The city of Hamburg has taken significant strides in promoting itself as a hub for innovation and start-ups. One such initiative is “Young Makers Hamburg”, which aims to foster the entrepreneurial spirit among young people. Dr Melanie Leonhard, the Senator for Economics and Innovation, has emphasized the importance of imparting the knowledge and drive to start a business at a young age. She has highlighted the initiative’s role in providing young people with the necessary tools and resources to bring their innovative ideas to fruition.
Dr Rolf Strittmatter, Managing Director of Hamburg Invest, has echoed Dr Leonhard’s sentiments by emphasizing the necessity of entrepreneurial education for the city’s future sustainability. He has pointed out Hamburg’s unique environment for aspiring business owners and its viability as the ideal location for young talents to turn their business ideas into reality.
The “Young Makers Hamburg” initiative has various goals, including establishing a central point of contact for school stakeholders, creating new modules for students, and setting up a network for entrepreneurship education. The initiative has also formed the #NextGen4Impact network in collaboration with the Körber Foundation, which has grown to over 40 members and is actively supported through partnerships and events. The collaboration between the business and education sectors presents an opportunity for Hamburg to bring about a sustainable and long-term improvement in the educational landscape.
The initiative also offers free counselling services for students, educational professionals, teachers, and companies involved in the entrepreneurship education ecosystem. Melanie Köslin, the Project Manager of Young Makers Hamburg, has expressed her delight with the positive feedback received from educational stakeholders, students, and teachers within a short span of time, highlighting the initiative’s capacity to integrate innovation, education, and participation.
In addition to introducing new programmes, “Young Makers Hamburg” aims to strengthen existing offerings in the realm of entrepreneurship education. A central website is in the works to enhance the visibility of these programmes, promoting the diversity of existing initiatives and providing stakeholders with a platform to showcase their programmes and resources effectively.
The initiative achieved a significant milestone with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Social Entrepreneurship City Hamburg, under the aegis of the Hamburg Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship e. V. This strategic partnership underscores the mutual goals in education, networking, and talent development in alignment with the Social Entrepreneurship Strategy of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
In conclusion, “Young Makers Hamburg” is a pivotal initiative championing entrepreneurial education and innovation for the youth in Hamburg. With its multifaceted approach, the initiative is poised to contribute to the city’s position as a thriving hub for budding entrepreneurs and forward-thinkers.