Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

Deadline: Jun 8, 2022  
CALL EXPIRED

Expected outcomes:

• Circa 12,000 entrepreneurs matched;
• Circa 14,000 entrepreneurs newly registered;
• Between 70 and 100 Intermediary Organisations involved in the implementation of the programme;
• At least 30 countries covered;

Rate of successful exchanges above 90% (entrepreneurs’ feedback).

Scope:

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, while giving experienced entrepreneurs access to innovative ideas and new partners markets.

The general objective of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme is to enhance entrepreneurship, develop the international outlook and competitiveness of European SMEs and foster potential start-up entrepreneurs and newly-established micro and small enterprises in the Participating Countries.

Specific Objectives:

1. To provide on-the-job-training for new entrepreneurs with established host entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized enterprises abroad in the SMP Participating Countries in order to facilitate a successful start-up, and development of their business ideas;

2. To foster sharing of experience and information between entrepreneurs on the obstacles and challenges of starting up and developing their businesses;

3. To enhance market access and identification of potential partners for new and established entrepreneurs in other EU and SMP Participating Countries; also new entrepreneurs with EU citizenship have the possibility to go on an exchange with host entrepreneurs in the EYE global destinations;

4. To support networking between entrepreneurs from different SMP Participating Countries by building on knowledge and experience.

5. To foster matching of entrepreneurs from “underrepresented” countries.

Based on statistical data, “underrepresented” countries are the following ones: Ukraine, Kosovo*, Turkey, Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Armenia, Germany, Poland, Albania, Czech Republic.

6. To contribute to the EU’s strategies in relation to the triple transition (sustainable transition, digital transition and stronger resilience), such as suggested by the EU’s new Industrial Strategy for a globally competitive, green and digital Europe. The Intermediary Organisations will aspire high quality standards so as to deliver the following expected output for this call for proposals:

• Further develop a network of new entrepreneurs (NEs), host entrepreneurs (HEs) and Intermediary Organisations (IOs)
• Enabling new entrepreneurs to work alongside and learn from a host entrepreneur in another SMP Participating Country
• Support the creation of new businesses, joint ventures and spin-off companies and foster cross-border business cooperation
• Enhancing the international activities and innovation potential of host entrepreneurs

The Intermediary Organisations (IOs) will act as Local Contact Points for the implementation of the programme. They will be required to cooperate with all other organisations and authorities involved in the exchange programme, enabling new and host entrepreneurs to take part in the planned exchange. They will receive support from the existing Support Office (SO), which helps with the coordination and management of the programme across Associated Countries.

The IOs will help new entrepreneurs from SMP Participating Countries enrich their experience, deepen their knowledge and expand their network by spending periods in enterprises run by experienced entrepreneurs in other SMP COSME Participating Countries. At the same time, the IOs will also help experienced entrepreneurs find a suitable new entrepreneur to match with in order to get fresh ideas, innovative skills and access to new markets and new networking opportunities.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.