Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

Program description

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs supports aspiring European entrepreneurs in acquiring the necessary skills to start or successfully run a small business in Europe. New entrepreneurs have the opportunity to acquire and exchange knowledge and business ideas during a one to six month collaboration with an experienced entrepreneur. The travel and accommodation costs in the host country are subsidised by the European Commission according to country flat rates.

The host entrepreneur benefits (not monetarily) from a new perspective on his/her own business and has the chance to use the innovative ideas of a motivated new entrepreneur who, in return, receives in-house training, so to speak.

It is a form of cooperation from which both sides benefit - by getting to know new European markets and business partners as well as different business practices.

Institution

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Support Office

For general information on the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs transnational exchange programme, please consult the answers to the frequently asked questions. For further information, please contact the Support Office in Brussels, which also provides a helpdesk.

Note: The main contact person for the programme is the local intermediary body. These are bodies selected by the European Commission to provide advice and assistance during the exchange: They offer help with the application, support in establishing a successful relationship with a suitable entrepreneur and answers to all individual questions. There are currently two local contact points in Berlin:

• ABUplus International GmbH
  Friedrichstrasse 95, 10117 Berlin, Website
  Contact person: Mr S. Altuntas
  +49 (0)15774593694
  sa@abuplus.com
• STIC Wirtschaftsfördergesellschaft mbH
  Rosenthaler Str. 72a, 10119 Berlin, Website
  Contact: Ms Judit Gulya
  +49 (0)15906147051
  erasmus@stic.de

Funding period

1 to 6 months

Funding criteria

The following can participate in this European exchange programme

• New entrepreneurs who have a realistic business plan for the company they want to start or have started a company in the last three years. The program is not limited to any specific industry and there is no age limit. They should be interested in contributing to the development of the host business and providing their own skills and knowledge. Additional funds must be raised to cover costs of the stay that cannot be covered by grants.
• Experienced entrepreneurs who have successfully owned or managed a small or medium-sized business for at least 3 years and are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with a young entrepreneur and act as a mentor.

Additional conditions

Host entrepreneurs of the programme have the following tasks and duties:

• Ensure high quality of the learning experience and working relationship with the new entrepreneur so that he/she is encouraged in his/her entrepreneurial ambitions.
• Sign a "Quality Commitment" to ensure a smooth cooperation with the new entrepreneur (i.a. definition of objectives, rough activity plan).
• Evaluation form to be filled in at the end of the exchange.

Expenses for (commercial)

Entrepreneurial salary/stipend/award money or similar, Travel costs, Coaching/mentoring services, Internationalization

Funding focuses on

Entrepreneurial know-how, Innovation partnerships/networks, Internationalization

Funding conditions (commercial)

international cooperation

Stage of the company/self-employment

prior to founding, up to 1 year after founding, up to 3 years after founding, existing company

Company Sizes

solo self-employed/one-man business, micro enterprise, small enterprise, medium-sized enterprise

Application type

Online form, Registration in advance

Application procedure/documents

New and experienced entrepreneurs wishing to participate in the exchange programme register via the online tool and indicate an intermediary of their choice. The local contact point should be the one responsible for the country of residence of the entrepreneur and will serve as a contact point for help and support throughout the process(list of local contact points).

Once the entrepreneur has been accepted into the programme, there is access to an online database of all accepted entrepreneurs, which can be used to search for suitable partners together with the local contact point.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to participate and apply for the programme.

Jury/Decision-making body

The local contact point examines the application.

Assistance/Downloads

Video on the "Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Programme".

Interested applicants are advised to read the registration guide carefully so that they have all the necessary information at hand when they actually register:

Guidance for new entrepreneurs

Guidance for Visiting Entrepreneurs

FAQ Url

Funded by

European Commission

Funding area

EU

Funding source of the institution

EU