Updated last 18.06.2025
What is the program?
The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Program is a crossborder exchange program providing to new or prospective entrepreneurs opportunities to learn from experienced entrepreneurs running small enterprises located in other states in the scope of the program.
The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program is funded by the European Commission and operates in participating member states through responsible intermediation organizations that are competent in providing business support (for example, chambers of commerce, start-up centers, business incubators, etc.). Their activities are coordinated at the European level by the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Support Office.
What is the main objective of the program?
The exchange of experience takes place during a placement with an experienced entrepreneur (host entrepreneur), who helps the new entrepreneur acquire the skills needed to run a small business. Benefits for the host entrepreneur include new perspectives for developing their own business and the opportunity to establish cooperation with foreign partners or to gain new insights. Whether you are a new or an experienced entrepreneur, the program can offer substantial added value to your business: potential benefits include knowledge and experience exchange, contacts and cooperation across Europe, establishing new business relationships, or finding international markets.
Who is eligible to apply under the program?
To be eligible, new entrepreneurs have to meet one of the following requirements:
To be determined to start their own business based on a viable business plan; or
To have started own business in the past three years.
The future (or the already registered) company or business can be from any sector of the economy. There are no age restrictions for the applicants.
Other requirements:
- To have a permanent residence in one of the participating in the programme states;
- To have a particular project or business idea, elaborated in the business plan;
- To be highly motivated and committed to the execution of cooperation during your stay with an experienced entrepreneur in another participating in the programme state;
- To be ready to contribute to the development of the business of the host entrepreneur and to provide your own skills and knowledge;
- To be ready to co-finance the funds under the programme for covering your expenses during your stay abroad.
As a host entrepreneur you are eligible to participate in the programme, if:
- You have a permanent residence in one of the participating in the programme states;
- You are an owner / manager of a small or medium-size enterprise, OR you are a person, who participates directly in the entrepreneurship business at level small and medium-size enterprises;
- You have managed a company for at least several years;
- You are ready to share your knowledge and experience with a new entrepreneur and to be her/his mentor within this process.
What is the time frame to apply to the programme’s procedures?
You can submit documents at any time.
How can you apply to the programme?
New and experienced entrepreneurs who wish to participate in the entrepreneurs’ exchange programme should apply through the system and choose the responsible/intermediary organization of their choice. The responsible intermediary organization must be active in the applicant’s country of residence, as it will serve as the lead and contact point throughout the process. Entrepreneurs living in one of the few countries where there is no responsible intermediary organization can register with a responsible intermediary organization located in another European country of their choice.
| For more information | |
 | More information about the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program, as well as how you can apply, can be found here. |