entrepreneurship educators

Over 20,000 teachers trained, enabling them to deliver effective entrepreneurship education.

Providing schools with sustainable sources of revenue and impact

Schools have collectively generated 3.5 million USD for their school communities.

Inspirational Stories

Over the years, we've had some inspiring school businesses make their mark on their local communities through the School Enterprise Challenge. Read about some of their incredible success stories and the impact they've made not only in their schools but in the lives of those beyond.

Principals enabling hands-on learning through entrepreneurship education

Meet Danny Dadson, the visionary educator behind Daddies Firm Foundation School in rural Ghana. With a background in both Building Technology and Business Administration, Danny knows the importance of practical learning experiences. His journey with the School Enterprise Challenge started when he sought an online program to bridge the gap between traditional education and real-world skills.

At his school, the focus shifted to hands-on entrepreneurship. The students, from juniors to the youngest nursery-age learners, actively participate in running the school farm. They cultivate crops and raise livestock, not just for sale but also for sustenance. Danny's students discovered the power of practical problem-solving through a SWOT analysis, leading to innovative solutions like rainwater harvesting to combat the dry season.

The impact extends beyond the school gates. Students take their newfound skills back to their parents, many of whom are fishermen and farmers, enriching their family businesses. Danny envisions his school becoming a model for entrepreneurial education in the community and inspiring other schools across Ghana.

Through the School Enterprise Challenge, Danny empowers young people with practical skills that not only shape their future but also create a positive ripple effect in their communities. Join us in celebrating educators like Danny who are lighting the way for generations to come!

Breaking down barriers for young girls and boys in schools

Fernanda Vincent, an 18-year-old student in Veracruz, Mexico, is defying the gender norms and expectations of her small town. Living in a community heavily reliant on the male-dominated petroleum industry, Fernanda is determined to rise above stereotypes and create her own professional path, but her journey hasn’t always been one of self-belief.

In her final year of high school, her teacher invited her to join the team that would participate in the School Enterprise Challenge; however, she hesitated due to self-doubt. Nevertheless, she summoned the courage to take the plunge and challenge her own reservations.

Teaming up with her peers, Fernanda became a driving force behind 'Art-íyat,' a business venture specialising in handmade clay products. Initially, she occupied a role in the Production and Marketing department, gradually gaining confidence in her abilities. As her self-assurance grew by seeing all the ideas she was coming up with, Fernanda assumed a leadership role, taking charge of the department, managing social media accounts, and creating captivating brochures to promote the business.

Art-íyat, like any business, encountered its share of challenges. Perfecting the art of clay moulding proved to be a complex endeavour, leading to a few disagreements among team members. These challenges, however, served as invaluable lessons in decision-making, conflict resolution, and effective communication. Fernanda also honed essential business skills, including budgeting and providing exceptional customer service. Managing the company's finances and cultivating strong supplier relationships, she realised the profound impact these skills could have on her future career as a dentist.

Beyond the practical skills, the School Enterprise Challenge instilled Fernanda with newfound confidence and self-belief. From a hesitant participant, she transformed into a passionate entrepreneur unafraid to showcase her creations. Those initial sales marked a turning point, bolstering her belief in her entrepreneurial capabilities.

As a female entrepreneur, Fernanda gets frustrated when people go easy on her simply because she is a woman. She says that the programme has shown her that women can be anything they want, including successful entrepreneurs!

With her high school journey complete and her acceptance into dentistry school, Fernanda's dreams are now becoming a reality. Her goal is to establish and manage her own dental practice, leveraging her skills to create her brand and navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. "With this experience, I was able to bring out, polish, and acquire knowledge", she reflects. "I want to pursue university education, and now I know that I am capable of generating additional income if I ever encounter any financial challenges when studying, besides, I will be able to create my own brand and manage my dental office."

Enabling women in business through skills-development

Navya Aggarwal, a 20-year-old entrepreneur from India, is a shining example of how participation in the School Enterprise Challenge can have a profound impact on a young person's life. She joined the programme whilst she was a student at St. Mark's School in 2015 at just 15 years old to gain a wider understanding of the world of management.

Navya and her team, called Nirmaan Enterprises, decided to create a business that would support underprivileged women in their community. They crafted a range of handmade products, from chocolates to designer pencils and more. She took the initiative to train these women in the art of crafting the products, opening doors to employment opportunities for those who had previously faced socioeconomic barriers.

A portion of the profit earned was used to pay their salaries and the rest was reinvested into the business, creating a sustainable social enterprise model. Her work with underprivileged women to provide employment and fair compensation highlights the significance of empowerment at the grassroots level.

Not only did Navya inspire a change for underprivileged women within her community but she also developed management, teamwork and organisation skills, which laid the foundation for her education and future career in business management. She firmly believes that the School Enterprise Challenge equipped her with the confidence to pursue her educational and professional goals.

With a clear vision for her future, Navya aims to complete her post-graduation at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management - Rohtak, continuing her journey in the field of finance. Her ultimate goal is to fully embrace her entrepreneurial spirit and expand her father's business or launch her own enterprise.

Having taken part in the programme, Navya is now an advocate for taking the first step without hesitation. She believes that the fear of failure often hinders progress and says “don't hesitate, just get started”. Her inspiring journey from a hesitant school student to a confident entrepreneur is a compelling example of the transformative power of the School Enterprise Challenge.

TEACH A MAN TO FISH

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