Entrepreneurs are also entitled to their Erasmus programme. The light atmosphere of Cédric Klapish’s Auberge Espagnole is more eager to learn here because the European system offers young entrepreneurs the opportunity to exchange their know-how. But like its cousin reserved for students, the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) program has the same end goal: to create bonds between Europeans and promote intercultural exchanges.
As the student program celebrates its 35th anniversary, the EYE system has just passed the 10,000-entrepreneur exchange milestone. After thirteen years of existence, that’s very little compared to the 12 million students who have traveled across Europe on university exchanges. Blame it on a lack of publicity according to the newspaper the echoes†
However, the program has something to tempt. Co-financed by the European Union, young entrepreneurs can go abroad for a few months to work and learn on their project. These exchanges allow: “for future European entrepreneurs to acquire the skills needed to set up and/or manage a small business in Europe”, reads the EYE website. [Ils ont] the opportunity to acquire or exchange knowledge […] with an experienced entrepreneur, with whom they stay […] one to six months. The stay is partly financed by the European Commission”.
Depending on the chosen destination across the 45 participating countries (European countries but also Singapore, Canada, the United States or even Israel) and the length of stay, a scholarship is awarded to young entrepreneurs. The amount varies depending on the destination between 530 euros (for Ukraine so far partner, Moldova) and 1,100 for Denmark, where the cost of living is much higher.
A win-win system that allows young entrepreneurs to gain new skills in the SME that welcomes them, while continuing to work on their personal project. For the host company, it is an opportunity to take a fresh look at their work while taking advantage of the technical or creative qualities of a new member of the team. In the long run, it is also a good way to create commercial ties between European countries.
For more information about the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs system, please find it here.