The EEEA award is conferred annually by the Sten K. Johnson Centre for Entrepreneurship to acknowledge individuals or organizations that have significantly advanced entrepreneurship education within the academic community across Europe. Recipients of the EEEA are honored with a diploma and a monetary prize of 100,000 SEK, emphasizing the value and impact of their contributions to the field.
European Entrepreneurship Education Award
The award committee's citation
Professor Thomas M. Cooney of Technological University Dublin, Ireland, is a distinguished leader in entrepreneurship education, recognized for his significant contributions to academia and policy, particularly in empowering marginalized groups. As Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Behaviour, Inclusion and Innovation (CEBII), he actively promotes inclusive economic growth, equipping underrepresented entrepreneurs with essential business and life skills. His collaborations with leading organizations such as the OECD, the European Commission, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research have resulted in the implementation of impactful strategies to enhance entrepreneurial engagement within diverse communities. Through his international partnerships and leadership roles, Cooney has broadened the reach and impact of inclusive entrepreneurship education across Europe through a range of in-person, online, and e-learning programs. Additionally, his undergraduate students have raised approximately €1 million for charities through their coursework assignments. He has also served on the board of many academic research networks and is a Fellow of the European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ECSB). Cooney’s dedication to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship education, combined with strong scholarly contributions to the field, makes him a deserving recipient of the 2026 European Entrepreneurship Education Award. His work exemplifies the award’s mission to promote innovative teaching practices and cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets among diverse audiences.
European Entrepreneurship Education Award 2026 Ceremony
The EEEA award ceremony for 2026 will be held in conjunction with the 3E conference, organized by the ECSB together with Nord University Business School and Engage (Centre for Engaged Education through Entrepreneurship), in Bodø, Norway, from May 20–22, 2026. This annual gathering draws approximately 150-200 researchers and educators focused on entrepreneurship education from across Europe, making it the perfect venue to celebrate the achievements of the EEEA award winner.
We warmly invite you to join us at the 3E conference for the EEEA 2026 prize ceremony. This special event will honour Thomas M. Cooney and foster enriching dialogues on entrepreneurship education and learning. Read more about the 3E conference - https://3e2026.org/
