The European Exchange Program for Young Entrepreneurs

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a cross-border exchange programme which gives new or aspiring entrepreneurs (NE- New Entrepreneurs) the chance to learn from experienced entrepreneurs (HE- Host Entrepreneur) running small businesses in other Participating Countries from EU and more widely.

The exchange of experience takes place during a stay for the period of 1-6 months with the experienced entrepreneur, which helps the new entrepreneur acquire the skills needed to run a small firm. The host entrepreneur benefits from fresh perspectives on his/her business and gets the opportunities to cooperate with foreign partners or learn about new markets.

If you thinking to start your own business or already you have set up a business? The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program could be very useful for you!

Who can participate as New Entrepreneur?

Young entrepreneurs who have started the business no more than three years ago or have a business idea and firmly planning to start their own business, based on a concrete project.

How to participate as NE or HE?

The application must be submitted ONLINE in the section ‘Apply now’.

Before applying, please contact us at: [email protected], as an intermediary organisation for Albania that will provide free support for completing the application and searching for possible exchanges.

If you want to apply as NE, you must have the following information and documents:

Curriculum vitae (in English and in Europass format);
Motivations (in English); and
A Business Plan (document that describes the product or service to be offered and summarises the operational, sales and financial objectives of business. It also should contain detailed schemes and budgets which show how to achieve such objectives)

Who can participate as Host Entrepreneur?

Host entrepreneurs are successful and experienced entrepreneurs- owners of an SME

or people directly involved in entrepreneurship at SME management board level.

The following criteria must be fulfilled to participate in the programme:

- Be successful and experienced with, more than 3 years (cumulative) of activity.

- Run a micro, small or medium-sized enterprise in one of the participating countries

If you want to apply as HE, you must have the following information and documents:

Curriculum vitae (in English and in Europass format);
Motivations (in English); and

Benefit of the program

- If you are a NEW ENTREPRENEUR, you will have the opportunity to have an on-the-job training experience in a foreign company, with financial support to cover travel and subsistence costs, to understand how to successfully start your business or strengthen the foundation of the newly established enterprise.

- If you are an ENTREPRENEUR ALREADY ESTABLISHED, you will be able to collaborate with a motivated and energetic young entrepreneur, who will be able to make an important contribution to your business by bringing new perspectives, skills and knowledge, as well as informing you about foreign markets and accessing new business opportunities.

It is really a win-win collaboration whereby both of you can also discover new European markets or business partners, different ways of doing business.

On the longer-term, you will benefit from wide networking opportunities, and, possibly, decide to continue your collaboration, possibly as long-term business partners (e.g., joint ventures, sub-contracting activities, contractor-supplier relationships, etc).

For further information about the programme, please write to: [email protected]

Visit the official website of the:  Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is an initiative funded by the European Union.