Maelezo

SMP-COSME-2026-EYE

This action will support the continued implementation and expansion of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme. It aims to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs from Single Market Programme (SMP) participating countries to foster an exchange of business knowledge and expertise, including exploring new destinations beyond SMP countries.

About the Programme

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a mobility scheme that allows new entrepreneurs (potential or those who have recently started their own business) to spend a period of time collaborating with an experienced entrepreneur (host) running a small or medium-sized enterprise in another participating country. These mobility actions are designed as a hands-on learning experience.

The programme is delivered locally by a network of Intermediary Organisations (IOs) . These are business support organisations, such as chambers of commerce, business incubators, start-up centres, and other expert bodies, that act as local contact points. IOs are responsible for the core functions of the programme, including:

• Recruiting both new and host entrepreneurs.
• Matching entrepreneurs based on their business needs, goals, and sector to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership.
• Facilitating the mobility actions, including logistical and administrative support.
• Promoting the programme and its benefits at the local and national level.
• Collecting feedback from participants to ensure quality and measure impact.

Expected Outcomes

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes, strengthening the programme’s reach and effectiveness:

• Enhanced Entrepreneurial Capacity: A measurable increase in the managerial skills, business knowledge, and international outlook of participating entrepreneurs, leading to more resilient and growth-oriented SMEs.
• Strengthened Support Network: An expanded and more cohesive network of Intermediary Organisations across Europe and beyond, capable of delivering high-quality support services and fostering cross-border business collaboration.
• Increased Internationalisation: A greater number of SMEs engaging in cross-border business activities, forming new trade links, and exploring new markets, thereby contributing to European economic integration.
• Innovation Spillover: The successful transfer of innovative methods, products, or services between entrepreneurs from different regions, stimulating creativity and competitiveness.

Quantitative targets for this call include:

• a) Circa 7,000 individual entrepreneurs matched.
• b) Circa 10,000 entrepreneurs registered in the programme database.
• c) Circa 100 Intermediary Organisations involved in implementation.
• d) Circa 35 countries covered.
• e) Rate of successful exchanges above 90% (based on positive entrepreneurs’ feedback).

Scope and Objectives

Proposals should outline a clear strategy for achieving the programme’s objectives and expanding its reach. The action should focus on the following specific objectives:

• a) Enhancing Entrepreneurship: Directly supporting the creation of start-ups and the early-stage development of new businesses.
• b) Building Managerial Skills: Helping new entrepreneurs acquire and build practical managerial skills and further develop their business plan/activity by learning directly from the experience of their host.
• c) Learning on the Job: Facilitating a practical exchange where the new entrepreneur works with the host entrepreneur on concrete business projects, tackling real-world challenges.
• d) Fostering Innovation: Supporting the host entrepreneur in researching, developing, and testing new business concepts, products, or services. This is achieved as the new entrepreneur brings in fresh ideas and perspectives from a different national, academic, or market environment.
• e) Raising International Awareness: Increasing entrepreneurs’ awareness of the benefits of going international and, in particular, of exploiting the potential of the wider European market.
• f) Intensifying Networking: Strengthening the networking and business relationships between entrepreneurs from different participating countries, laying the groundwork for further internationalisation of SMEs and the spread of innovative methods or products.
• g) Promoting Inclusivity: Actively promoting and facilitating the participation of entrepreneurs from the EU’s outermost regions (referred to in Article 349 TFEU) and from their neighbouring third countries, ensuring the programme’s benefits are widely accessible.