The ACCENT Project: Supporting International, Refugee and Women Entrepreneurs in Higher Education

ACCENT: Accessible Entrepreneurship – Empowerment for Global Futures is an Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership (2022–2025) that involved the University of Cologne, the University of Granada, and the University of Pavia. The project addressed the need for more inclusive entrepreneurship support in higher education, focusing on international and refugee students and women entrepreneurs. Based on qualitative research and cross-institutional collaboration, ACCENT identified barriers faced by these groups and developed coordinated institutional responses. The project produced practical outputs, including thematic handbooks, training materials, and train-the-trainer formats for higher education staff. The case study shows how collaboration between entrepreneurship centres, international offices, and academic units can strengthen support pathways and improve access to entrepreneurial opportunities, contributing to more inclusive and internationally connected entrepreneurship ecosystems.