Irish students have been able to have an Erasmus year abroad for nearly 30 years. But did you know that young entrepreneurs who have recently set up a business have the same opportunity? An EU scheme is funding international business exchanges for go-ahead young people and for host businesses eager for new ideas.
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, an EU funded international business exchange initiative, has launched its 2013 programme for Ireland at a briefing hosted by Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board.
Under the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, an entrepreneur intending to start a company or having just started one, can get first-hand, practical, coaching from an experienced entrepreneur from another country, by working alongside him or her for one to six months. New entrepreneurs receive a grant from the European Union for their stay abroad.
Gina Quin, Dublin chamber chief executive, said, “The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a fantastic initiative that will give participants a unique opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues so that their business ideas can become a reality. Host entrepreneurs will also benefit significantly from the exchange. They can make use of the particular knowledge the young entrepreneur brings, profit from the entrepreneur’s energy and talent, and last but not least get the opportunity to explore new markets abroad.”
Since 2009, more than 1,600 exchanges have so far been organised under the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme and some 3,200 businesses have been created or expanded.
For further information visit www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu/
