This autumn, ten students and recent graduates took part in a two-month internship programme organised by Innooctava, with the support of VILNIUS TECH “LinkMenų fabrikas”, which coordinated the selection and preparation of participants. The internship was part of the Digital Response to Unemployment Problems in Western Balkans (DRUPWB) project, funded by the European Union, and focused on empowering young people with practical experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative industries.

The internships took place in Vilnius from August to September 2025, engaging participants aged 18–26 who were eager to explore digital innovation, project management, and business development. Most interns were at the beginning of their professional journey, seeking to bridge academic knowledge with real-world experience.

Learning through Action

Throughout the internship, participants worked on Innooctava’s ongoing creative and innovation projects, developing entrepreneurial competencies and digital skills. Their work included market research, content creation, business model development, and collaboration with SMEs from the creative, technology, and consulting sectors, such as the Innovation Agency, MB Luckris, MB Baltic Automation, and Aeroservisas UAB.

The learning process was guided by three mentors from the Innooctava team and relied on practical, action-based learning, teamwork, and peer-to-peer sessions. Interns also used modern digital tools such as Trello, Miro, Canva, and ChatGPT for project planning and communication.

Transformative Experience

Participants described the internship as a transformative step toward understanding the business environment and developing entrepreneurial mindsets. Many highlighted how the programme helped them gain confidence, improve teamwork skills, and apply creativity to real-world challenges.

“This internship was my first real glimpse into the world of creative entrepreneurship. I realized that I wanted to continue developing and creating my own ideas,” shared one participant.

Results and Impact

All participants successfully completed the internship and acquired essential skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, communication, and digital tools. Many expressed an interest in continuing their training in these areas, with some planning to launch their own small businesses or join startup programmes.

The internship also reaffirmed the importance of connecting educational institutions with local SMEs to create sustainable pathways for youth employment and innovation.