The “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” exchange scheme offers an excellent opportunity for new entrepreneurs to acquire relevant skills for managing a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) by spending time in another EU country and working with an experienced entrepreneur.  

The new entrepreneurs will learn how to manage an SME as well as getting familiar with the business environment in another EU country by working with an experienced entrepreneur. Host entrepreneurs will also benefit from the scheme through enhancing their market access and identifying potential partners in other EU countries. The scheme will facilitate networking between entrepreneurs by building upon cross-border knowledge and experience within the EU.

The specific objectives of the programme are:

• On-the-job-training for new entrepreneurs in SMEs elsewhere in the EU in order to facilitate a successful start and development of their business ideas;
• Exchanges of experience and information between entrepreneurs on obstacles and challenges to starting up and developing their businesses;
• To enhance market access and identification of potential partners for new and established businesses in other EU countries;
• Networking by building on knowledge and experience from other European countries between entrepreneurs.

New entrepreneurs can choose to stay between 1 to 6 months with an experienced entrepreneur. During that period, they are expected to acquire relevant start-up and SME management knowledge in areas like financial and operational management, development of innovative products and services, successful sales and marketing practices, European commercial law and the single European market.

Launched in February 2009, the scheme has enable so far the organization of more than 50 exchanges while 100 are currently carried out. There are more than 1800 applications with Italy and Spain accounting for more than 45% of the total applications.

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is financed by the European Commission and operated across 24 EU countries by the help of more than 100 intermediary organisations competent in business support (e.g. Chambers of Commerce, start-up centres, incubators etc.). Their activities are coordinated at European level by EUROCHAMBRES, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which acts as Support Office.

Further details on the programme and on how to apply are available at: www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu