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Monday, October 26, 2009

First entrepreneurs return from “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs”

Seven months after the launch of the “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” mobility programme, the first participants are returning from their experiences abroad, providing very positive feedback.New Entrepreneurs were pleased to develop the skills necessary for building and running a business and Host Entrepreneurs have reported about hopes for future cooperation abroad and the positive influence of a fresh perspective on their businesses.

An example: Francisco Javier Robredo Arana travelled from Spain to the International School of Languages in Malta where he developed his marketing and managerial skills. “It has been a unique and thoroughly rewarding experience. It has enabled me to expand my managerial skills in areas of administration, finance and international relations,” he said. The school of languages also benefited from the exchange stating “Francisco has been an asset and a pleasure in our office, provided valuable insight on the Spanish Market and added cultural diversity to our staff.”

To date, 1200 potential New and Host Entrepreneurs from 24 EU countries have applied to participate in the programme. Spain and Italy have been leading the way in applications accounting for 29% of New Entrepreneurs and 30% of Host Entrepreneurs respectively. The Advertising/Promotion/Media is the most requested sector (15% of the current exchanges), followed by Education and training (10%).

Who is the programme for?

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is intended for New Entrepreneurs and Host Entrepreneurs. A New Entrepreneur (NE) is someone who is firmly planning to set up his/her own business or has already started a business within the last three years. Host Entrepreneurs (HE) should be experienced and successful businesspeople who own or manage an SME in the EU. NEs’ and HEs’ business can be in any sector of activity.

NEs will gain experience from shadowing the senior host entrepreneur, while at the same time contributing to the host’s business through their work, new ideas and knowledge of a foreign market.

How does the programme work?

New and experienced entrepreneurs apply for the programme via the web page www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu. The matching of the NEs with HEs is carried out with the help of over 100 intermediary organisations (IOs) competent in business support (e.g. Chambers of Commerce, incubators, start-up centres, etc.) all across the EU. New Entrepreneurs are entitled to receive a financial contribution from the EU towards their travel and accommodation costs.

Source  DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

More information  DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

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