Publicat pe 26/05/2016

On 23 May, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from different political parties gathered
to mark the inauguration of the network of MEP Ambassadors for Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs.
The establishment of the network of MEP Ambassadors shows the high level of political support for
this European cross-border exchange programme for entrepreneurs, an initiative of the European
Commission.

Attending Monday evening’s launch event, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, EU SME Envoy and Commissioner for the
Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, told MEPs: “The programme is now well
established and is gaining a strong track record. It addresses some of the main challenges that
European start-ups experience and helps businesses to scale up across borders. I am grateful to the
new MEP Ambassadors for their support in lifting Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs to the next
level.”

The Commissioner’s sentiments were echoed by Austrian MEP Paul Rübig, initiator of the programme
and host of the event: “The European Parliament pushed for the creation of Erasmus for Young
Entrepreneurs and MEPs have followed its evolution closely. The programme itself has grown from a
start-up to a scale-up and it is gratifying that we can now play a hands-on role in its continued
success.”

EUROCHAMBRES has been a strong supporter of Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs since its inception and
continues to act as the Support Office for the programme. CEO Arnaldo Abruzzini said: “By driving
business creation and growth through cross-border mobility, Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
symbolises the single market. It is a great example of how the EU can deliver growth; sometimes
it’s simple concepts rather than complex laws that can make a real difference”.

 

About Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs enables a new or aspiring entrepreneur to collaborate with an
experienced entrepreneur in another country for up to six months. The entrepreneurs exchange ideas
and contribute to the development of each other’s businesses, turning the exchange into a
beneficial opportunity for both entrepreneurs.

In the seven years since its launch, the programme has demonstrated a positive impact in
stimulating innovative business practices, development of new products and services, and expansion
into new markets for the entrepreneurs involved. More than 13,000 entrepreneurs have applied for
the programme, with nearly 8,000 experienced and new entrepreneurs already taking part. 55.3
million EUR from the COSME Programme has been allocated to Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs until
2020.