Project duration: 36 months (November 2008 – June 2012)

Source of funding: European Social Fund

Partners: National School of Political and Administrative Studies (SNSPA)

National Association of Romanian Exporters and Importers (ANEIR)

European Management School (ESCP-EAP) London

CADI implemented the project European Entrepreneurs from November 2008 to June 2012 with funding from the European Social Fund through the Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007 – 2013, Priority Axis 3 „Increasing adaptability of workers and enterprises”, Key Area 3.1 „Promoting entrepreneurial culture”.

Among the project activities, we count:

• 10-DAY-MBA Courses

• Introductory courses in economics and management

• Exchanges between Romanian Firms and EU firms

• Consulting for and analysis of business plan

• Business plan monthly contest

The project aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial abilities of managers of small and medium sized enterprises and of persons willing to start new businesses through a program of entrepreneurial and managerial education and experience sharing in what regards planning and managing a business or identification of opportunities. The attained target group of beneficiaries of our services was off around 1200 managers and potential entrepreneurs.

The 10-Day-MBA

Targeted at managers and entrepreneurs, the 10-Day-MBA curricula covered all main business disciplines:

Day 1 – Marketing (including advertising, promoting products, public relations)

Day 2 – Business Ethics (Environment, CSR)

Day 3 – Organizational Behaviour

Day 4 – Accounting and Economics

Day 5 – Leadership and Team Building

Day 6 – Quantitative Analysis and Finance

Day 7 – Operations (Project Management and Quality Control)

Day 8 – Negotiation

Day 9 – Strategy and Risk Assessment

Day 10 – Mini-Courses (Research, Public Presentations, International A airs)

Introductory courses in economics and management

Targeted at those entrepreneurs or employees who lack prior knowledge of business management, these courses provide a simple and accessible introduction to topics such as markets, contracts, financial operations, accounting and marketing. Among the topics covered by this course are the following: types of organizations, methods for selecting projects, S.W.O.T analyses; Operations Management, Projects Management, Quality Management, Risk Assessment, Human Resources Management, Tools for entrepreneurs – for sales (CRM), for Planning (ERP); Financial Management: Types of responses for financial input, Financial management on long and short term, cash flows, funding sources for small medium sized firms; Marketing: marketing of financial services, marketing mix.

Exchanges (experience sharing)

Several groups of Romanian managers have made work-related trips in firms from EU countries with a view to foster business partnerships. Conversely, foreign managers from EU countries have been invited by Romanian firms and business associations to visit Romania in order to provide assistance in developing domestic corresponding businesses.

Business plan contest

Each month of the project, a business plan contest was organized. The best business plans have been rewarded with services of legal and business consulting.

Success stories

The project also published a book titled Entrepreneurship in Romania. A Collection of Success Stories. The material identified the most relevant local economic conditions (the firms’ operating environment), provided successful business examples and elaborated practical guidelines for entrepreneurs.