Creating practical knowledge basis for Social Twinning Enterprises' Readiness (STER) among young adults

In the last 10 years, a continuous population decrease has been observed in the target area of the cross-border program, which is also defined as a central problem in the program's strategy. There are other relevant negatively-evolving demographic characteristics in the Hungarian-Romanian border region, besides outmigration. The aging of the population of the region and, as a result, the increase of the proportion of dependents, as well as life expectancy at birth is also significantly behind the EU average. Based on these negative trends and unattractive characteristics, the active population will easily leave the region and will probably not return. Consequently there will be less and less developed workforce available in the CB region, which will further hinder the regional economic development and due to the further increase in the proportion of dependents, it further burdens the social welfare systems. Partly, the cause of demographic problems is the lack of appropriate socio-economic infrastructural conditions. In the case of emigration, attachment to the region is not only a matter of integrated socio-economic strategies at cross-border level, but community-led local initiatives and people-to-people actions with a bottom-up approach are also important. youngSTER’s overall aim is to create a model-like, pilot-level know-how transfer system for socially aware enterprises to be created by young people in the CB region, which also enables CB twinning-like collaborations, specifically reflecting on the socio-economic challenges of the CB region. Its overall aim is to reach a more sustainable, community-based cross-border cooperation level in the field of social economy, by increasing trust and reducing the barriers to cooperation between communities through the modeling of a pilot level socio-economic development scheme, and encouraging people-to-people actions through the establishment of basic twinning clusters of social enterprises in the CB region. youngSTER builds a sustainable and inclusive system (youngSTER Pilot Cooperation Network) and enables its pilot level implementation practice, namely: it offers tailor-made solutions for future community-led local development initiatives, and may support integrated socio-economic strategies at cross-border level (youngSTER Social Enterprise Cross-Border Development Action Plan), directly integrates people-to-people actions enabling know-how transfer for social entrepreneurial skills (i.e. LP delivers know-how surplus in the field of social awareness skills development and monitoring), generates joint people-to-people actions (i.e. informal training occasions and mentoring sessions, social enterprises expo as a dissemination event). The geographical directtarget group of the project consists of young people (25 HU and 25 RO persons) aged 14-18 who live and study in the CB region. Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg and Satu Mare counties considered to be a unique, socially, economically integrated area with a common historical development and therefore common socio-economic features. In addition to that, the demographic similarities and cultural heritage elements, the ethnic diversity, but also cultural homogeneity in the CB area of the neighbouring counties serve a smooth grounding for the initiatives of youngSTER to conclude to a joint development of the socio-economic background of the CB region's inhabitants and thus help to develop a more balanced and homogenous CB region within the European Union. SSB and SM have to deal with the same factors of weaknesses. Consequently the socio-economic integration of the disadvantaged target group members is crucial, and because of that, youngSTER aims the modeling, pilot level system-development of a CB business cluster hub, which shall coordinate real cooperation among CSOs through twinning activities. The focus of the project's activities is the transfer of know-how related to business planning skills and the shaping of attitudes based on social responsibility. However social and indirectly environmental sustainability (as an emphasized horizontal feature of the project) are related to both business planning and social awareness issues covered by the pilot project. Traditional educational methods is less effective for the purpose of forming the attitudes of the target group. Therefore the project's methodology is based 1) on the modeling and business planning practice of innovative social enterprises, supported by 2) informal and non-formal training and 3) affirmative mentoring processes. Another basic principle of the pilot-level system creation to be implemented by the project is the catalysis of CB twinning processes. A Social Twinning Enterprises' Readiness (STER) system must be established, which, through the methodology of business planning, creates "ready-to-launch" CB clusters, i.e. enterprises with a social purpose based on partnership cooperation, in a direct economic and thematic (social) pairing (RO and HU).

Overview and General Progress LP and PP2 have worked in close cooperation to establish a cross-border pilot model that empowers young people (aged 14–18) through informal education and mentoring in the field of social entrepreneurship. During the current reporting period, both partners made substantial progress under Work Package 1 (WP1) – Development of the youngSTER Pilot Cooperation Network (ySPCN) and Work Package 2 (WP2) – Informal Training and Mentoring Pilot (ySITMP). Activities were fully aligned with the approved Application Form and the partnership’s joint methodology, ensuring mirrored implementation in Hungary and Romania, and creating the foundations for future cross-border replication. WP1 – Building the youngSTER Pilot Cooperation Network In WP1, the partners jointly prepared partially the youngSTER Informal Training Curricula (ySITC) – a three-module programme designed to introduce youth to the world of social enterprises. The curriculum development was a genuinely co-created output: - Module 1 focuses on Introduction to social enterprises – including definitions, history, and the role of social entrepreneurship in addressing community needs. - Module 2 addresses Characteristics, values, and sustainability, introducing participants to governance models, revenue generation, and impact measurement. - Module 3 offers a practical guide to Launching and operating a social enterprise – covering market research, legal frameworks, and partnership building. LP adapted the content to the national legal environment and business culture, while PP2 provided contextual input from the Romanian side, focusing on disadvantaged communities and social inclusion aspects. In parallel, both partners conducted extensive Target Group Recruitment (ySTGR) campaigns, engaging schools, NGOs, and community stakeholders. In Hungary, recruitment sessions took place across ten educational institutions and civil organizations in Nyíregyháza, Vásárosnamény, and Kisvárda. LP’s project staff conducted information sessions, incl. classroom presentations, and local outreach events to attract motivated high-school students and/or negotiaions with representatives of the organizations. In Romania, PP2 led the recruitment in Satu Mare County using a mixed outreach strategy – combining e.g. school presentations, and direct collaboration with local leaders. Their efforts resulted in the selection of 34 participants (instead of the planned 25), half of whom are from rural or disadvantaged minority backgrounds. Through WP1, the youngSTER Pilot Cooperation Network was successfully established, bringing together a diverse, motivated cohort of young people on both sides of the border – creating the social foundation for subsequent joint learning and mentoring. WP2 – Informal Training and Mentoring Pilot Under WP2, both partners organised and delivered the first round of informal training sessions and mentoring activities, ensuring a coherent educational experience based on the jointly developed curriculum. Informal Training Between June 5–19, 2025 (Romania) and June 10–12, 2025 (Hungary), participants attended three highly interactive sessions. Training topics included: 1. Introduction to Social Enterprises – exploring concepts, history, and the differences from traditional businesses. 2. Organisational Values and Sustainability – including community engagement and financial planning exercises. 3. Social Innovation and Legal Frameworks – guiding participants through the fundamentals of setting up a social enterprise. The sessions were delivered using experiential learning methods such as group work, role-playing, case studies, and practical assignments. In both countries, the feedback indicated strong engagement and enthusiasm among participants, particularly due to the focus on real-world examples and youth-led discussions. Mentoring In parallel, structured mentoring began in both territories. In Hungary, mentoring meetings took place between June 13–24, while in Romania, mentoring was conducted continuously during and after the training sessions. Each participant or small group was paired with an experienced mentor who guided them in shaping their initial business idea and translating it into the first elements of a business plan (market analysis, social mission, value proposition). By the end of the period, all participants submitted a preliminary business concept, demonstrating progress from abstract learning to practical entrepreneurship. Mentoring combined in-person meetings and online follow-up sessions, ensuring flexibility and continuity. Financial and Operational Performance Both partners maintained steady financial implementation, with expenditure levels of 25.73% (Hungary) and 20.56% (Romania) of their total budgets, primarily driven by staff costs and local event organisation. All activities were completed within the planned timeframe and scope, without significant deviations or delays. By the end of the current reporting period (02.07.2025–01.10.2025), the youngSTER project (ROHU00237) has moved from methodological preparation to structured pilot implementation, achieving substantial progress toward its core objectives and laying a solid foundation for long-term cross-border social enterprise development. Under Work Package 1, the project successfully completed the development of the youngSTER Pilot Cooperation Network (ySPCN). The initial target of involving at least 50 young people aged 14–18 was significantly exceeded: 34 participants were recruited in Hungary and 34 in Romania, resulting in a balanced cross-border cohort of 68 motivated young people. This network forms the backbone of the pilot model. In parallel, partners developed and finalised a comprehensive 12-module informal training curriculum. The curriculum covers social entrepreneurship fundamentals, innovation and creativity tools, business planning, financial literacy, marketing, sustainability, social impact measurement (including Theory of Change and SROI), project management and evaluation. The materials were harmonised, structured with clear learning objectives and practical assignments, and prepared in digital and print-ready formats. The thematic structure of mentoring activities was also defined based on the needs assessment of the target group. As a result, WP1 objectives were fully achieved and the starting model of the youngSTER Pilot became operationally ready. Building on this foundation, Work Package 2 entered its pilot implementation phase. Between July and September 2025, informal training sessions were delivered in both countries in alignment with the harmonised curriculum. In Hungary, three training occasions were organised in September 2025, while in Romania three additional sessions were implemented between July and September 2025. All 68 participants actively took part in interactive workshops combining expert input, group work and practical exercises. The focus shifted from conceptual understanding toward concrete business idea development. Parallel to training, structured mentoring was implemented in both countries. In Hungary, mentoring sessions took place between 08–11 September 2025, while in Romania mentoring was delivered between 29 August and 26 September 2025 through in-person and online consultations. Experts guided youth teams in refining their social enterprise concepts, defining mission and vision, mapping stakeholders, integrating measurable social impact, and outlining financial and operational structures. By the end of the reporting period, all teams had progressed from initial ideas to structured draft-level business concepts under the Social Twinning Enterprises’ Readiness (STER) framework. Although ready-to-launch business plans will be finalised in the next phase, the pilot model is already functioning in practice and demonstrates tangible results. The added value of cross-border cooperation is clearly visible throughout implementation. The curriculum integrates both Hungarian and Romanian socio-economic contexts, including rural development challenges and examples of local social enterprises from both regions. Continuous coordination ensured methodological coherence while allowing adaptation to local realities. Participants benefit from exposure to a cross-border development logic, preparing them for future twinning of enterprises and cluster-based cooperation. The partnership between FIXYA (HU) and SF. Anton Foundation (RO) goes beyond parallel implementation: it represents genuine joint development, harmonised delivery and shared ownership of results. Financially, the project shows balanced progress, with 48.80% of the total eligible budget reported by the end of the period. Expenditure is aligned with the work plan, and no major deviations have occurred. Overall, youngSTER has successfully established a cross-border youth pilot network, developed a comprehensive training and mentoring system, and launched the practical implementation of a model supporting socially responsible entrepreneurship among young people. The project demonstrates how structured cross-border cooperation can empower youth, strengthen local communities and create a sustainable framework for future social enterprise development in the Programme area.