Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a pilot project initiated by the EU to help the development of more internationalized SMEs and the creation of more new businesses in Europe. It comes under the Small Business Act for Europe which considers this initiative a key contribution “to create an environment within which entrepreneurs and family businesses can thrive and entrepreneurship is rewarded”.

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a European exchange programme aimed at helping new entrepreneurs to acquire relevant skills for managing a small or medium-sized enterprise by spending time (1 to 6 months) in an enterprise managed by an experienced entrepreneur in another European country.

This pilot project represents an innovative response to the dual challenge of stimulating entrepreneurship and encouraging cross-border business co-operation in Europe. By way of staying with and learning from an experienced entrepreneur in another EU coyntry, new entrepreneurs will gain competences and perspectives that will prove invaluable during the business start-up phase, while also enhancing potential cross-border activity and thus the probability of success.

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme is financed by the European Commission and operates across the EU countries with the help of more than 100 intermediary organisations competent in business support (i.e. Chambers of Commerce, incubators, start-up centers, etc…). Their activities are coordinated at European level by EUROCHAMBRES, which acts as Support Office.

870 matchmakings shall be organised. The necessary arrangements must be made in 2009. So grasp the opportunity and apply for the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs by contacting your preferred intermediary organisation!

Interested new entrepreneurs and experienced entrepreneurs can register via the website

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is financed by the European Commission and operated across the EU with the help of more than 100 local, regional or national intermediary organisations competent in business support (e.g. Chambers of Commerce, business support organisations, start-up centres, etc.). Their activities are coordinated at European level by EUROCHAMBRES, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which acts as Support Office.