Social entrepreneurship of the New Generation in the New Economy

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to reconstruct the knowledge and approach of young people to the issue of social entrepreneurship as an area of activity important for shaping key competences in the New Economy. The additional aim of the paper is to describe the feeling of readiness of young people to act as an agent, both in relation to society and this economy. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve this goal, a diagnostic study was carried out (based on the so-called task catalogue) with a group of over 500 students studying at vocational schools, high schools and technical colleges in Greater Poland, as well as 3 workshops with students representing particular types of schools. Findings: The research established that students are aware of the possibility of participation in the social world through the broadly understood social entrepreneurship and activity in the third sector. It was also established that they are very aware of the possibilities and the need for agency in this area. The discussed resources of students translate into competences necessary in the New Economy. Research limitations/implications: Contemporary research with adolescents requires taking into account a number of factors that may affect their course. In more extensive research, these issues will certainly be worth considering already at the stage of conceptualization of the research and construction of research tools. Practical implications: Social entrepreneurship of young people is constantly transforming and although its subject is changing (from activities related to shared management to activities related to social solidarity and civic attitudes), it invariably refers to joint activities on the border of economic and social reality. The approach of young people to the implementation of socially useful tasks is also changing. Young people see them as an opportunity both to solve social problems and to meet the challenges related to changes in the postmodern world. Social implications: The competences gained by young people make them more aware and engaged citizens, but also more aware and responsible future participants of the New Economy. Originality/value: The paper reconstructs the resources, approach and attitudes of young people towards the possibilities of agency offered by social entrepreneurship. The collected knowledge was analysed on the basis of the competence challenges posed by the New Economy for the New Generation project.