Open Future

Open Future (Budúcnosť INAK) is an informal entrepreneurial education program implemented in Slovakia for students aged 11–15, particularly in grades 4–8 of primary school. It is linked to subjects such as Informatics, Financial Literacy, Civic Education, Ethics, and Mathematics. The main objective is to strengthen entrepreneurial and digital skills, teamwork, and problem-solving by guiding students in the creation of social projects with real community impact. The program aims to develop children’s creativity, perseverance, and critical thinking, while empowering them to become active changemakers in their surroundings.

Key activities and Student Experience

The central activity of the program is the development of social innovation projects addressing community needs. Students work in teams, supported by expert mentors, and engage in project-based learning, design thinking, and problem-solving tasks. Their experience is enriched by experiential learning activities, brainstorming, workshops, debates, and company visits. By transforming ideas into solutions, students develop entrepreneurial competences such as spotting opportunities, creativity, valuing ideas, mobilizing resources, financial literacy, planning, and managing projects. They also enhance 21st-century skills including teamwork, digital literacy, communication, perseverance, and leadership, while learning to cope with uncertainty and risk.

Program Features and Principles

The program emphasizes soft skills, digital competence, and social responsibility. Its uniqueness lies in combining entrepreneurial education with community-oriented innovation, ensuring that even primary school students can see themselves as agents of change. The practice fosters openness, empathy, and collaboration, while highlighting the value of creativity and resilience. By connecting students with experts and top Slovak companies, the program grounds learning in real-world contexts and promotes ethical and sustainable thinking.

Methodology and Structure

Open Future is structured as a long-term program with regular team meetings and project phases that guide students from idea development to implementation. The methodology includes project-based learning, experiential learning, design thinking, problem-based learning, and workshops. Students are encouraged to brainstorm, debate, and test solutions, while also visiting companies and engaging in guided practice with mentors. Online platforms and digital tools support coordination, communication, and presentation of outputs.

Expected Outcomes and Value

Students gain entrepreneurial mindset, confidence, creativity, and the ability to develop and implement solutions with social impact. They strengthen their problem-solving capacity, digital skills, perseverance, and teamwork while learning to make responsible decisions. For teachers, Open Future provides a structured and inspiring educational practice enriched with expert guidance, real-world connections, and engaging resources. The program demonstrates how entrepreneurial education can be adapted to children’s needs, preparing them for future personal development, career choices, and active participation in society.