Reviving the Pioneer Spirit
From idea to opportunity
Three full-day workshops in Košice region fostering pioneer skills through hands-on co-creation
Overview
What has been done
This local pilot application was implemented in the Košice region aimed to develop creativity, communication, sustainability, and entrepreneurial skills among the wider public. Three public events were organised — two in Košice and one in the regional town of Rožňava—to extend outreach beyond the capital city of the region and engage residents from across the region. Community-oriented venues were selected to ensure accessibility for diverse target groups. Each event included three stand-alone interactive workshops led by local lecturers. The first workshops focused on creativity, sustainable thinking, and communication, while follow-up workshops in 2026 placed greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, product presentation, communication, and sales skills.
Why was it needed locally
The local action responded to the need to revive entrepreneurial attitudes and pioneer skills as drivers of the Košice region's transformation. Analyses identified gaps in entrepreneurial competences such as creativity, communication and opportunity recognition, despite their growing importance for the green and digital transition. The pilot aimed to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of the general public through accessible, hands-on learning that fostered self-development, initiative and innovative thinking. It also expanded access to entrepreneurial skills development, particularly in smaller towns in the region, contributing to a more resilient and innovative regional ecosystem.
Target Groups: How were they activated and their benefits
Regional society – General public, active communities
Activation: We reached the target group mainly through social media communication. Participants were motivated by the opportunity to gain practical skills and to engage in networking with others. Engagement during the workshops was maintained through hands-on, interactive activities focused on real product creation and practical learning.
-
Promoted the events through social media, partner networks, and local community organisations.
-
Organised the workshops in accessible community and cultural venues familiar to local residents.
-
Created an inclusive environment open to participants of different ages, backgrounds, experiences.
Benefit: Participants developed skills in opportunity recognition, idea generation, product presentation, customer communication, and basic business planning. The workshops also enhanced their creativity, communication skills, self-confidence, initiative, adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and capacity to work collaboratively with others.
-
Improved communication and presentation skills through practical exercises and group activities.
-
Strengthened creativity and problem-solving abilities by developing and testing new ideas.
-
Increased self-confidence in presenting ideas and engaging with others.
-
Enhanced adaptability and initiative through hands-on learning experiences.
-
Developed skills in opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial thinking.
Resources Required
Staff
The facilitators with entrepreneurial, makers and communication/promotion with long-standing expertise in their respective fields.
Space
Easily accessible community spaces and labs with regular workshops amenities.
Equipment
Whiteboards, TVs, and practical workshop materials were used. Upcycling activities involved discarded inflatable materials, scissors, cutting tools.
Budget
Medium: 2-10,000 €
Budget of approximately €6,000 in total (around €2,000 per event), covering staff, materials, lecturers, and organisational costs.
Methods & Steps
Core Mechanism
Formats applied
Workshop:
The core concept focused on developing entrepreneurial soft skills such as communication, creativity, adaptability, leadership, and environmental thinking through interactive workshops and lectures. Participants engaged in practical, hands-on activities designed to strengthen entrepreneurial thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The approach emphasized experiential learning and finding sustainable solutions in a collaborative setting.
Methods used: Upcycling (Sustainable hands-on practice): Participants engaged in a hands-on upcycling workshop focused on transforming discarded materials into new functional or creative products. The method emphasized sustainable thinking, environmental awareness, and practical recycling skills through direct work with materials such as used inflatable items. By combining guided facilitation with creative experimentation, participants developed a deeper understanding of sustainability and strengthened their ecological mindset.Reflection circles (Post-activity communication reflection): Participants engaged in structured group reflection sessions following communication-focused activities. The method supported open dialogue, active listening, and peer feedback, helping participants analyze their own communication styles and group interactions. It aimed to strengthen self-awareness and improve key soft skills such as communication, empathy, and collaboration.
Hands-on leathercraft: A small wallet was made from leftover leather materials during a hands-on workshop. Participants worked with leather offcuts to design and assemble a functional item while learning basic crafting techniques. Throughout the workshop, group interaction, networking, and communication were encouraged to support collaborative learning.
Steps taken
Preparation phase
1 month
- Pilot workshops designing: Key entrepreneurial soft skills definition, defining the formats, alignment with regional concepts, scheduling.
- Identification of key stakeholders: Mapping of the potential facilitators, mapping the potential spaces for workshops.
- Key topics selection: Defining the 3 consecutive topics for each workshop including one craft-focused activity.
- Production: Coordination of facilitators, spaces, materials, and engagement of the participants.
Workshops implementation
6 months
- Workshop Create, Connect, Develop: Focus on communication, adaptability and problem-solving through creative, hands-on workshops that merged craftsmanship with innovation. The full-day programme comprised three sessions on communication, sustainability and digital-sensory creativity, each designed to activate pioneer skills through experiential learning.
- Workshop From idea to opportunity in Rožňava: Developed participants’ entrepreneurial mindset and soft skills through hands-on experience in identifying market opportunities, creating a leather craft product, and exploring pathways for bringing creative products to market.
- Workshop From idea to opportunity in Košice: Focused on developing entrepreneurial competences and soft skills, enabling participants to identify market opportunities, transform creative ideas into tangible products, and gain practical insights into product development, market positioning, and pathways to commercialisation.
Evaluation
1 month
- Soft skills white board: Collecting the information about soft skills gained from participants using white board.
- Reflection circles : Structured group reflection sessions following communication-focused activities.
- Analysis and reflection: Summarizing the whole process, identifying strong and week points.
Results
Measurable and Direct Outcomes
The local action brought about the following concrete results:
- Improved maker skills: During the workshops, participants not only developed their entrepreneurial maker skills, but also enhanced their ability to critically reflect on and identify their strengths and areas for improvement in soft skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, and manual techniques.
Indirect Impacts
We focused on identifying key entrepreneurial soft skills and openly defining personal gaps and weaknesses, which were collectively mapped on a whiteboard. Together with the lecturer, we explored practical ways to improve these skills through discussion, shared reflection, and concrete examples, encouraging active involvement, co-learning, and responsibility for personal development.
Local Outlook / Follow-up
- Craft labs: CIKE will be able to add soft skills dimension into Craft Lab formats - an educational activities for artisans within ongoing project Craftwork 4.0 All. The project is focused on practical skills, which we can further develop through mutual communication and collaboration among participants.
- Open Studios format: Through the project, CIKE will strengthen the Open Studios format by equipping creatives with the skills needed to effectively engage with audiences, communicate the value of their work, and create meaningful visitor experiences.
- Regional strategy for soft skills development: The results of the local action, including participation, evaluation, feedback and its broader regional impact, will be analysed and used to refine the format into a replicable model for fostering entrepreneurial skills that support the region's transformation.
Evaluation
Satisfaction - Overview
Participant satisfaction was reflected not only in verbal feedback but also in continued engagement. Several participants chose to attend additional workshop formats to further develop their skills, and many expressed interest in taking part in similar activities in the future.
Satisfaction - Details
- The evaluation results: Participant satisfaction was particularly driven by the dynamic and interactive nature of the workshops, which combined practical learning with direct engagement. The hands-on sessions featured a well-established Slovak brand, providing participants with concrete insights into brand building.
Transfer Hints
- Local experts: It is important to engage local experts who are already known and trusted within the community, as this increases participants’ ability to relate to and connect with the shared experiences. This approach strengthens credibility, fosters openness, and enhances the overall impact of the learning proce
- Cultural centres: Use cultural centers as key venues, because they naturally bring together diverse groups of people and create an accessible environment for learning and collaboration.
- Crafts: Followers can select any type of craft or practical activity as the core of the workshop without losing the essence of the approach. The key value lies in the experiential learning process, development of soft and entrepreneurial skills, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Variations: The length and intensity of the workshop can vary, from short sessions to longer programs, without losing the core focus on practical learning and community engagement.
- Materials: Avoid limiting materials too strictly per number of participants, as this can reduce creativity, collaboration, and the overall hands-on learning experience.
- Small towns: Avoid assuming that the participant group will always be fully filled in small towns, as there is a risk of lower turnout which can affect group dynamics and workshop energy.
Participant Testimonials & Impressions
Impressions
Replicate This Application?
Access the complete implementation guide and connect with the team
Contact: Viktória Žitňanová Nagyová
Phone: -------
Email: viktoria.zitnanova.nagyova@cike.sk
Need more information?
Project manager:
Franziska Görmar
IfL - Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, Germany
Email
This project is supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund.
Find more information about the x-Inno Radar project on the Interreg CE projectwebsite.
x-Inno Radar is a project of: 
Creative Region Linz & Upper Austria Gmbh, 
The Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Karlovy Vary Region, 
Padova Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture, 
Creative Industry Košice, n. o., 
BSC, Business support centre, ltd., Kranj, 
Regional Development Agency in Bielsko-Biała, 
Stebo Competence Centre Community Developmentm, 
Association of Cultural and Creative Industries Chemnitz and Region (Creative Chemnitz), Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography – Germany, Otelo Cooperative