General questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility of host entrepreneurs
What are the benefits for host entrepreneurs?
Potential benefits for host entrepreneurs include the opportunity to:
- Work with an energetic and motivated new entrepreneur who will contribute with innovative views, new skills and knowledge to the host entrepreneur's business;
- Learn about foreign markets, expand business opportunities and engage in cross-border activities;
- Interact with businessmen and women from other European countries and become part of a dynamic European business network of successful entrepreneurs;
- Improve the growth potential of the company by establishing a business partnership with a new entrepreneur from another European country;
- Benefit from the assistance of professional intermediary organisations, which help you to search for a suitable business partner for the exchange;
- Option to use of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs labels and certificate attesting your participation in the programme;
- Increase the visibility and prestige of your business (e.g. via interviews with the media);
How many years experience must I have
Can I participate in the programme as a host entrepreneur if I live outside the European Union?
No, the current condition for all entrepreneurs, regardless of their nationality, applying for the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, is to be a permanent resident in one of the 27 European Member States.
Can I participate in the programme if I run a registered association?
According to the European definition of a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), an association is considered a SME providing it meets the following criteria:
- the association must be regularly engaged in an economic activity;
- the association employs fewer than 250 employees;
- the annual turnover does not exceed 50 million euro, or an annual balance sheet which does not exceed 43 million euro.
Please note that training activities are considered economic (even if they are not commercial). Therefore, training organisations and centres are eligible to participate in the programme.
Can I participate in the programme if I run an incubator?
Yes, entrepreneurs running incubators may participate in the programme as host entrepreneurs providing they meet the eligibility requirements set by the programme for host entrepreneurs.
Can I participate in the programme even though my country of residence has no intermediary organisation working on the programme?
They are currently no intermediary organisations in Czech Republic , and Luxembourg. It is unusual for host entrepreneurs from these countries to participate in the programme, as there are no intermediary organisations on site to provide legal and logistical assistance during the exchange. Entrepreneurs from these countries can contact an intermediary organisation located in the neighbouring country, but the intermediary organisation must be sure to provide the appropriate assistance.
Eligibility of new entrepreneurs
Can a family member, who is planning to take over a family enterprise, participate in the programme as a new entrepreneur?
eligibility criteria set by the programme. This falls in line with Small Business Act for Europe
Can the new entrepreneur be part of a cooperative?
Employees in cooperatives may be accepted as new entrepreneurs as long as they are firmly intending to start up their own business as well as meeting the other necessaryeligibility requirements set by the programme.
Can I participate in the programme if my business exceeds 3 years of existence during my stay abroad?
EU overseas territories
Can an NE or HE from a EU overseas territory participate in the programme?
Yes, as long as the overseas territories are part of the EU, participation is of course allowed. However, there will be no local contact point for an NE going to these overseas territories. The NE must be well aware of this situation and accept to start the exchange under such circumstances.
A short note in the agreement between the parties is recommended to avoid any dispute.
The EU overseas territories are:- Saint-Martin
- Madeira and the Azores
- Canary Islands
Can I start an exchange with a host company working in a different sector to mine?
The business sector is an important criterion for finding a suitable business partner with whom to start an exchange. You may choose up to four different sectors for the exchange, but it is recommended you choose a host company from the same sector, as you will learn more concrete skills for your business start-up.
Who grants the financial support to new entrepreneurs?
The details of the financial support are subject to an agreement between the new entrepreneur and his/her intermediary organisation and reflect the overall living costs of the country of the stay. As a new entrepreneur, you must provide proof of expenditure to your intermediary organisation paying the financial support. If the expenditure proves to be lower than the initial amount of financial support provided, the paying intermediary organisation is entitled to claim back the excess.
Must the new entrepreneur find additional funds for his/her stay abroad?
Do new entrepreneurs benefit from financial assistance during the stay abroad?
Financial support to new entrepreneurs contributes to travel costs to and from the country of the stay and covers subsistence costs (in particular in terms of accommodation) during the visit. The details of the financial support are subject to an agreement between the new entrepreneur and his/her intermediary organisation and reflect the overall living costs of the country of the stay. Indeed, the amount of financial assistance is determined by the country where the new entrepreneur plans to undertake his exchange.
As a new entrepreneur, you must provide proof of expenditure to your intermediary organisation paying the financial support. If the expenditure proves to be lower than the initial amount of financial support provided, the paying intermediary organisation is entitled to claim back the excess.
Further information about the monthly financial assistance is available in the section .
What are the benefits for new entrepreneurs?
Potential benefits for new entrepreneurs include the opportunity to:
- Stay up to six months with a successful and experienced entrepreneur in another European country to gain relevant business start-up knowledge in a wide range of areas such as marketing, financial accounting, customer relations, business finance;
- Improve the entrepreneurial experience and chances of success during the business start-up phase;
- Refine business ideas/plan;
- Become members of an international European business network of successful entrepreneurs;
- Gain knowledge about foreign markets and understand the regulatory framework in another European Union country;
- Collaborate and develop cross-border business co-operation;
- Gain insights into different cultural and organisational settings and understand how companies function in the European Union;
- Improve language skills;
- Find out about European commercial law and the single European market, European standardisatio and European support for SMEs;
- Receive practical and financial assistance such as induction courses before the exchange, logistical and local support during the stay, and a grant covering the travel and subsistence costs during the stay abroad.
How can I find a host entrepreneur?
Can I participate in the programme as a new entrepreneur if I live outside the European Union?
The current condition for all entrepreneurs, regardless of their nationality, applying for the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, is to be a permanent resident in one of the 27 European Member States. Entrepreneurs from outside the European Union can participate in the programme provided that they have started or have the intention to start an enterprise in the European Union. Unless this condition has been met, they cannot, at this stage, participate in the programme.
Can I participate in the programme even though my country of residence has no intermediary organisation working on the programme?
Yes, entrepreneurs from all European Member States can participate in the programme. There are currently no intermediary organisations in Czech Republic and Luxembourg. Entrepreneurs from these countries can choose an intermediary organisation in the EU Member State located the closest to their country of residence.
Can an independent professional (for instance, a lawyer) apply as an entrepreneur in the programme?
Yes, according to the European Union definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprise, self-employed professionals are considered entrepreneurs. Independent professionals can participate in the programme as new entrepreneurs, provided that the following eligible criteria are met:
- The entrepreneur has either set up his own business in the last three years or is firmly planning to set up his own business in the coming months in the European Union;
- The entrepreneur must have a viable business plan and a sound educational and vocational background;
General information about participation
In which language should I provide my business plan?
Candidates are requested to submit a full business plan and a summary of the business plan.
full business plan is a confidential document that will only be read by the intermediary organisation of your choice assessing your application. It should be submitted in a language that your intermediary organisation understands. It must equally be made available to the European Commission upon request.
summary of your business plan should be submitted in English. Entrepreneurs and their intermediary organisations will be able to access your profile and summary of your business plan on the online database.
Is the business plan mandatory to apply or a brief idea of the project is sufficient?
Yes, the business plan is mandatory to participate in the programme as it is an essential part of the application that intermediary organisations evaluate when accepting new entrepreneurs. The business plan does not need to be extensive but needs to contain relevant documents to demonstrate that the new entrepreneur has invested significant efforts to set up his/her company
What is a business plan and where can I find a template?
A business plan is a document that summarises the operational and financial objectives of one's business, with detailed schemes and budgets to achieve the business start-up.
The Support Office does not provide a business plan template. New entrepreneurs can choose the format they like and if they encounter any difficulty, they can contact their intermediary organisation for a more information and advice.
The business plan should contain:
- A description of the product or services on offer;
- A market analysis including a definition of the target market and a competitor analysis;
- A financial plan including a break even analysis.
How can I be sure of the confidential treatment of my business plan?
Intermediary organisations are responsible for the confidential treatment of business plans. If the business plan contains any information the new entrepreneur wishes to keep confidential, he may want to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) or any similar confidentiality agreement with his intermediary organisation.
General questions about Erasmus for Young entrepreneurs
What is a "third country" ?
is a country that is not a European Member State. The term "third country" is understood here as a country acting as a "third party" in an agreement between the European Union and the European countries.
Enterprise category
Head count
Turnoveror
Or Balance sheet total
medium-sized
< 250
≤
small
< 50
micro
< 10
Where did the initiative come from?
In light of this fact, the European Union initiated the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme in 2009, which represented an innovative response to the dual challenge of stimulating entrepreneurship and encouraging cross-border trade in Europe. By means of staying with an experienced entrepreneur in another European Member State, would-be entrepreneurs gain competences and perspectives that will prove invaluable during their business start-up phase. At the same time, new entrepreneurs use their fresh entrepreneurial spirit and knowledge of their home market and culture as a source of new ideas and as a sounding board for host entrepreneurs.
The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme was developed within the framework of the Small Business Act
What are the programme’s objectives?
- Facilitating business exchanges between new and experienced entrepreneurs;
- Up to six months on-the-job-training enabling a successful business start-up;
- Exchanging experience and knowledge about obstacles and challenges when starting and developing businesses;
- Enhancing market access and identifying potential partners for new and established businesses in other European countries;
- Networking by building on knowledge and experience from other European countries.
Who can participate?
Eligible entrepreneurs are those in the early stages of their business start-up (new entrepreneurs) and experienced owners or managers of a micro or small enterprise (host entrepreneurs).
Host entrepreneurs are experienced businessmen or women (i.e. more than three years of activity), ideally owners of a micro or small enterprise (SME) in the European Union or persons directly involved in entrepreneurship at SME board level, abiding by the EU definition of micro, small or medium-sized enterprise. They must be willing to cooperate with the new entrepreneur towards developing his/her entrepreneurial skills and know-how.
What are the benefits for new entrepreneurs?
Potential benefits for new entrepreneurs include the opportunity to:
- Stay up to six months with a successful and experienced entrepreneur in another European country to gain relevant business start-up knowledge in a wide range of areas such as marketing, financial accounting, customer relations, business finance;
- Improve the entrepreneurial experience and chances of success during the business start-up phase;
- Refine business ideas/plan;
- Become members of an international European business network of successful entrepreneurs;
- Gain knowledge about foreign markets and understand the regulatory framework in another European Union country;
- Collaborate and develop cross-border business co-operation;
- Gain insights into different cultural and organisational settings and understand how companies function in the European Union;
- Improve language skills;
- Find out about European commercial law and the single European market, European standardisatio and European support for SMEs;
- Receive practical and financial assistance such as induction courses before the exchange, logistical and local support during the stay, and a grant covering the travel and subsistence costs during the stay abroad.
What are the benefits for host entrepreneurs?
Potential benefits for host entrepreneurs include the opportunity to:
- Work with an energetic and motivated new entrepreneur who will contribute with innovative views, new skills and knowledge to the host entrepreneur's business;
- Learn about foreign markets, expand business opportunities and engage in cross-border activities;
- Interact with businessmen and women from other European countries and become part of a dynamic European business network of successful entrepreneurs;
- Improve the growth potential of the company by establishing a business partnership with a new entrepreneur from another European country;
- Benefit from the assistance of professional intermediary organisations, which help you to search for a suitable business partner for the exchange;
- Option to use of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs labels and certificate attesting your participation in the programme;
- Increase the visibility and prestige of your business (e.g. via interviews with the media);
What is Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs?
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a European business exchange programme. It provides practical and financial assistance to newly established or would-be entrepreneurs wishing to spend some time abroad with a host entrepreneur.Thanks to the programme, new or would-be entrepreneurs acquire the relevant skills for managing a small or medium-sized enterprise, and experienced businessmen or women gain fresh perspectives and international cooperation opportunities. The programme aims at the exchange of knowledge and experience, better networking possibilities across Europe and new commercial relations for European businesses.
Which countries can participate?
The programme is accessible to all European new and host entrepreneurs who have theirpermanent residency in one of 27 European Member States.
The "permanent residence" is defined as:
- The place where the company of the entrepreneur is registered, if the entrepreneur has a registered company;
- In case of a company with several establishments in different EU Member States, the country where the entrepreneur has his permanent residence for tax purposes;
- The place where the entrepreneur has spent 6 months or more in the course of the last 12 months, if the entrepreneur does not have a registered company.
Interested new entrepreneurs coming from third countries can participate in the programme provided that they are permanent residents in one of the 27 EU countries and that they have already started or have the intention to start a business in the European Union. If these conditions are not met, they cannot, at this stage, participate in the programme.
Interested host entrepreneurs coming from third countries must be running a business within one of the 27 EU Member States to participate in the programme.