In order to achieve impact on the Sustainable Development Goals in an environment of mounting complexity and uncertainty, the public sector must increasingly take on an entrepreneurial and co-creative role with partners across sectors. Through the immersive learning journey of the Public Entrepreneurship Academy, the participants gain key knowledge in general management, entrepreneurship, agile co-creation, innovation and systems thinking. Simultaneously, the programme encourages participants to engage and leverage curiosity, creativity and experimentation. They learn while doing, integrating new ideas directly into their own work with the support of peers and individual coaching. They become part of a community of public entrepreneurs, collectively defining what public entrepreneurship means across diverse roles and organisations, and exploring how to take action for impact.

Developed in a collaboration between the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Competence Center for Social Innovation at the University of St.Gallen, the Public Entrepreneurship Academy empowers participants with the mindset and skills to accelerate progress on the SDGs through impact-driven private sector engagement, collaboration and entrepreneurial action. It supports them in collaborating and forming partnerships across sectors, taking entrepreneurial action in their roles, innovating and scaling for impact.

Background and Benefits

Participants will leave the PEA with:

• Understanding of how the private sector, including entrepreneurs, operate and make decisions – and some of their tools
• Understanding of the unique value they bring to their private sector partners
• Skills in human-centered design – supporting partnerships built on empathy and trust, unleashing potential for innovation
• New ideas on pathways forward in their own work through keynotes and peer exchange
• A certificate of participation from the University of St.Gallen

Apply now!

Applicants are requested to submit their written application to rachel.brooks@unisg.ch by October 30th, 2022. Participation and financing must be approved by the appropriate party and verified by the financing party’s signature prior to submission. Applicants are asked to reserve time for a 30-minute virtual interview in the week of November 14th – 18th, 2022. Accepted applicants will be notified by November 30th, 2022.