This year’s Junior Achievement fair was held at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in Gothenburg on 11 March, with the theme Entrepreneurship for Real. Young Enterprise offers high school students the opportunity to start and run an enterprise over an academic year. High engagement and commitment marked this year’s fair, where the trend for social and sustainable enterprise was strongly in evidence. The winner of JA Company of the Year 2019 was announced at the end of the awards ceremony in the big congress hall.

1,300 high school students from 340 JA companies exhibited and marketed their products and services at the Junior Achievement fair.

“It’s wonderful that 1,300 students took the opportunity to exhibit at this year’s JA fair. This year it was particularly exciting to note an increase in students’ awareness and knowledge about sustainable enterprise, which was clearly evident in their business ideas. General interest in young enterprise continues to increase. The number of students running JA companies in the region rose again this year, and it is wonderful to see the strong encouragement given to young enterprise in schools,” comments Johan Sandahl, Regional Manager, Junior Achievement Gothenburg.

Göteborg & Co’s Trade and Industry Group is a partner of Junior Achievement and also hosts the prestigious JA Company of the Year competition. The gold medal was awarded to Worth UF from NTI Gymnasiet Kronhusgatan high school, for creating a mindfulness colouring book on the theme of body positivity. The award was presented by Kristin Mari Riera, project leader, Göteborg & Co’s Trade & Industry Group. The Jury Statement was as follows:

“The winner has come up with a creative and innovative solution to a current social problem. These young entrepreneurs have pooled their resources to make a difference to others and challenge unhealthy norms. Their drive and business competence show strong potential for future success, both in Sweden and internationally. We are all impressed by your shared courage, and consider you a highly WORTHY winner of the JA Company of the Year competition.”

“It’s absolute magic to feel the infectious energy and innovative spirit of the 1,300 young exhibitors at the fair. In addition to presenting creative and sustainable business ideas, this year’s Junior Achievement fair also plays a key role in promoting present and future enterprise. It’s an honour to congratulate Worth UF, the worthy winner of JA Company of the Year 2019, for addressing an important social problem and contributing to a healthier approach to body positivity in society,” comments Kristin Mari Riera, project manager, Göteborg & Co’s Trade and Industry Group.

Young Enterprise (Ung Företagsamhet) is a non-profit, apolitical education organisation which has been teaching entrepreneurial and business skills to high school students since 1980 through JA programmes.