Georgia Karakosta shares her experience of participating in Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
Georgia Karakosta took part in the European Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, traveling to Portugal for six months.
Georgia worked alongside Filipa Cabrita as a New Entrepreneur in the field of Architecture and shares her experience of participating in the programme:
“During my participation in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme at the architectural firm CRU Atelier in Portugal, I was actively involved in various projects, the most significant of which was the design and on-site installation of the Terra Crua exhibition at the CCB Museum. Under the guidance of Tania Teixeira, I gained valuable hands-on experience in natural building techniques, ranging from laboratory testing and soil preparation to mix formulation, formwork assembly, construction implementation, and the application of natural plasters. I worked with systems such as rammed earth, adobe bricks, compressed earth blocks, and straw-clay construction.
At the same time, I participated in the organization of educational workshops, while my daily involvement with the financial responsibilities of a small architectural practice proved invaluable in helping me understand, in practical terms, how to properly price my work, organize tasks and workflows, and manage the risks faced by a start-up business.
Tania played a key role in the development of my business plan. Drawing on her professional experience, she identified its shortcomings and provided targeted guidance, helping me refine and expand my original concept. Moreover, the overall experience gave me the opportunity to network with a wide audience and professionals in the field of natural building, laying the foundations for establishing my own workshop in Greece.
In closing, I would like to warmly thank CRU Atelier for this unique experience, as well as Oecon Group, the intermediary organization, for their continuous support and valuable guidance throughout every stage of the programme!”.
