50+ ENTREPRENEURSHIP
PLATFORM
CREATING AN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT
IN EUROPE
50+ ENTREPRENEURSHIP PLATFORM
50+
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
PLATFORM
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE
50+ ENTREPRENEURSHIP
PLATFORM EUROPE
EU POLICY ON
50+ ENTREPRENEURSHIP
BOOSTING EUROPE’S
SOCIAL-ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Michael Meissner, Amway Europe
A
lthough Europe is home to some of the world’s
most vibrant companies, Europeans are, in comparison to
other parts of the world, reluctant entrepreneurs.[1] Boosting
entrepreneurship can play a major role in kick-starting
economies, transforming communities, helping people take
control of their lives and create opportunities for themselves
and others. We believe that entrepreneurship in Europe is
more important than ever and our goal is to help Europe grow
a new generation of entrepreneurs, focusing particularly on
the 50+ group.
Heinz K. Becker, MEP
E
urope is undergoing significant demographic
changes and President Juncker’s European Commission as
well as the European Parliament bear the responsibility to
ensure that the impact of ageing is appropriately taken into
account in our political work to create a prosperous future
for all generations. It is therefore more important than ever
to have a healthy debate on how the 50+ demographic group
can contribute to Europe’s social-economic development
and help shape EU policies that harness this potential.
This is why we have come together and created the
50+Entrepreneurship Platform Europe that aims to ensure
policy makers understand, appreciate and encourage the
important contribution that 50+ entrepreneurship can
make to Europe’s economy and society. Harnessing the
entrepreneurial potential of this increasingly important
group will provide longstanding benefits for Europe’s
economy and help Europe respond to many of the
employment and societal challenges that we face as a
result of ongoing demographic and workplace trends.
It is extremely beneficial for all of us to develop more
50+ entrepreneurship as a way to cut unemployment among
older workers, but also as a source of inspiration and new
beginnings for over-50s. It can also be a formidable way to
build ties with younger entrepreneurs and share knowledge
and insight.
To facilitate information exchange, we are also launching
the 50+ EPE website where you can find the latest reports,
studies, policy initiatives, best practices and practical
information on business creation for would be entrepreneurs.
In my capacity as an elected Member of the European
Parliament and Vice Chair of the Parliament’s Intergroup
on Active ageing, Intergenerational solidarity and Family
policies, I salute the 50+ Entrepreneurship Platform Europe
initiative and offer my full support. More can and should be
achieved to ensure that the young and older generations
lead socially and economically active lives that bring benefits
to themselves, their communities and Europe.
We welcome support from other like-minded politicians,
corporates, organizations representing 50+ demographic
groups, NGOs, think tanks, academics, international
organizations and the media as together we can achieve
more.
[1] Amway Global Entrepreneurship Report 2014
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50+ ENTREPRENEURSHIP PLATFORM
50+ ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
A PERSPECTIVE FROM
WESTERN EUROPE
‘SENIOR’
ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
A PERSPECTIVE FROM
EASTERN EUROPE
THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORS
AND ROLE MODELS
THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION
AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS
David Pugh, PRIME Cymru
Assoc. Prof. Ing. Anna Pilkova, Comenius University in
Bratislava
I
n Wales, it’s apparent that there is an urgent need
for policies to improve the job prospects for the 50+, given
that a third of people aged 50-64 are not working and only
9% of the 65+ are in employment. Furthermore, the 50+
demographic is five times less likely to secure traditional
employment than a person in the 16-24 age group. This
means that many 50+ citizens are surviving on very limited
means often leading to poverty in retirement. It also means
that society as a whole does not benefit from the great
wealth of skills and experience which older people possess.
‘S
enior’ entrepreneurship represents a challenge
in Central and Eastern European countries (CEE), where
levels of entrepreneurial activity of people aged 55-64
years remain very low compared to Western Europe. [2]
The percentage of ‘seniors’ involved in an already wellestablished entrepreneurial activity is, on average, also
notably lower for CEE countries. The picture for Slovakia is
particularly grim, given that ‘senior’ entrepreneurship has
the lowest rates in Europe and definitely the lowest in the
region. The 55-64 group has also the highest percentage of
the long term unemployed in the country.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales set up PRIME
Cymru in the UK to provide practical support to the 50+
group who want to become and remain economically active.
Self-employment is one of the options that can give the
50+ flexibility and provide valuable income. PRIME Cymru
has helped over 10,000 people across Wales to set-up
in business, retrain, find employment or become active
community volunteers since we started in 2001. We take
pride in the 380 mentors and the ongoing support we
provide to the 50+ demographic.
The low entrepreneurship activity in the region is
attributed to different and in many cases underdeveloped
formal and informal institutions, due to the communist
past. In addition, social and cultural norms have a strong
impact on seniors’ decisions to embrace entrepreneurship.
Research indicates that in general, with increasing age
an individual’s likelihood to pursue entrepreneurship
opportunities decreases, irrespective of the country of
origin.
Helping the 50+ should be a joint responsibility across
Europe - governments, corporates, NGOs, individuals should
all come together to create a support system for would be
entrepreneurs, through mentorship programs, education
and training opportunities, building up their self-confidence
and guiding them through the entire business creation
process.
At the same time research from various countries
confirms that well designed entrepreneurial support
programs lead to higher involvement of seniors in
entrepreneurial activity. Education and support mechanisms
remain important drivers of entrepreneurship.
[2] Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2013 (GEM)
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MARKET LABOUR
TRANSFORMATION
50+ FEMALE
ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
HOW COMPANIES ARE BOOSTING
INTRAPRENEURSHIP
AN UNTAPPED POTENTIAL
Sirpa Pietikäinen, MEP
Alessandro Cenderello, Ernst & Young
E
ntrepreneurs are the backbone of economic growth:
they provide a source of income for themselves, create
employment for others, and create new and innovative
products and services.
The recent demographic shift and youth unemployment
problem, with roughly 5 million young European currently
looking for a job, are creating new and urgent challenges for
all age groups. As we move into the future, entrepreneurs
will become even more crucial to the growth and prosperity
of our economies.
As such, entrepreneurial thinking is also crucial for
companies, of any size, that wish to stay competitive within
markets. For this reason, companies must actively encourage
and cultivate innovation through “intrapreneurship” –
facilitating entrepreneurial thinking within the company.
This can most readily be accomplished by assembling a
diverse workforce, as diversity leads to greater creativity, and
creativity leads to innovation. Companies that successfully
promote these ideals will gain the upper hand in their
industries and help foster growth and prosperity within their
economies.”
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0+ women with wit, insight and experience are a key
source for the European entrepreneurship. As women gain
more experience, their capacity increases manifold, which
makes them the driving force of successful entrepreneurship.
We need to recognize the potential and skills of 50+ women
better in order to have a complete picture of entrepreneurship
and the added value that they bring to our economies.
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP
SOCIETAL CHALLENGE/SITUATION
+15%
+50
+50
2005
2015
Over the last decade, the over-50 group
has grown by nearly 15%. 1
+50
By 2020 a third of the working-age
population in Europe will be over 50.
+50
+50
+50
+50
+50
+50
+50
+50
+50
+50
AGER reveals only 6% of the 50+ is
SELF-EMPLOYED
The over-50 group now face a major employment challenge in Europe.
50+ EUROPEAN PLATFORM EUROPE IN ACTION
PROVIDING SOLUTIONS BY HARNESSING THE POTENTIAL OF 50+
50+
Act as a thought leader in promoting the
importance of 50+ entrepreneurship at
EU level, through workshops, etc.
50+ Entrepreneurship Platform
www.50plus-europe.eu
INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETAL BENEFITS:
Achieve Independence from an employer
Empowerment by helping people create more
opportunities for themselves
Help the 50+ remain economically active, contribute
to economic growth and facilitate innovation
Prevent loss of valuable skills and facilitate their
transfer to newer generations
1 EUROSTAT
2 AGER 2014
Infographic based on the following study: 2014 AGER – July 2014
Sample 43,902 people in 38 countries
http://www.amwayentrepreneurshipreport.com/home
6%
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50+ ENTREPRENEURSHIP PLATFORM
CROSS-GENERATIONAL COLLABORATION
HOW OLD AND YOUNG CAN LEARN FROM EACH OTHER
Luca Selva, ThinkYoung
U
nderstandably, youth unemployment has long
dominated the EU political agenda given that average
unemployment rates for youth are currently at 20.9%, double
the EU-average, with youth unemployment figures in some
member states higher than 50%.[3] Older citizens suffer
from unemployment too, due to age-related discrimination,
possible skills-mismatch, lack of entrepreneurship
education, low retention rate within a company etc.
Skills transfer between generations is very important given
that in 2012, one in three European employees were either
over- or under-qualified for their jobs.[4] Also we must not
forget that today’s youth may well be the older entrepreneurs
of the future.
This is why ThinkYoung has joined the
50+Entrepreneurship Platform Europe - to emphasize
the importance of intergenerational exchange in the field
of entrepreneurship and help make it part of European
mainstream thinking.
Entrepreneurship as a route to remaining economically
active must be priority for both young and old. After all,
the 50+ are today’s young people, so it is important we
understand and address their challenges in a timely matter.
50+ entrepreneurship can also be a source for positive
change in youth unemployment as there is tremendous
knowledge transfer that can occur between the two age
groups. The mentoring skills of older entrepreneurs can be
particularly useful in training young staff and vice versa.
[3] European Parliament Report “Creating a competitive EU labour market
for the 21st century: matching skills and qualifications with demand and job
opportunities, as a way to recover from the crisis’ by Martina Dlabajová (2015)
[4] European Commission, Employment and Social Developments in Europe.
(2013)
MEMBERS
Anne
GustafssonPesonen
Prof. Teemu
Kautonen
Michael Meissner
SUPPORTERS
Nicola Templeton
Assoc. Prof. Ing.
Anna Pilkova
Philippe Vanrie
Jacques Spelkens
Prof. Mark Hart
Alessandro
Cenderello
Silvia Roa
David Pugh
Prof. Olivier
Witmeur
Luca Selva
Heinz K. Becker
MEP
Pablo Zalba
Bidegain
MEP
Dr. Syed Kamall
MEP
Eduard Kukan
MEP
Sirpa Pietikainen
MEP
Dr. Paul Ruebig
MEP
Ing. Ivan Štefanec
MBA, PhD
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Lambert van Nistelrooij
MEP
CALL TO ACTION
‘The European Commission acknowledges that “entrepreneurship is a powerful driver of economic growth and job creation” and
that the 50+ demographic group represents a ‘valuable resource’ in this area. However, despite the fact that one third of the
working population will be over 50 years of age by 2020, and in spite of their wealth of experience, knowledge and skills, selfemployment rates for this demographic group remain quite low. It is therefore very important that action is taken to create an
entrepreneurship-friendly eco-system that harnesses the potential of 50+ entrepreneurs.‘
50+EPE is a group of like-minded organizations, companies, NGOs and academics coming together to ensure the potential of the
50+ entrepreneurs is fully recognized and supported by EU policy. To achieve this goal, 50+EPE calls on the European Union to
put forward policies and proposals that:
1
Fully recognize the immense social-economic Encourage the development of formal and informal
contribution that the 50+ group brings to Europe and entrepreneurial educational programs tailored to
the labor market challenges it faces
address the 50+ group’s unique needs and strengths
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2
Promote and support 50+ entrepreneurship as a Support intergenerational learning and mentoring
viable career option with benefits for individuals, between young and older entrepreneurs
economies and society
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3
Allow the 50+ to make full use of traditional and
innovative funding sources while avoiding age-related
discrimination and improve access to information on
the all funding options
Help create a 50+ entrepreneurship friendly culture with
support from the private and public sectors, civil society
and academia by promoting role models and sharing best
practice
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4
Align tax with pension policies to ensure Set up “one-stop-shops’ for 50+ entrepreneurs to bring
entrepreneurial activity does not undermine pension together all business support services - mentoring,
prospects for 50+ entrepreneurs
facilitation and advice as per the specific needs of the
50+ group
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5
Minimize or eliminate red tape throughout the entire Commission a comparative study of the situation for
process of business creation for entrepreneurs of all 50+ business in the EU, identify their main obstacles
age groups
and provide policy recommendations on how best to
overcome them
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6
Simplify and reduce the tax burden for setting up and Call on Member States to build knowledge,
running a business especially during its early phases understanding and support for +50 entrepreneurship
at national level
13
7
Reduce discharge time after bankruptcy and facilitate
funding for second/third time entrepreneurs of all
age groups
N.B. The Platform supports a broad definition of entrepreneurship: one that recognizes entrepreneurship as the willingness to
develop, organise and pursue a business venture or initiative in order to create economic value or meet societal needs. Anyone
who decides to work for him/her self, regardless of the level of risk-taking, may be considered an entrepreneur.
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If you would like to support the Platform or inquire about
membership please contact:
Platform Secretariat
www.50plus-europe.eu
Phone: + 32 2 515 0016
Email: info@50plus-europe.eu
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