JAM Student Enterprise

Through the Student Enterprise Programme, the Junior Achievement Foundation Hungary (JAM) provides free services to primary and secondary school students to acquire practical financial skills and develop entrepreneurial competences, thus helping them with career orientation, while contributing to the project-based implementation of teachers' work. Spanning an entire academic year, the programme immerses participants in the practical realities of running a business. It provides a unique opportunity for students to try their hand at entrepreneurship with minimum risk, helped by their accompanying teachers and external mentors. By engaging in real business activities and managing genuine financial transactions, students gain hands-on experience that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The programme effectively contributes to the development of key competencies such as creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and responsibility.

Key Activities and Student Experience

Students in teams of 4-5 members are guided through the process of transforming ideas into viable business ventures. They are responsible for developing business plans, creating products or services, and managing all aspects of their enterprise, including financing, administration, and sales. Participants must also comply with legal and administrative requirements, such as issuing receipts and adhering to regulations, mirroring real-world entrepreneurial responsibilities. The journey culminates in opportunities to compete in national and international competitions, such as Christmas and Spring Fairs and the National Student Business Competition, further motivating students and recognising their achievements.

Program Features and Pedagogical Principles

The programme is based on project-based, experiential and challenge-based learning, where students learn by doing, reflecting, and iterating. A distinguishing feature is its legal framework, which enables students to conduct actual financial operations without the usual tax and administrative burdens. This authenticity is supported by agreements with relevant authorities, ensuring that students can safely experience entrepreneurship. The programme is inclusive, targeting both secondary and upper primary students, and is supported by teachers and external mentors who provide guidance throughout the process. It also offers resources for teachers, including games and exercises that promote entrepreneurial thinking and financial culture.

Methodology and Structure

The programme is structured to follow the natural lifecycle of a business, from ideation and planning to execution and evaluation. Students develop their ideas into a real business plan, issue real receipts, and summarise their achievements in reports, for which JAM provides the required documents, requesting only a one-off registration fee of HUF 2000. Each team is responsible for securing initial funding, managing profits, and making strategic decisions about reinvestment or distribution. Students to take on various roles such as organiser, planner, presenter, and decision-maker. The program minimises risk while maximising learning outcomes by providing a controlled environment and continuous support. Assessment is both formative and summative, with students receiving feedback from mentors.