The MUSE project

New Skills, Fresh Approaches, and a Sense of Community.

The new muse mentoring exploration inspires participants to develop themselves with the guidance of a self-chosen muse mentor. The mentor group embarks on a growth journey, with its direction and destination shaped by the group itself, supported by the project facilitators. Through the shared experience of community and inclusion, it is confirmed that everyone is needed. Together, we are greater than the sum of our parts.

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What is the MUSE project?

The MUSE project (MUUSA-hanke in Finnish) aims to enhance the skills and capabilities of those in working life or entering it by creating innovative and resonant practices that support individual yet collective growth. This is achieved via the spirit of entrepreneurial culture and startup services, while keeping the participants’ values and needs at the forefront.

Project duration

1.4.2024-30.6.2026

Executed by

University of Turku and Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Places

Turku/Varsinais-Suomi
Tampere/Pirkanmaa

Main funder

European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

Muse Mentor and Participants – You, Your Muse, and a Few Others

Based on a newly created MUSE concept, suitable muse mentors from Varsinais-Suomi and Pirkanmaa regions are identified. They each have a unique profile suited to the ways of being and doing in the modern world. The participants choose a muse mentor that fits them best. Inspired by their mentor, together the muse mentoring group explores and works on their individual and shared goals, with the support of the MUSE project facilitators.

But that’s not all: in addition, the participants will meet the other ”musers” and muse mentors from their region. And even that’s not all: the muse mentors and their groups from Turku and Tampere will also meet. The aim is to enhance self-awareness, self-efficacy, and other skills while fostering new, more diverse communities for co-creation. Within these new networks, participants may find a space where their newfound skills resonate, leading to actions where entrepreneurial approaches and entrepreneurship may feel like natural, fitting ways to move forward.

The MUSE Concept and Operational Model

The project will create the MUSE concept and its operational model, which will complement and expand the offerings of entrepreneurial activities and startup services to a broader group of working-age individuals and those in the workforce. There is a need for more entrepreneurial, positive, and sustainably created attitudes in society, but in a more diverse manner than current services offer. The MUSE operational model supports the various needs and values of individuals in the workforce and those transitioning into it, in a “muse-like” style – strengthening our individual and collective actions and existence – because we all are needed.

Practical Implementation and Preliminary Schedule

  • In August-September 2024 the chosen musementors are announced.
  • In September-October, so-called themed events, or ”Muse Encounters”, will begin, where the muse mentors will introduce themselves. At the same time, the activation of those interested in participating in the muse mentoring begins. Interested individuals can describe what kind of service they would like for exploring their own path and getting acquainted with entrepreneurial activities: https://link.webropol.com/s/muusakiinnostaa.
  • In October, participants choose their preferred muse mentor.
  • The muse mentor and their group will meet approximately four times by February 2025, but all the meet-ups can also be held before Christmas, depending on the group. The exact schedule and content of the meetings are agreed upon according to the needs of the muse mentor and their group. The project team supports and facilitates when needed.
  • Early 2025 (around late winter), is the “inter-regional” phase, where the groups from Turku/Southwest Finland and Tampere/Pirkanmaa will meet each other.
  • In the fall of 2025, muse mentoring starts again with new muse mentors and new participants, but even better, having learned from the fall 2024 pilot!

The MUSE project (from April 1st, 2024 to June 30th, 2026) is jointly carried out by the Tampere University of Applied Sciences and the Turku School of Economics (of the University of Turku, also the project coordinator role). The main funder of the project is the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), represented in the project by the ELY Centre of Central Finland.

Further Information

Project Manager, lecturer
Antti Tuomisto
University of Turku
antti.tuomisto@utu.fi

Project Manager, lecturer
Kaisa Kokko
Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK)
kaisa.kokko@tuni.fi