For the second year running, the Prince of Girona Foundation and Zaryn Dentzel, founder of Tuenti and member of the Foundation’s Advisory Council, have promoted a survey into Spanish young people’s entrepreneurial initiative. The survey was carried out in May 2011 through the Tuenti social network, with over ten million young people registered as users who were asked how they could be motivated to develop themselves professionally.

More than 7,500 young people responded to the survey, contributing ideas about how the education system could be improved and how to build confidence in their future. This survey forms part of the parallel activities being carried out within the framework of the IMPULSA Forum, due to be held on 22 June in Girona and which will bring more than a thousand ‘restless’ young people together with experienced professionals, and also offer the best global experiences relating to the central themes of Building Enthusiasm, Educating, Entrepreneuring and Transforming.

The aim of this survey was to learn about young people’s needs and entrepreneurial initiative. 99% of those surveyed responded positively to the question about the need to build enthusiasm.

Spanish young people are restless by nature and are keen to learn more, to build a present, to be entrepreneurs and to undertake new projects of any type without fear. This is why they feel that it is necessary to generate the security and confidence required to be able to carry out the project they feel enthusiastic about.

45.8% consider that this enthusiasm has to come from young people themselves; 20% believe that the government should help generate it; while 12% feel that teachers, educators and the media play an important role in this regard.

60% of Tuenti users who responded to the survey believe that all young people need to feel enthusiastic and to receive support for their projects. However, 35% feel that efforts should be focused on those young people with doubts who need a little encouragement because they do not believe in their own potential.

Most of the young people surveyed agree that the best time to generate this enthusiasm is during adolescence, although they also feel that family and educational environments from primary school onwards also have an important impact. These young people think that if they have not been educated within a culture based on enthusiasm, initiative and an entrepreneurial character, it is very difficult to achieve this during higher education.

When asked what they thought were the best tools for building enthusiasm in young people, 31% felt that the education system has to better promote enthusiasm, banish the fear of failure and provide a more realistic and feasible vision of success. 20% of young people demanded programmes on creativity and entrepreneurial initiative in schools.

44% of those surveyed could see themselves being entrepreneurs and running their own business in the future. 30% see themselves working for a company, followed by 8% who would like be self-employed or freelance workers if they receive the necessary education and support.

50.5% of those surveyed said that what motivates them most in their current stage of learning is finding a job that they enjoy, one that makes them happy and that corresponds to their field of study. Meanwhile, 22% identified their main motivation as the opportunity to change the world and contribute values they consider important. For 19.2%, their enthusiasm is now focused on gaining a qualification that will enable them to obtain a good position that will bring them satisfaction in the future.

At the end of the survey carried out by Tuenti the young people were asked to explain freely in their own words how they plan to fight for this enthusiasm and what they are doing at the moment to achieve their objectives. This is a selection of the 4,000 comments received:

“Studying and working on my exams and school work, always trying to get the best possible grade in order to gain a very good academic record and be able to get a better position in the place I choose in the future.”

“Putting everything into the project I have in mind and never giving up on what I want.”

“Never losing hope and always fighting as hard as I can to achieve my objectives.”

“Studying, learning and not closing any doors due to a lack of enthusiasm.”

“Being brave, an entrepreneur and original. With a lot of strength and a willingness to work, constant effort in order to achieve everything I have proposed.”

“I want to use all the resources I have to hand. Study in a suitable and well-organised place; a good university. I have few financial resources, but the best grades always lead to grants. We could start by trying.”

“Working really hard and achieving my goals, and always with a smile.”

“With effort and self-improvement. Nothing and nobody can stop me from achieving my objectives.”

“Studying and believing in the opportunities that life offers every day.”

“Studying every day to obtain my degree. Volunteering. And, above all, helping my town, a little town that is fighting for survival, to create new jobs and promote farming and agriculture.”

“Thinking about the benefits I will obtain in the future thanks to my efforts.”

“Studying, being responsible, setting my own goals and achieving them.”

Finally, the participants in the survey were asked what they would do to increase young people’s enthusiasm if they were in a position of authority.

Among the more than 7,500 responses received, based on improvements and facilities in education and equal opportunities, these are the most frequently mentioned actions:

“Everybody, regardless of race, financial situation or ideology, should have the same opportunity to pursue their dreams.”

“Facilitate syllabuses, because without education it is impossible to achieve anything.”

“Programmes offering support and guidance for anyone who needs it. Practical experience in students’ chosen occupations.”

“Invest in better syllabuses; incentivise young people to work towards a decent future, as we are the future of this country.”

Asked whether they could name a person who made them feel secure and generated self-confidence and enthusiasm, the young people mostly mentioned their family and friends, Rafa Nadal, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Nelson Mandela.

The survey was carried out between 5 and 8 May 2011 through the Tuenti social network. The participants were given the chance to win an iPad 2. In total, 7,551 surveys were completed and more than 4,000 comments were made. 59% of the young people who responded to the survey were male. The overwhelming majority (93%) were aged between 14 and 23 years old.