Document details

Summary

Aims

The Encouraging Dynamic Global Entrepreneurs (EDGE) programme is a transnational project managed by Scottish Enterprise (SE), the aim of which is to enhance growth in Scottish businesses whilst encouraging and developing the entrepreneurial skills and confidence of participating students and school pupils. Participants undertake research projects for Scottish businesses which will aid business growth aspirations, according to a company brief, and present a final consultancy report to the business. The aim of the evaluation was to undertake a strategic review of the EDGE programme.

Methods

The research involved an inception meeting, a review of relevant documentation, consultations with relevant stakeholders and a review of the current business model.

Findings

The following main conclusions were made: EDGE has a strong strategic fit within SE and the Scottish Government, and this is likely to strengthen in the future; EDGE adheres to its equal opportunities policy; and previous evaluations of EDGE, which focused on the impact of the programme, identified positive quantitative and qualitative impacts from the programme for both participating companies and students.

Recommendations

It was recommended that SE continue to deliver the EDGE programme, but with some changes to the delivery model, scale, time spent by students working on projects, account management, funding, approach to evaluation, the name of the programme itself, the role of partner organisations, and the geographical reach of the programme.

Record metadata

Documents	Full report (412 KB, doc)
Consultant	EKOS Limited
Published year	2008
Pages	32
Document Type	Evaluation
Theme/Sector	Enterprise, Support to existing/growth businesses, Skills Development, Labour Market and Skills