Reviving the Pioneer Spirit
X-TRA PROJECT: From Student Ideas to Real Impact
Empowering students to turn ideas into real projects with mentoring and financial support
Overview
What has been done
The X-TRA project was designed to strengthen pioneer spirit and entrepreneurial skills among young people by engaging primary and secondary school students in developing their own project ideas through a structured mentoring programme. Following an open call, 10 teams were selected, invited to a kick-off event and supported with mentoring and small-scale funding. Over several months, students developed and implemented their projects while strengthening skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving and responsibility through hands-on experience. The project concluded with a final public event, where teams presented outcomes including school podcast studios, relaxation spaces, intergenerational initiatives and student-led products.
Why was it needed locally
The pilot addressed the gap in practical entrepreneurial and soft skills development within the formal education system, where such competencies are often underrepresented. Young people in the region have limited opportunities to test their ideas in real-life contexts. The intention was to create a supportive environment where students can learn by doing a hands-on project experience.
Target Groups: How were they activated and their benefits
Primary / secondary school – Students aged approximately 12 to 18 years old
Activation: The target group was activated through an open call to schools, direct outreach to teachers, promotion via our channels, and by engaging teachers as multipliers to form student teams.
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Direct outreach to teachers and school coordinators
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Open call to schools
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Promotion through our website and social media
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Promotion at our own events
Benefit: Students gained hands-on experience in turning their ideas into real projects, strengthening their confidence and sense of initiative. They explored their own business ideas in a supportive environment while developing key skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and basic budgeting and financial management.
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Developed soft skills (communication, teamwork, problem-solving)
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Gained first experience in entrepreneurship
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Gained hands-on experience in project work
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Explored their own ideas in a supportive environment
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Learned to turn ideas into concrete actions
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Experienced real-life impact of their work
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Developed basic budgeting skills
Resources Required
Staff
Project coordinators and mentors with experience in entrepreneurship, education and facilitation.
Space
Kovačnica (business incubator and co-working space) for 'Kick-off' event, meetings and final event
Equipment
Presentation equipment, seating for up to 100 participants, catering
Budget
Medium: 2-10,000 €
Funding for teams (500 €/primary school team, 1.000 €/secondary school team, event costs (5.000 €), venue free of charge
Methods & Steps
Core Mechanism
Formats applied
Mentoring programme:
We implemented a mentoring programme where each team received guidance from a dedicated mentor throughout the project. In addition to mentoring support, teams were also provided with small-scale funding to help realise their ideas.
Methods used: Team mentoring sessions: Each team received guidance from mentors who supported them in planning, decision-making and problem-solving, while still encouraging independence.Project-based learning: Students learned by doing through developing real-life projects and taking responsibility for planning, teamwork and decision-making.
Budget responsibility: Teams managed a small budget, learning basic financial planning and decision-making in a practical context.
Steps taken
PLANNING
2 weeks
- Format design: Define project concept, timeline and structure
- Budget planning: Define funding per team and overall budget
- Database setup: Prepare and organise a database of schools, teachers and coordinators
- Documentation preparation: Prepare consent forms (GDPR, parental permissions for minors)
- Application format setup: Define how applications are submitted (a form, short video presentation, email ...)
- Promotional materials: Design posters, visuals and social media templates
OPEN CALL & PROMOTION
1 month
- Evaluation criteria setup: Define scoring system and selection criteria
- Open call: Invite schools and student teams to apply
- School outreach: Contact teachers and school coordinators directly
- Promotion: Share open call via website, social media and partners
SELECTION OF TEAMS
1 week
- Application review: Evaluate submitted ideas
- Team selection: - Selecting teams
- Inform selected teams
- Assigning mentors
- Invite teams to kick-off event
KICK-OFF
0.5 day
- Project introduction: Present goals, timeline and expectations
- Basic training: Introduce project planning and budgeting
- Team alignment: Connect teams with mentors
MENTORING & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
3-5 months
- Mentoring sessions: Support teams in development and decisions (Once a month/week)
- Independent work: Teams develop and implement their ideas
FINAL EVENT
0.5 day
- Project presentations: Teams present their results publicly
- Audience voting: Select winning teams
- Reflection & networking: Share experiences and connect participants
Results
Measurable and Direct Outcomes
The local action brought about the following concrete results:
- Improved entrepreneurial / pioneer skills: A total of 20 project proposals were submitted, from which 10 teams were selected to develop their ideas. Two winning teams received additional mentoring support and summer office space.
- Improved transversal skills: More than 50 participants strengthened key soft skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving through collaboration, discussion and reflection.
- Business models: Students developed 10 different projects, including redesigned school walls, recreational activities for younger pupils, relaxation and social spaces, career exploration interviews, a reading app, a school podcast studio, digital intergenerational activities, a chestnut roasting machine, and a healthy energy drink alternative.
Indirect Impacts
The X-TRA project strengthened connections between schools, students and the local innovation ecosystem, creating new opportunities for collaboration beyond the project itself. It raised awareness of project-based learning as an effective way to develop soft and entrepreneurial skills in a real-life context. The pilot also laid the foundation for repeating and scaling the format in future school years as part of a more structured programme.
Local Outlook / Follow-up
- Continuation of the X-TRA PROJECT: Kovačnica plans to repeat and further develop the X-TRA project in the next school year, building on lessons learned from the pilot phase and refining the format.
- Kovačnica Junior: Strengthening and expanding existing activities with entrepreneurial children, enriching the current programme with new formats and content.
- Bringing entrepreneurship into schools: Building stronger partnerships with schools to integrate entrepreneurial and soft skills into regular school programmes.
Evaluation
Satisfaction - Overview
Participant feedback collected through a post-project survey and on-site was consistently positive. They particularly valued the opportunity to develop their own ideas and work on real-life projects. Teachers also expressed strong satisfaction and interest in continuing the project, providing constructive suggestions for further improvement of the concept. Many indicated they would be happy to participate again in the next school year.
Satisfaction - Details
- Strong interest in continuation: 100% of responding teachers expressed interest in participating again and supported integrating similar project-based approaches into regular school programmes.
- High satisfaction and engagement: Participants reported high satisfaction (5/5), highlighting the practical, hands-on approach.
- Visible improvement in student engagement: More than 90 % of mentors reported increased student independence, initiative and confidence throughout the project, particularly in teamwork, communication and presenting ideas publicly.
Transfer Hints
- Give students real responsibility: Let them lead their own projects and make decisions – ownership is key for motivation and learning.
- Keep it simple and fun: Make participation easy – no fees, no complex sign-ups, relaxed atmosphere. The lower the barrier, the more young people will join.
- Contact schools directly: Connect personally with teachers and coordinators – they are key to reaching students who are not yet part of your network.
- Adjust budget size: The format can work with smaller or larger budgets.
- Number of teams: Scale the project depending on available resources and capacity.
- Project duration: Shorter or longer timelines are possible depending on your context.
- Space: A larger venue is needed for at least two key events (kick-off and final presentation), while mentoring meetings can take place either on-site or online.
- Don’t underestimate mentoring: Regular support is crucial to keep teams on track and motivated.
- Don’t over-structure the process: Too many rules reduce creativity and ownership. Keep students in the lead – mentors should guide, not direct.
Participant Testimonials & Impressions
Impressions
Replicate This Application?
Access the complete implementation guide and connect with the team
Contact: Maruša Bonča
Email: marusa.bonca@bsc-kranj.si
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