Erasmus Young Entrepreneurs offers new and aspiring business owners a one-to-six month exchange to work alongside experienced host entrepreneurs in another participating country, with the programme providing country-based financial assistance for eligible participants.
The programme is financed by the European Commission and managed with assistance from the European Innovation Council and the SMEs Executive Agency, implemented through approved local contact points such as chambers of commerce, start-up centres and incubators.
Erasmus Young Entrepreneurs Benefits
- Up to six months of practical learning with an experienced business owner
- Improved understanding of how to establish and manage an SME
- Exposure to marketing, sales, accounting, customer relations and business finance
- An opportunity to test and strengthen a business plan
- Greater confidence in making entrepreneurial decisions
- Development of management, technical and sector-specific skills
- Better understanding of international and European markets
- Experience of different organisational and business cultures
- Improved foreign-language and communication skills
- Access to a network of international entrepreneurs
- Opportunities to identify future business partners
- Potential development of cross-border commercial cooperation
- Financial assistance toward eligible travel and living costs
Erasmus Young Entrepreneurs Eligibility Criteria
- They are firmly planning to establish their own business and have developed a viable business plan; or
- They have already established a business but have less than three years of total entrepreneurial experience.
- Be over 18 years of age
- Be permanently resident in an eligible EU Member State or participating Single Market Programme country
- Have a concrete business idea or project supported by a proper business plan
- Be motivated to learn from an experienced entrepreneur in another participating country
- Be prepared to contribute useful skills, knowledge and competencies to the host business
- Be willing to participate actively throughout the agreed exchange
- Have sufficient language ability to communicate and collaborate with the proposed host
- Be prepared to supplement the programme’s financial assistance if it does not cover every expense
- Personally submit the application through the official programme platform
- Participate in the programme as a new entrepreneur only once
How to Apply for Erasmus Young Entrepreneurs
- Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
- Step 2: Identify a Local Contact Point
- Prepare a Curriculum Vitae
- Prepare a Motivation Statement
- Prepare a Full Business Plan
- Prepare a Business Plan Summary
- Provide Language Information and Geographical and Sector Preferences
- Submit the application through the official programme platform
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Erasmus Young Entrepreneurs programme. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, duration, funding and how to apply through the official portal.
What is Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs?
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is an international business mobility programme that supports people planning to establish a business or who have recently started one by arranging one-to-six month exchanges with experienced host entrepreneurs in another participating country.
Who funds and manages the programme?
The programme is financed by the European Commission and implemented with the assistance of approved local contact points. Programme management is supported by the European Innovation Council and the SMEs Executive Agency.
How long can an exchange last?
An approved exchange can last from one to six months. Exchanges may be continuous or divided into shorter periods, provided all approved periods are completed generally within an overall timeframe of no more than 12 months.
Is there financial support for participants?
Eligible new entrepreneurs may receive financial assistance toward travel and living costs. Assistance is normally a monthly lump sum paid by the selected local contact point and depends on the destination country and the agreement with the intermediary organisation.
Can host entrepreneurs receive funding?
Host entrepreneurs do not receive European funding for hosting, though they may gain commercial and professional value such as access to new ideas, skills and international contacts.
Who can participate as a new entrepreneur?
Applicants qualify as new entrepreneurs if they plan to establish a business with a viable business plan or already have a business but less than three years of entrepreneurial experience. They must be over 18 and permanently resident in an eligible participating country.
What documents are required to apply?
New entrepreneurs should prepare a Curriculum Vitae, a Motivation Statement, a Full Business Plan, a Business Plan Summary, language information, and details of geographical and sector preferences before starting the online application.
Which countries participate in the programme?
Participating EU Member States and certain Single Market Programme third countries are eligible. Host entrepreneurs may also be based in non-SMP destinations such as Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. Applicants should consult the official participating countries list.
How is permanent residence determined?
For applicants with a registered company, permanent residence is generally the country where the company is registered. For others, it is normally the country where they have spent at least 183 days in the previous 12 months. Detailed guidance is available on the programme website.
Where do I apply for the programme?
Applications are submitted through the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs IT platform. The official application portal is available at the programme’s webgate site, and local contact points guide applicants through assessment, matching and implementation.
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