The REWIND project aims to support and boost the revival of SME through the acquisition process by employees for continuing the activity under the cooperative model, by supporting a favourable ecosystem. The approach and tools provided by REWIND are designed for the purpose of meeting the needs of different target groups: VET professionals (trainers, teachers, researchers, consultants, coaches, administrators involved in supporting entrepreneurship), employees and learners, and other stakeholders.
Project target groups
The project is addressed to the following groups:
- VET professionals: trainers, teachers, researchers, consultants, coaches, administrators involved in supporting entrepreneurship
- Employees and learners: whether university students, from initial or continuing education or even low skilled who are interested in the idea of starting a business)
- Other stakeholders: decision makers, social partners, professionals and employers, chambers of commerce, etc
The REWIND project kick-off meeting took place on April 24th in Marseille. Key discussions included the preliminary work and next steps for training plans, the wireframe and development strategy for the eLearning platform, clarification of tasks for the portal, and actions for dissemination and project management.
The transnational staff training activity (LTTA) in Rome, May 2024, focused on business continuity, job retention, and corporate social responsibility, including gender equality and sustainability. Participants strengthened their knowledge of Workers Buy-Out (WBO) and the cooperative model through Italian case studies and stakeholder testimonials. A key highlight was a study visit to Fenix Pharma, an Italian cooperative that successfully transitioned from a failing multinational to a thriving employee-owned business. The training also covered building digital skills for creating online courses, improving the interactive portal, and sharing content to support learners.
Final Event
The final European REWIND Seminar taking place in Brussels on 8th of April 2025, it will bring together stakeholders to discuss and evaluate the REWIND project outcomes. It aims to foster collaboration, promote sustainable business practices, and drive innovative solutions for Europe’s economic landscape. Key objectives include:
- Showcasing Pedagogical Approaches: Insights into strategies for enhancing skills and promoting cooperative models.
- Demonstrating Impact: Highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons from the project’s experimental phases.
- Promoting Exploitation of Results: Encouraging widespread adoption of cooperative business models across Europe.
- Facilitating Political Debate: Presenting policy recommendations to support social enterprises and employee-led business acquisitions.
Participants will include project consortium members, VET professionals, business leaders, European institutions (e.g., DG Employment, EESC), social partners, and those involved in local training and experimentation activities.
To get to the European economic and social committee: How to get to the EESC | EESC