Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs


"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. The stay is partially funded by the European Union.

Whether you are a new or highly experienced entrepreneur, the programme can offer strong added value to your business: possible benefits include exchange of knowledge and experience, networking opportunities across Europe, new commercial relations or markets abroad. Read the programme guide.

Have you decided to apply for the programme? Read first the New Entrepreneurs or for Host Entrepreneurs.

Who can participate?

Young entrepreneurs who have serious plans to start their own business or has already started business during the last three years.

The business activity can be in any economic sector. The young entrepreneurs should demonstrate high level of education and professional training, as well as a reasonable business idea.

Experienced entrepreneurs are such with experience, who managed micro, small or medium enterprise for more than three years.

Benefits for the young entrepreneurs:

Active participation in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme offers aspiring entrepreneurs access to a wide range of benefits to help successfully run or start a new business:

Up to six months stay with an experienced entrepreneur in another Participating Country to gain first-hand knowledge about business start-up in a wide range of areas such as: marketing/sales, financial accounting, customer relations, business finance etc. You will also have the opportunity to improve your business plan.

  • Building self-confidence and skills: sector-specific knowledge or know-how, technical and management skills;
  • Opportunities for collaboration with other entrepreneurs and the development of cross-border business co-operation;
  • Networking and building of strong relationships, which can be useful for mutual consulting, business referrals, and for finding business partners abroad;
  • Insights into different cultural and organisational settings and how companies function in another Participating Country;
  • Insights into the business environment of another Participating Country
  • Improved language skills;

Thanks to the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, participants achieve long-term benefits, which are illustrated in the Erasmus success stories

Benefits for the successful entrepreneurs:

As a host entrepreneur participating in the programme, you will benefit from the exchange by having the opportunity to:

  • Work with an energetic and motivated new entrepreneur who can contribute to your business with innovative views, new skills and knowledge;
  • Benefit from a "fresh eye" on your business, and specialised knowledge that the new entrepreneur may have and that you do not master;
  • Act as a coach or mentor;
  • Learn about foreign markets, expand your business opportunities and engage in cross-border activities;
  • Interact with entrepreneurs from other Participating Countries and get opportunities to collaborate with them;
  • Network and build strong relationships, which can be useful for mutual consulting, business referrals, and for finding business partners abroad;
  • Improve your language skills;
  • The large majority of most entrepreneurs enjoyed the experience so much that they decided to host other new entrepreneurs afterwards!

Discover the benefits experienced by the host entrepreneurs in the Erasmus success stories.

How to participate ?

1 click, 37 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: curriculum vitae, 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. 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.

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;

5. Signature of Commitment to Quality: A Commitment to Quality (link) should be (digitally) signed by all partners involved in the relationship. As a new entrepreneur, you should equally conclude a funding 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.

Contacts with the BMA team:

BULGARIAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
Tel: +359 87 666 8324
E-mail: eye@bgma.eu
www.bgma.eu