In the framework of COSME, the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, the submission period for the call “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” (COS-EYE-2015-4-01) is now open.

The Executive Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises (EASME) will manage this notice, with the overall objective to select entities that will act as Intermediary Organisations (IOs) to implement the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs locally.

The call will finance the activities of organisations aiming at supporting and facilitating the mobility of new entrepreneurs. Therefore, the call is not addressed to entrepreneurs who intend to participate in the programme.

The purpose of the EYE programme is to strengthen entrepreneurship, develop the international dimension and the competitiveness of SMEs, and encourage potential start-ups of participating countries. The experience of mobility makes possible for the new entrepreneurs to enrich their background and skills, as well as expand their network of business relationships.

The Intermediary Organisations, by acting as Local Contact Point, will implement the following actions:

a) Promotion of the programme
b) Enrolment of entrepreneurs
c) Assessing applications from NEs (New Entrepreneurs) and HEs (Host Entrepreneurs)
d) Building relationships
e) Management of grant agreements, commitments and financial assistance
f) Preparation of the exchange
g) Follow up of the exchange
h) Management, quality control and evaluation
i) Active Networking
j) Reporting

The activities are explained in detail in the annex “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Implementation Manual for Intermediary Organisations” (Quality Manual).

Project proposals must be submitted by public or private entities, in partnerships composed of at least 5 legal entities from at least 4 different countries.

In particular, the consortia may include:

– Business associations and business support networks;
– Public entities responsible for or active in the field of economic affairs, enterprise, business support or related issues;
– Chambers of commerce and industry, chambers of handicrafts or similar bodies;
– Business support organisations, start-up centers, incubators;
– Public and private entities that provide support services to businesses.
– Institutes of (higher) education such as universities or institutes for vocational education and training.

The EU co-financing rate may cover up to 90% of the costs incurred by the IOs, with a maximum grant of 500.000 euro for project. Management costs may be covered by a EU contribution up to 75%.

The EASME expects to fund approximately 12 projects, for a total budget of €6 million.

Project proposals must be submitted electronically within the deadline of 3 June 2015.

All official documents are available on the webpage of the call:
https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/cos-eye-2015-4-01-erasmus-young-entrepreneurs.

Further information related to the participation in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs are published on the programme website: http://www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu.