European programs that support young people to develop their own business
This article is created for the project “Efivos in Europe”
Author: Santyago Mitov
We live in a very open world – full of freedom, offering plenty of opportunities for development and professional realization. Nowadays, every person has the opportunity to develop, whether they are young, middle aged, or old. With the same speed at which the world is developing, active young people are also developing. Examples of this can be seen in various sports, in the arts – exceptional young people who surpass their age and become super good at what they do. There are also many young people who choose not to continue their education at university but to acquire various professional skills through courses – such as barbering, makeup, manicure, and others. Unfortunately, there are also young people who are still not sure what they want to do in the future. However, for those with ideas, there are programs that give them the opportunity to receive support and create a successful business of their own.
One of the programs I’d like to introduce you to is the “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” program by the European Union. This is a program for an exchange of experience. Its most characteristic feature is that it gives young people with ideas the opportunity to connect with already established and successful businessmen in their respective fields of interest and learn from them. This program supports not only young entrepreneurs but also experienced individuals because they may gain a good foreign partner in the future. And the opportunity to get to know a new country, its culture, and its characteristic features is a bonus effect of the program. The stay and exchange of experience are partially financed by funds from the European Union.
Whether you are a new or very experienced entrepreneur, the program can offer tremendous added value to your business: potential benefits include exchange of knowledge and experience, contacts and collaboration across Europe, establishing new trade relations, or finding international markets.
In “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs,” new entrepreneurs who firmly plan to start their own business or have already started one in the last three years can participate, as well as experienced entrepreneurs who own or manage small and medium-sized enterprises in another participating country in the program.
There are many other programs that can help young people with ambitions for development. The most important thing is the desire and to have passion and enthusiasm.
Another opportunity similar to “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” is a youth employment initiative (YEI), which is one of the main financial resources of the EU in support of young people to develop their potential. Through it, young people can receive funding for apprenticeships, internships, additional education, and work placements.
A successful business venture example is the story of my father. In the prime of his youth, he started his own business in the construction industry – manufacturing and installing doors and windows. Over time, his business became more and more successful. Today, as a young person on the verge of completing my secondary education, I have decided to continue his path, to develop myself as a successful businessman, and to contribute to the stability achieved by my father. I believe that by gaining experience with determination and willpower, I can eventually support young people with ambitions for development in this direction.
The article was created as part of the CERV Efivos project in Europe. EFIVOS II program is funded by the European Commission (CERV), with partners Network Children’s Rights (Greece), CIP (Cyprus), HESED (Bulgaria), GEYC (Romania), Dedalus (Italy), Pacto Verde (Spain), Crossing Borders (Denmark).The support of the European Commission for the preparation of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content. The publication reflects only the views of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use of the information contained therein.
