Enterprising Europe widens its horizons

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a new cross-border business exchange programme being funded by the EU. Its aim is to broaden the perspectives of Europe's young business leaders and to promote more wide-spread international co-operation.

erasmus entrepreneur Launched by the European Commission in February 2009, Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) allows young people who have recently started up a business of their own, or who are well on the way to doing so, to spend between one and six months with an experienced entrepreneur in another EU country.

The idea is that this will help them acquire relevant skills for managing a small or medium-sized business (SME) and give them a broader, more international perspective of the business world.

For established entrepreneurs who host these exchanges, the programme also offers strong added value through exchange of knowledge or new ideas, potential business networking possibilities and new commercial relations.

Over 95% of businesses in the EU are SMEs, accounting for approximately two-thirds of jobs and GDP. It is surprising, however, that less than 10% of these are outside their own country. It is hoped that EYE will help increase cross-border business opportunities.

Over 530 young entrepreneurs have taken part in the programme so far. Details of their experiences and the impact the exchange has had on them, on both a professional and personal level, are available on the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs website.

More information:

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs