School Enterprise Challenge 2026 for Schools WorldWide (Prizes + Global Recognitions)

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Applications are now open for School Enterprise Challenge 2026. The School Enterprise Challenge is a free, international education programme that supports teachers and student teams to create and run sustainable school businesses.

The School Enterprise Challenge is an award-winning educational programme that supports teachers and young people to plan and set up a real business at their school.

The programme is proven to increase business skills and essential life skills that prepare young people with the necessary tools to pursue further education, navigate future career opportunities, or to become job creators while contributing positively to society.

The School Enterprise Challenge is open to all schools (primary and secondary) from all countries. Since 2011, over 40,000 schools from more than 100 countries have signed up to take part! The initiative is powered by Teach A Man to Fish, a UK-based education non-profit focused on practical, skills-based learning.

Teachers sign up to access step-by-step guidance and ready-to-use materials that bring entrepreneurship to life in the classroom. Students gain hands-on business experience and build essential 21st-century skills – while schools generate real income to support their community or fund future projects. Open to schools from pre-primary to secondary level around the world. Available in English and Spanish

School Enterprise Challenge Benefits

Participating schools gain access to:

International Recognition
- Schools earn global certificates and recognition for participation and performance.
Prizes and Awards
- Outstanding teams can win cash prizes and other rewards across different stages of the competition, including business idea, planning, and implementation phases.
Real Business Experience
Students run actual school businesses such as:
- Farming projects
- Student-run shops
- Service-based enterprises
- School production units
Skills Development
Participants build:
- Financial literacy
- Leadership and teamwork
- Problem-solving skills
- Creativity and innovation

For Students

Participants go out into the real world, make their own decisions and learn by doing.

Skills acquisition
- Young people develop essential life and business skills that aren’t traditionally taught at school which will set them up for the future.
Further education and job opportunities
- The transferable skills and experience that our participants gain helps them to stand out from the crowd and boosts their CVs

For Teachers

Bring teaching to life with engaging real-world activities for students!
Win real cash prizes for yourself, your students and your school and community
Connect and share ideas with educators from all over the world in our thriving online community
Earn real income for your school
Master new teaching techniques, boost your CV and advance your career

Eligibility Criteria

ALL schools from ALL countries can participate, including:

Pre-primary schools
Primary schools
Secondary schools
Technical/vocational colleges

Universities are NOT eligible to participate

How Does It Work?

The programme is broken up into 3 simple stages, divided into Milestones. Essential skills are developed all along the way!

IDEA
- Students work together to brainstorm a feasible, costed, and exciting idea for their very own school business that can make real money
- Creativity | Communication
PLAN
- Students develop a business plan by analysing potential customers and competitors, agreeing on finances, and creating marketing materials
- Analysis | Critical thinking
LAUNCH
- Students truly run their business, sell their product or service to real people and make real money for a cause of their choice.
- Teamwork | Problem solving