The four main General objectives of this project are
The project will carry out a Literature analysis taking into account: 1. impact skills taxonomy (Skills Framework); 2. most frequently used methods and techniques for business impact assessment.
IMPACT ACADEMY has the main objective to offer a free, multilingual, high level education and training on the subject of the Impact Economy. It is addressed to university students who desire to acquire expertise about the impact skills needed to lead an entrepreneurship aware of its environmental and social responsibilities.
he SDG Impact Assessment Tool will be a free, online resource for entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs, companies, entrepreneurs to self-assess the extent to which their project entrepreneurship idea creates a positive impact on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)..
The current economic system is largely geared towards increasing economic growth at the expense of increasing social inequality and environmental degradation. Yet companies can have a positive impact on sustainable development goals. The role of Education is to facilitate these paradigm shifts, e.g. to support young people and students to acquire new skills, in our case Skills about the Impact economy. Indeed the impact economy model is well-positioned to find an appropriate balance across all three pillars: economic, social and environmental.
Check out the courses and toolkits
Check out the training courses based on the subject of Impact Skills and Impact Economy
Learn more about the Impact Academy Glossary
The crises of the last decades, and the challenge posed by the global climate change, made the business managers aware that the only way to prevent profit from being something ephemeral is to coordinate economical, social and environmental dimensions in a single long term corporate mission.
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On 16 and 17 October 2025, the Aix-Marseille University Institute of Technology hosted the closing meeting of IMPACT ACADEMY, European project co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme. This project, coordinated by the Department of Business and Administration Management in Aix-en-Provence, supported by the International Relations Department of Aix-Marseille University, and led for two years by a consortium of universities and impact entrepreneurship stakeholders, aims to promote inclusive, sustainable entrepreneurship in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A European project for a different approach to entrepreneurship: As the project reaches its completion, IMPACT ACADEMY will continue to thrive, thanks to its range of innovative educational resources that are accessible to all: a self-assessment tool to measure the social, environmental and ethical dimensions of projects (alignment with the SDGs); modular online training, consisting of 13 thematic modules (sustainable financing, circular economy, governance, impactful storytelling, etc.); a multilingual and inclusive OER platform, available in six languages and incorporating enhanced accessibility options. These freely accessible resources are intended for teachers and students in higher education as well as entrepreneurs and trainers in the socio-economic world. They enable everyone to integrate the principles of sustainability and positive impact into their practices in a tangible way. Two days of encounters, discussions and prospects To mark the end of the project, IMPACT ACADEMY partners gathered at the Aix-Marseille University Institute of Technology for two days of discussions and reflection. The first day began with a coordination meeting between partners, devoted to sharing experiences, presenting results and identifying new possibilities for collaboration. In the afternoon, a Master Class reserved for partners and colleagues from Aix-Marseille University provided an opportunity to present the concrete achievements of the project, including the educational resources developed and how to use them in professional practice. The connected solidarity grocery store developed at the IUT is an example of learning by doing and social innovation where the project's resources can be put into application. The day continued with the Impact Academy Conversations, two round tables open to the public on the theme: “Learning and acting to transform: how the impact economy can shape the Europe of tomorrow”. By bringing together around a hundred teachers, students, public stakeholders and innovative entrepreneurs, these talks provided an opportunity to exchange views and explore the means for making the impact economy a real catalyst for European transformation. “From knowledge to action” Speakers: Aurélie Biancarelli, Deputy Mayor of Marseille in charge of Research and Higher Education Angélique Vuilmet, Senior Lecturer in Management Sciences at the IUT amU, head of pedagogy for the Impact Academy project Samuel Mercier, Professor of Management Sciences at IAE Dijon, specializing in corporate social responsibility and ethics Benjamin Denjean, Entrepreneur, innovator, co-founder of Paysan Marin and Paysan Urbain “Building an impactful Europe together” Speakers: Paul Bichat, Head of International and Mediterranean Outreach, Aix-Marseille Provence Métropole Claire Pétréault, Founder and Content Creator, Les Pépites Vertes Hortense Taillefait, European Project Manager, Mission Europe for Research Florent Potart, Treasurer, Agoraé Solidarity Grocery store Lionel Nicod, Director of the Aix-Marseille University Institute of Technology, Scientific and Technical Leader of the Impact Academy project A convivial cocktail reception brought the inspiring day to a close, giving participants the opportunity to continue discussions and networking. The following day, the coordination meeting continued in the form of a Partner Lab with consortium members to take stock of the project and discuss future prospects. This final exchange confirmed the collective desire to continue the positive momentum generated by IMPACT ACADEMY, to promote a more inclusive and sustainable European entrepreneurship, mindful of social and environmental issues. For more information: Visit: www.impactacademyproject.eu Contact: erasmus-impactacademy@univ-amu.fr About IMPACT ACADEMY IMPACT ACADEMY is a two-year Erasmus+ project involving partners from France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Turkey, and North Macedonia. It focuses on embedding social impact and sustainability into entrepreneurship education in higher education through the development of tools, training materials, and open learning resources.
The IMPACT ACADEMY consortium is glad to announce that its training programme on impact entrepreneurship is now fully available in six languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, and Macedonian. This expanded access marks a key milestone in making entrepreneurship education more inclusive, multilingual, and accessible across Europe. The training is open to all and designed to help learners explore the intersection between business, sustainability, and social impact regardless of their background, language, or learning needs. Inclusivity is a core value of the IMPACT ACADEMY project, and the training materials reflect this throughout. Key accessibility features include: Full audio versions of all course modules in each of the six project languages, enabling access for learners who prefer or need to listen rather than read. High contrast mode on the platform interface to support learners with visual impairments. Scalable text display so users can enlarge the font for better readability, including in downloadable files (e.g. Word and PPT). User-friendly navigation and clearly structured materials to support all levels of digital literacy. While video content - including interviews and video lessons - remains in the original spoken language, automatic YouTube subtitles and translations are enabled to support full comprehension by a broader audience. The translated training materials are not only about language, they are part of a broader commitment to participatory, learner-centered education. Each module includes a user feedback form where learners can share their experience, reflections, or suggestions for improvement. The IMPACT ACADEMY partners actively monitor this input and are ready to adapt and improve the materials in response to user needs. This participatory model invites learners to shape the course itself, turning users into contributors, and turning the platform into a living, evolving learning environment. As the course continues to be used, the project partners are also preparing a set of Guidelines for Practitioners, a document aimed at supporting educators, trainers, and facilitators in embedding these materials into diverse teaching and learning contexts. Access the multilingual training and materials here: www.impactacademyproject.eu/training.php Contact: erasmus-impactacademy@univ-amu.fr About IMPACT ACADEMY IMPACT ACADEMY is a two-year Erasmus+ project involving partners from France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Turkey, and North Macedonia. It focuses on embedding social impact and sustainability into entrepreneurship education in higher education through the development of tools, training materials, and open learning resources
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As part of its mission to promote socially responsible and sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship in higher education, the IMPACT ACADEMY project has released a new Self-Assessment Tool. This open-access resource is designed to support students, educators, and early-stage entrepreneurs in evaluating how their project ideas align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It enables users to assess the potential social, environmental, and ethical dimensions of their initiatives, and to identify areas for improvement or adjustment. The Self-Assessment Tool supports users in examining how their project ideas integrate impact awareness, ethical considerations, and long-term social or environmental relevance. It does not produce a mere score or ranking, but it serves as a reflective framework that can be used in classroom settings, mentoring programmes, innovation labs, or independent study. It is particularly suitable for: • Entrepreneurship and business planning courses • Sustainability and innovation modules • Project-based learning or capstone projects • Workshops, hackathons, or incubation settings The Tool is available in multiple formats, including an interactive online version and a downloadable PDF guide. It is accompanied by practical resources such as examples, worksheets, and step-by-step instructions, making it easy to integrate into higher education and training contexts. Educators, students, and trainers can use it flexibly across disciplines and learning formats, both in formal and non-formal education settings. For more information: Visit: www.impactacademyproject.eu Contact: info@impactacademyproject.eu About IMPACT ACADEMY IMPACT ACADEMY is a two-year Erasmus+ project involving partners from France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Turkey, and North Macedonia. It focuses on embedding social impact and sustainability into entrepreneurship education in higher education through the development of tools, training materials, and open learning resources.
The IMPACT ACADEMY consortium, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, announces the release of its open-access training course on impact entrepreneurship, now available online. The course is designed to help students, educators, and aspiring entrepreneurs understand and apply principles of sustainability, ethical innovation, and social impact in entrepreneurial contexts. Developed collaboratively by partners from six countries, the course supports higher education institutions in integrating impact thinking into entrepreneurship education and offers practical resources for learners and trainers across sectors. Structure and Content of the Training Course The course is structured in independent modules, each covering key dimensions of the impact economy and entrepreneurship. Each module includes: A narrative text (Word document) A visual summary (PowerPoint) An audio version for accessibility A short video lesson featuring expert insights This modular approach allows flexible integration into higher education curricula, and non-formal learning contexts. The modules available are: Impact Financing Instruments: Sustainability bonds Social impact and crowdfunding Branding and Impact Storytelling Impact Education Impact Entrepreneurship Impact Economy Governance Circular Economy and Regenerative Models Leadership & Social Skills for Impact Entrepreneurs Planning a Project for Impact Business Model Canvas for Impact Projects Nudge Theory in the time of decision-making Impact Investing and Venture Capital Financing Environmental, Social and Governance and Financing To enrich the learning experience and connect theory with real-world practice, the training is accompanied by: A collection of best practices from impact-driven enterprises across Europe Browse examples » A glossary of key terms related to sustainability and responsible entrepreneurship Explore glossary » A series of interviews with entrepreneurs and experts in impact skills and innovation Watch interviews » For more information: Visit: www.impactacademyproject.eu Contact: erasmus-impactacademy@univ-amu.fr About IMPACT ACADEMY IMPACT ACADEMY is a two-year Erasmus+ project involving partners from France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Turkey, and North Macedonia. It focuses on embedding social impact and sustainability into entrepreneurship education in higher education through the development of tools, training materials, and open learning resources.
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The partners of IMPACT ACADEMY, a project in the field of Higher Education co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, are proud to announce the successful completion of Work Package 2 (WP2). As part of its ongoing efforts to improve professional education and skills in impact evaluation, IMPACT ACADEMY has developed the Impact Skills Framework, an innovative result that offers a strategic approach to mapping the key competences required in this field. The framework is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals involved in impact assessments across various sectors, ensuring that they are equipped to meet the challenges of sustainable development KEY ACHIEVEMENTS OF WORKPACKAGE 2 • Competence Mapping A thorough examination of the skills needed in impact assessment, taking into account the main impact evaluation methods currently used by social enterprises. A detailed overview of the latter is available on the IMPACT ACADEMY Platform that allows university students and other users to delve deep into these methods. • Impact Skills Framework The core achievement of WP2, this framework provides a structured, strategic approach to identify and map the competences needed for effective impact evaluation. It is based on a deep understanding of impact assessment methods and tools and incorporates both specific skills and transversal competencies that are essential for success in this field. The Framework is divided into four main competency areas: 1. Human and Social Skills 2. Civic Competences 3. Statistical Skills 4. Impact Evaluation Skills Each competency area is broken down into four levels of capacity—ranging from Basic to Expert allowing individuals to progressively develop their skills and advance in their professional journey. This structured progression ensures that professionals not only gain foundational knowledge but also acquire advanced skills to drive innovation and inspire change in the field of impact evaluation. The framework is now available for download and further exploration at this link For more information about IMPACT ACADEMY and its achievements, visit www.impactacademyproject.eu or contact us.
The partners of IMPACT ACADEMY, an Erasmus+ co-funded project in Higher Education, gathered for a face-to-face transnational project meeting on November 29, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting opened with remarks from IHF and AMU, followed by a review of WP2 results, where partners discussed strategies to promote and increase the impact of the completed findings. This session sparked valuable conversations on disseminating results for maximum reach. The WP3.A1 OER Platform session, led by IWS, followed with an update on platform statistics, progress, and the next steps. This part of the meeting provided crucial insights into the platform’s development and its impact on the project, which was well-received by all involved. Later in the day, the WP3.A2 Training Course Development session took center stage, with each partner contributing a brief presentation of the training modules they had developed. This collaborative exercise was particularly beneficial as it allowed for joint assessments of each partner’s contributions, leading to valuable feedback and discussion on how to refine the materials. The session also explored next steps, including course adjustments, interviews, translations, and course delivery. A highlight of the meeting was the Performance & Optimisation session, which began with an ice-breaker game to foster a relaxed yet focused environment. This led into an interactive group activity where partners worked in two groups to brainstorm solutions to key topics raised in the National Agency's evaluation. The discussions focused on the effective use of the project training programme and involvement of socioeconomic stakeholders. The activity generated actionable ideas, specific targets, and communication strategies, paving the way for future optimization efforts. The WP4 and WP5 sessions, which focused on tools to assess entrepreneurial ideas and the project’s dissemination strategy, were also key moments of the day. UNISKOPJE presented the tool to assess how well entrepreneurial ideas align with the SDGs, while IHF shared updates on dissemination and valorisation efforts, including the preparation of guidelines for practitioners and policy recommendations. WP4 and WP5 sessions focused on tools for assessing entrepreneurial ideas aligned with the SDGs and updates on dissemination and valorisation efforts. WP1 Project Management involved reviewing interim report inputs to ensure data quality and completeness. The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of collaboration and alignment, with clear next steps for delivering training and valorising results. These activities are essential to ensuring the project’s long-term impact and sustainability. For more information about IMPACT ACADEMY and its progress, visit: www.impactacademyproject.eu
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The IMPACT ACADEMY Erasmus + Cooperation Partnership Project launch the online Open Education Resource Platform. IMPACT ACADEMY Platform is the main showcase of project’s results and its largest and most tangible channel for international visibility, and is available in 6 languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, MK, TR) with all of its content completely available for free, without requiring any kind of registration/identification by the user. Project website is now online at https://impactacademyproject.eu/ The current economic system is largely geared towards increasing economic growth at the expense of increasing social inequality and environmental degradation. Yet companies can have a positive impact on sustainable development goals. The role of Education is to facilitate these paradigm shifts, e.g. to support young people and students to acquire new skills, in our case Skills about the Impact economy. Indeed, the impact economy model is well-positioned to find an appropriate balance across all three pillars: economic, social and environmental. The two main General objectives of Impact Academy project are: • Building a Culture of Social Impact and Sustainability in Entrepreneurship education integrating research, experimentation, scientific knowledge into a unique and distinctive offer • Promoting the creation of a new generation of agents who are builders of a new, sustainable, fair and open world. The project officially kick-started on December 14th, 2023, with the first online transnational meeting during which partners had a great opportunity to discuss the overall project implementation schedule, define timelines and respective duties in the following months. One of the very first activities was the development, testing and implementation of the Open Educational Resources (OER) Platform. For the next two years, the Platform will host and integrate all the main achievements of the consortium; each section of the IMPACT ACADEMY Platform is a stand-alone library of its corresponding output. For further information about IMPACT ACADEMY project: https://impactacademyproject.eu/
On December 14th, 2023, Consortium joined the virtual Kick-Off Meeting of the IMPACT ACADEMY project, a ground-breaking initiative in Higher Education co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. This innovative project addresses a critical need in entrepreneurial education by focusing on the valorisation of impact skills and aims to empower small businesses to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape. Over the past decades, the importance of impact skills in building corporate resilience during crises has become evident. However, existing tools have predominantly targeted large corporations, leaving a void for emerging businesses seeking to integrate social, environmental, and economic dimensions for success. The question of how a new company can create a business plan that harmoniously incorporates these dimensions is at the core of the IMPACT ACADEMY's mission. The answer lies in the wider acquisition of Impact Skills, a crucial element often overlooked in European universities’ courses. In this framework, 6 partners representing different education systems across Europe decided to build a Consortium to address these challanges: • Aix-Marseille Université, France • DEMOSTENE Centro Studi, Italy • Institut de Haute Formation aux Politiques Communautaires (IHF) asbl, Belgium • Adnan Menderes University (ADU), Turkey • The University of Tourism and Management Skopje (UTMS), North Macedonia • Internet Web Solutions (IWS), Spain In two years of project’s implementation, partners will collaborate to innovate entrepreneurial education by: • Developing an Impact Economy Programme in Higher Education to create a new generation of young entrepreneurs capable of seizing opportunities while prioritizing societal well-being. Partners will produce, test and validate a dynamic course designed to facilitate the acquisition of Impact Skills through engaging multimedia content • Creating an Impact Skills Framework designed to equip entrepreneurs with the essential skills necessary for navigating the complex landscape of impact entrepreneurship • Developing the SDGs 2030 Assessment Tool for assessing how well an entrepreneurial idea aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals The launch of the IMPACT ACADEMY project signals a transformative step towards a more inclusive and impactful entrepreneurial education landscape, ensuring that small businesses can thrive while contributing positively to society. For more information about IMPACT ACADEMY Project, please stay tuned to impactacademyproject.eu
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Erasmus+ France / Education & Training Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Erasmus+ France / Education & Training Agency can be held responsible for them
Legal description – Creative Commons licensing: The materials published on the IMPACT ACADEMY project website are classified as Open Educational Resources' (OER) and can be freely (without permission of their creators): downloaded, used, reused, copied, adapted, and shared by users, with information about the source of their origin.
