Abstract:

The following paper addresses the relevant role design can play in promoting social innovation and sustainable society at the economic, environmental, and social levels. The paper analyses different entrepreneurship education approaches using design to strengthen the competencies of women in the field of creative and cultural entrepreneurship. With this purpose, three European case studies, in which the researcher has been actively involved, were taken into consideration, and analysed as examples to build knowledge and validate a model of entrepreneurship education to support women creative entrepreneurs: the CREATION Project “Cultural and Arts Entrepreneurship in Adult Education coordinated by IADE - Universidade Europeia (ENSILIS) and funded by the Erasmus + Programme of the European Union, the Make Your Bed / MUB Collection project on sustainable fashion entrepreneurship granted by the Worth Partnership Project and Transistórias, an initiative of collaboration and social design implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation and the Faculty of Architecture of Lisbon.

The three case studies presented use diversified non-formal and informal entrepreneurship education programmes together with other activities of support such as financial grants and networking opportunities. With the example of three case studies, the paper aims to evidence the need for strengthening research in this field and support collaborative initiatives engaged in boosting sustainable social change. The paper is conducted within an ongoing PhD research, which aims to identify solutions using craftsdesign and entrepreneurship to support social innovation and the empowerment of vulnerable communities.

Keywords:

Social innovation, entrepreneurship, education, sustainability.