Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a cross-border exchange programme which gives new or aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to learn from experienced entrepreneurs running small businesses in other European Union countries

The exchange of experience takes place during a stay with the experienced entrepreneur, which helps the new entrepreneur acquire the skills needed to run a small firm.

The host benefits from fresh perspectives on his/her business and gets the opportunities to cooperate with foreign partners or learn about new markets.

Whether you are a new or highly experienced entrepreneur, the programme can offer strong added value to your business: possible benefits include exchange of knowledge and experience, networking opportunities across Europe, new commercial relations or markets abroad.

The stay is partially funded by the European Union. The project "SMEs Growing in Europe" SGE12 is coherent with the policy framework defined by the “Small Business Act for Europe” and it represents a concrete and tangible measure that effectively contributes to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of the enterprises within the countries participating in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Programme. SGE12 fosters entrepreneurial skills and culture and provides expert support to SMEs creation, growth, internationalization and access to finance.

SGE12 project offers, within the contractual period of the programme and beyond, business exchange opportunities for new entrepreneurs to receive individual support and establish an enriching and sustainable business cooperation with an experienced entrepreneur in another participating country, shadowing day-to-day entrepreneurial activities, implementing innovative and strategic projects. The entrepreneurs are accompanied after the exchange in the follow up activities, to ensure a strong impact on their businesses and the foundations for a long lasting business relationship among the two entrepreneurs involved in the exchange. The quality of the relationships is ensured throughout all project phases, from recruitment and assessment of applications to matchmaking and weekly monitoring of the exchanges, which are based on a clear work programme, strategic for both entrepreneurs.

The project main aim is facilitating New Entrepreneurs (NE) to plan and accomplish a successful cooperation with a Host Entrepreneur (HE) in another participating country. SGE12 Consortium, covering 10 countries (Spain, Italy, Romania, Poland, Greece, Austria, Malta, Macedonia, France and the Netherlands), builds upon solid relationships with businesses, with a network of over 65.000 SMEs, and on the proven ability in implementing successful transnational business exchanges among innovative SMEs.

Read more about the programme