How to participate in the Erasmus+ for Young Entrepreneurs Programme
The European exchange programme for Entrepreneurs
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs helps provide aspiring European entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to start and/or successfully run a small business in Europe. New entrepreneurs gather and exchange knowledge and business ideas with an experienced entrepreneur, with whom they stay and collaborate for a period of 1 to 6 months.
The stay is partly financed by the European Commission.
Benefits
As a new entrepreneur, you will benefit from on-the-job training in a small or medium-sized enterprise in another Participating Country. This will ease the successful start of your business or strengthen your new enterprise. You can also benefit from access to new markets, international cooperation and potential possibilities for collaboration with business partners abroad.
As a host entrepreneur, you can benefit from fresh ideas from a motivated new entrepreneur on your business. He may have specialised skills or knowledge in an area you do not master, which could also complement yours. Most host entrepreneurs enjoyed the experience so much that they decide to host other new entrepreneurs afterwards.
It is really a win-win collaboration whereby both of you can also discover new European markets or business partners, different ways of doing business.
On the longer-term, you will benefit from wide networking opportunities, and, possibly, decide to continue your collaboration, possibly as long-term business partners (e.g. joint ventures, sub-contracting activities, contractor-supplier relationships, etc).
“Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” is financed by the European Commission and operates across the Participating Countries with the help of the local contact points, competent in business support (e.g. Chambers of Commerce, start-up centres, incubators etc.). Their activities are coordinated at European level by the Support Office of the Programme.
Please read the programme guide (English) for more information on conditions of participation.
Who can participate in this European mobility scheme?
The programme encourages the participation of both:
1 click, 45 participating countries, unlimited entrepreneurial opportunities
New and experienced entrepreneurs who are willing to take part in the entrepreneurs exchange programme should apply via the tool and choose their preferred local contact point. The local contact point should be active in the country of residence of the entrepreneur since it will act as a guide and contact point throughout the process. Entrepreneurs living in one of the few countries where no local contact point is available may register with a contact point located in another European country of their choice.
Please view the list of the local contact points participating in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme.
Once you have been accepted, you will be able to find all other valid applications in the online catalogue, which enables you and your local contact point to search for suitable matches.
It is recommended that potential candidates read carefully the registration guide (new entrepreneur guide//host entrepreneur guide) to have all required information at hand before starting the registration process.
Step-by-step guide
Main steps to follow to participate in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme
1. Prepare your application documents: CV, motivation and, in addition for the new entrepreneurs, a business plan;
2. Register via the online form (link) and submit your CV and business plan (for new entrepreneurs only);
3. Once accepted, build a relationship with a new or host entrepreneur abroad (two options):
a) You suggest to your local contact point a new or host entrepreneur with whom you are already in contact , or
b) You look for a new or host entrepreneur in the online catalogue with the help of your local contact point.
Note that note that an exchange might not be considered as eligible is if is not in line with the programmes’ eligibility criteria for an exchange.
4. Reach an agreement with your new or host entrepreneur about the work and learning project (i.e. about the dates, objectives and activity plan of the exchange) and submit the details to your local contact point.
It is important to keep in mind that the programme does not support internships or work placements- only entrepreneurial collaborations between to the individual entrepreneurs.
5. Signature of Commitment to Quality: A Commitment to Quality should be digitally signed in the IT Tool by all partners involved in the relationship. As a new entrepreneur, you should equally conclude the financial agreement with your local contact point;
6. Start of the stay abroad: The duration of the exchange may be from 1 to 6 months with the possibility of dividing the stay into weekly slots (providing the time span does not exceed a total of 12 months);
7. The financial assistance to the new entrepreneur will be provided in several payments, according to the agreement signed with his/her local contact point.
This publication has been prepared within INDIGISE project. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the project coordinator and may not always reflect the views of the European Commission or the National Agency.
