Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs exchange programme

Deadline: Rolling Basis

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a cross-border exchange programme which gives new or aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to learn from experienced entrepreneurs running small businesses in other Participating Countries.

The exchange of experience takes place during a stay with the experienced entrepreneur, which helps the new entrepreneur acquire the skills needed to run a small firm. The host benefits from fresh perspectives on his/her business and gets the opportunities to cooperate with foreign partners or learn about new markets.

Eligibility

• New entrepreneurs, firmly planning to set up their own business or have already started one within the last three years
• Experienced entrepreneurs who own or manage a Small or Medium-Sized Enterprise in one of the Participating Countries

Benefits

 Potential benefits for new entrepreneurs include the opportunity to:

• Stay up to six months with a successful and experienced entrepreneur in another European country to gain relevant business start-up knowledge in a wide range of areas such as marketing, financial accounting, customer relations, business finance;
• Improve the entrepreneurial experience and chances of success during the business start-up phase;
• Refine business ideas/plan;
• Become members of an international European business network of successful entrepreneurs;
• Gain knowledge about foreign markets and understand the regulatory framework in another European Union country;
• Collaborate and develop cross-border business co-operation;
• Gain insights into different cultural and organisational settings and understand how companies function in the European Union;
• Improve language skills;
• Find out about European commercial law and the single European market,  European standardisatio and European support for SMEs;
• Receive practical and financial assistance such as induction courses before the exchange, logistical and local support during the stay, and a grant covering the travel and subsistence costs during the stay abroad.

Potential benefits for host entrepreneurs include the opportunity to:

• Work with an energetic and motivated new entrepreneur who will contribute with innovative views, new skills and knowledge to the host entrepreneur’s business;
• Learn about foreign markets, expand business opportunities and engage in cross-border activities;
• Interact with businessmen and women from other European countries and become part of a dynamic European business network of successful entrepreneurs;
• Improve the growth potential of the company by establishing a business partnership with a new entrepreneur from another European country;
• Benefit from the assistance of professional intermediary organisations, which help you to search for a suitable business partner for the exchange;
• Option to use of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs labels and certificate attesting your participation in the programme;
• Increase the visibility and prestige of your business (e.g. via interviews with the media);

For more information and application.