Pollinate sustainability training
SUSTAINABILITY TRAINING FOR EDUCATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTERS
BY AN EDUCATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTRE
The Pollinate Sustainability Training Programme is tailored to equip entrepreneurship centre staff with essential skills to navigate the growing importance of sustainability in business.
By upskilling the employees who support entrepreneurs on a daily basis, we improve the level of sustainability literacy among these entrepreneurs, enabling them to have an increasingly positive impact on society. Entrepreneurs will not only drive greater positive impact but also be better equipped to meet the increasing demands of customers, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders. This is not merely a strategy to gain a competitive edge—it is an essential step to stay relevant and avoid falling behind in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
This programme is developed by business developers for business developers, specifically targeting the challenges linked to working within the field of business development in educational institutions. On top of the training, it is a good opportunity to connect with like-minded colleagues and business developers in similar positions across institutions.
THE FUNDAMENTAL MODULE – A MODULE FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM
The fundamental module is offered to all employees at educational entrepreneurship centres. The purpose is to establish a common language and understanding of sustainability so that everyone can work towards a shared goal. This module is a full-day workshop.
THE SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES MODULE – A MODULE FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPERS
The Skills and Competencies Module is targeted at employees who support entrepreneurs directly on a daily basis, such as business developers and startup coaches. The module consists of four full-day sessions. To participate in this module, completion of the Fundamental module is mandatory.
THE IMPORTANCE AND IMPACT OF THE TRAINING
PARTICIPANTS: EMPLOYEES & BUSINESS DEVELOPERS
Improve sustainability literacy in entrepreneurship.
Learn tools and methods to integrate sustainability into their tasks.
Implement sustainability in existing practices.
Provide guidance based on science and regulations.
Apply best business practices for sustainability.
THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTRES
Develop a common sustainability vocabulary and core competencies.
Gain recognition for sustainability efforts.
Take action to become a sustainability frontrunner.
Build networks and collaborate with other entrepreneurship centres.
Stay relevant for entrepreneurs.
THE USERS: STARTUPS & ENTREPRENEURS
Integration of sustainability at an early stage.
Avoid greenwashing and "fake green" initiatives
Integrate sustainability into the core business model.
Balance short-term progress with long-term impact.
Guidance on where to start, in this complex and overwhelming challenge.
fundamental module
FOCUS & LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Recognise and describe different frameworks and concepts within sustainability and can explain interconnections and possible tensions between individual frameworks
Recognise and describe the EU Taxonomy and can explain interconnections with other regulations
Explain why sustainability claims without robust evidence are often mere communication strategies, also known as greenwashing
- Discuss why and how our understanding of sustainability is always evolving
Practicalities
Pre-requirements: None
Duration: 1 day
Set-up: In-person participation
Language: English
Costs: Free*
Travelling and accommodation costs: Not included
Certification of completion: Yes
This training module is available as a cross-institutional session or can be requested as a dedicated session hub-specific session.
Free for hubs supporting students and researchers at universities and
higher educational institutions in Denmark (not
covering costs for travelling and accommodation)
skills & competencies module
FOCUS & LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Discuss the impact of individuals and organisations working collaboratively towards sustainability goals
- Describe the fundamentals of paradox thinking and relate the concept of both/and-mindset within their role
- Recognise and describe regulatory demands and can describe interconnections, e.g. CSRD, GRI, Danish law, EU GreenClaims
- Compare different tools that support sustainable business development, describe their theoretical foundation, and apply them when coaching
entrepreneurs - Describe sustainability from several perspectives, considering time, space, and context. Explore how these elements interact within and between systems
- Discuss the impact of individuals and organisations working collaboratively towards sustainability goals
Practicalities
Pre-requirements: Fundamental module completed
Duration: 4 days
Set-up: In-person participation
Language: English
Costs: Free*
Travelling and accommodation costs: Not included
Certification of completion: Yes
Free for hubs supporting students and researchers at universities and
higher educational institutions in Denmark (not
covering costs for travelling and accommodation)
the POLLINATE QUALITY BOARD
The Pollinate Quality Board at Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurship is dedicated to ensuring the excellence and relevance of our sustainability-focused train-the-trainers programme and other sustainability efforts. Comprised of 3 researchers from Copenhagen Business School with expertise in sustainability, the board will review and enhance our training modules, provide strategic guidance, and offer insights into emerging trends. In 2025, the board will continuously improve the programme's quality and impact.
Pollinate aims to prepare future innovators for societal and environmental challenges, fostering sustainable startups that meet the demands of investors, employees, and customers.
Thomas Riise Johansen
Thomas is a professor whose research has focused on sustainability accounting and accountability processes, including the role of stakeholders, auditors, and institutional arrangements. In addition, his work explores the role of regulation, regulators, and oversight in accounting and auditing as well as interactions between managers, users, and auditors.
Esben Rahbek Gjerdrum Pedersen
Esben is a researcher with a particular interest in the micro- and macro-processes that influence how e.g. corporate social responsibility, performance measurement, and lean management are translated from abstract norms to everyday business practices.
Birgitte Wraae
Birgitte researches entrepreneurship education, connecting entrepreneurial learning with personal leadership. Her work aims to develop change agents who can actively build a more responsible and sustainable society.
the POLLINATE PROJECT
The entrepreneurship centres, incubators, accelerators, and innovation programs at educational institutions are crucial to Denmark's and Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. These hubs provide training, coaching, and support to students and researchers on their hands-on entrepreneurial journeys, equipping them to further explore and take advantage of the opportunities available within the ecosystem. The Pollinate project was developed to ensure we evolve the literacy and skills in sustainability at the entrepreneurship centres. Read more about the project here.
