JTP Groundwork: Green business incubator set to boost youth entrepreneurship in Gorj, Romania

Promoting entrepreneurship and green skills in Gorj

Gorj County, located in southwest Romania, is undergoing a significant economic transformation as it invests more into renewable energy and limits its dependence on coal. This shift is reflected in its TJTP, a strategic framework designed to address the economic, social and environmental challenges associated with moving away from coal.

The region’s TJTP emphasises investments in green energy production, support for small and medium-sized enterprises and workforce reskilling. Priority initiatives include establishing business incubators and accelerators, fostering technology transfer, and encouraging female and youth entrepreneurship to stimulate local economic growth.

Given this context, establishing a green business incubator in the region with support from JTP Groundwork will help to foster the green skills needed to develop renewable energy projects, engage vulnerable groups – such as youth and women – and create an enabling environment for more investments, stimulating economic growth.

Agreement on the need for a supportive ecosystem

The event, held at Constantin Brâncuşi University in Târgu Jiu, brought together approximately 60 stakeholders, including representatives from the European Commission, local government, academia, civil society, and the business community.

The workshop focused on the development of a green business incubator aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs to create sustainable businesses. The initiative, a collaboration between Constantin Brâncuşi University and the Be Teen Association, will provide critical support to young people through training, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Participants emphasised the importance of addressing existing challenges, including navigating complex regulations and securing funding. Discussions included exploring various funding streams, including the JTF, and stressed the need for a supportive ecosystem that fosters innovation and collaboration. Mayors from across Gorj County expressed strong interest in supporting this initiative.

The event also highlighted the findings of stakeholder consultations with over 150 participants, revealing a strong demand for mentorship, access to funding and workspaces, and community support for young entrepreneurs. The perspectives of young people were also central to the discussions.

Workshop brings valuable insights, including several recommendations

The workshop generated valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for fostering green entrepreneurship in Gorj County. The lessons learned and recommended actions to guide the development of the green business incubator included:

• Collaboration and streamlining at the regional level: There are several smaller initiatives to support entrepreneurship currently underway, but there is a need to streamline in order to scale up the efforts to set up an incubator. Public-private partnerships could be a way of advancing the idea of the incubator. A broader regional alliance between public administrations and other interested stakeholders could also be discussed.
• Leverage available expertise: Through its experience in setting up innovation hubs and offering curricula related to entrepreneurship, the university can provide expertise, mentorship and guidance to young entrepreneurs and businesses.
• The incubator should be seen as an ecosystem: The incubator should act as integrated hub for information, support and access to expert knowledge, in other words forming an ecosystem around its services.
• Innovation takes many forms – the need for knowledge and mentorship: Innovation can manifest itself in various ways, whether through new products, services or business models. The discussions highlighted support needs for both startups and established businesses. Providing targeted knowledge, mentorship and guidance to young entrepreneurs will enable them to drive their business ideas forward.
• Youth consultation is crucial: The consultations provided insights into the challenges and opportunities young entrepreneurs face, ensuring that the future setup of the incubator is designed to address their actual needs.

Moving forward: Turning plans into action

Following the workshop, an online stakeholder meeting will be held to define the next concrete steps for the project. A comprehensive plan for the green business incubator will be developed, detailing its structure, design, key stakeholders, and the actions needed to bring the concept to life.

In parallel, the beneficiaries are in discussions to finalise a memorandum of understanding among the main stakeholders, establishing a shared vision to advance the project.

To learn more about JTP Groundwork and the outputs produced during this technical assistance, visit our website. If you are interested in receiving support, subscribe to our newsletter for news on the next call for expressions of interest in 2025.