Deadline: 8-Jun-22
The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) is pleased to announce an open call for the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) Programme to enhance entrepreneurship, develop the international outlook and competitiveness of European SMEs and foster potential start-up entrepreneurs and newly-established micro and small enterprises in the Participating Countries.
It furthermore aims to enhance entrepreneurship, internationalisation and competitiveness of new and established micro and small enterprises within the EU and in other participating countries.
The purpose of this call for proposals is to select Intermediary Organisations (IOs) to implement the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme at local level. They will, in particular, recruit the entrepreneurs and assist them to benefit from the programme. This call for proposals will therefore support actions of organisations enhancing and facilitating the exchanges of new with host entrepreneurs. The call is not targeted directly at entrepreneurs willing to participate in an EYE exchange.
Proposals shall also include in their target groups entrepreneurs who propose “sustainable/green” and “digital” business models. Applicants must also define the intended number of relationships of those compared to the overall proposal target. The proposal should also indicate how this specific target should be achieved. Applicants must also include an approximate number of entrepreneurs to be recruited for that purpose New Entrepreneur (NEs) and — Host Entrepreneur (HEs) for each of the above groups.
Objectives
The specific objectives of the programme are:
- Provide on-the-job-training to new entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in another country, in order to facilitate a successful start and development of their business ideas;
- Foster exchanges of experience and information between entrepreneurs, on obstacles and challenges faced, when starting up and developing their business;
- Enhance market access and identification of potential partners for new and established businesses in other EU and participating countries;
- Promote networking by building on knowledge and experience from other European countries.
Funding Information
- Available budget: EUR 40 000 000
Eligibility Criteria
- Interested NEs and HEs must have their ‘permanent residence’, as defined by the programme, in an EU Member State or in any of the other participating countries to participate in the programme and they should apply in that country.
- Permanent residence’ is defined as:
- The place where the company of the applicant is registered, if the applicant has a registered company, and where the applicant is residing;
- If a company has several registered establishments in different EU Member States or other participating countries, the entrepreneur should choose the country where he/she is based as his/her permanent residence;
- The place where the applicant has spent 183 days or more in the course of the last 12 months, if the applicant does not have a registered company.
- Participation in the programme is not based on nationality or legal residence, therefore holding a specific nationality or legal residence status does not grant or deny an applicant the right to participate in the programme. For example, EU nationals that have not been living in any of the participating countries for the above mentioned period are not eligible to participate until they once again fulfil the necessary eligibility criteria.
- You should verify that all information provided in the application is consistent. Do not hesitate to verify this information against available information, e.g. on the internet, and request clarifications where necessary.
- New entrepreneurs: Interested NEs who are not nationals of an EU Member State or of any of the participating countries can participate in the programme provided that they have spent 183 days in a participating country with a residence permit or equivalent document that allows them to reside in the country, and that they have started or have the intention to start a business in the EU or any other participating country. If this condition is not fulfilled, they cannot participate in the programme.
- Host entrepreneurs: Interested HEs who are not nationals of any of the participating countries must run a business, registered within one of the participating countries, and reside in that country in order to be eligible to participate in the programme.
For more information, visit https://eismea.ec.europa.eu/funding-opportunities/calls-proposals/erasmus-young-entrepreneurs_en