It is no secret that entrepreneurship is important for economic growth, especially in a post-crisis Europe. So it is logical that the European Commission is placing a lot of emphasis on creating a new wave of youth business leaders. But what do student organisations think about this?

Asked whether youth entrepreneurship is being given the importance it deserves, the European Students’ Forum branch in Malta (AEGEE-Valletta) argued that although “events, courses and activities promoting youth entrepreneurship are widely endorsed on both a European and national level, an entrepreneurial spirit requires a long-term approach, and should be instilled from early on in life.” The ‘one-solution approach’ used in our education hinders such creative monetary thinking, but as the European Studies Organisation (ESO) points out, it can also be a cultural issue:

“Few endeavour to risk and allow for certain ambitions, mostly due to social pressures”.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Studies Association (TSA) says that although “more can be done by local institutions… we are on the right track”.

When asked whether the EU was making things better or worse for business creation in Malta, all the student organisations seem to agree that the EU offers advantages to businesses.

AEGEE said “the EU has been successful in promoting entrepreneurship through schemes and programmes”, but added that there should be more international investment for the creation of a flourishing entrepreneurial environment.

ESO also argue in favour of more social aid, while TSA said proper recognition of the importance of youth entrepreneurship “seeks to help new entrepreneurs acquire the relevant skills… and expand their European outreach”.

Matthew Charles Zammit is media officer at Insite Malta.