“How can entrepreneurs from Ukraine take part in the European program for the exchange of business experience?”, — write: epravda.com.ua
When one of my acquaintances asks how the EU helps Ukraine or whether there are any grants that can actually be won, I can accurately and confidently give several examples, because I myself coordinate one of such projects. “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” (EYE) is a program about great opportunities or a win-win chance for all budding entrepreneurs. The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) program is an international program for the exchange of entrepreneurial experience, which is co-financed by the European Commission and allows Ukrainians to go to one of countries of Europe to learn from European colleagues. It helps to gain entrepreneurial experience and even build a network of potential clients with minimal costs. In fact, the program is an opportunity to test your business idea, avoiding the most common mistakes, and to scale your business on European markets, so this project can be safely called an important stepping stone towards full-fledged European integration of Ukraine. Read also: 100% grant. How to write an application that will win And this is also the first step to dozens of other European programs that help develop yourself and your business. Advertising: Project for budding entrepreneurs As part of the program, budding entrepreneurs work side by side with their experienced colleagues from another countries, sharing ideas, skills and knowledge of markets and business cultures to then implement best practices in their businesses. This is an absolutely useful program for all newbies in business, those who started and got stuck, and those who have dreamed of starting their own business for a long time and did not dare. One of our graduates, Iryna Savytska, who at that time was developing the Bank of Memories startup, collaborated with an entrepreneur from Slovenia for three months. She wanted to learn more about her company’s target markets in the EU and understand customer sentiment. The Slovenian entrepreneur wanted to start a partnership with a business owner who develops innovative projects and believes in the future of blockchain. Another participant of the program, Orina Starkina, CEO of the company StarkSoft, which helps businesses reach new heights with the help of innovative mobile applications, constantly sought to improve her knowledge and skills. The exchange at the Spanish company Geinnova, which specializes in European projects, became an important stage for her in her professional development and rethinking of her business idea. Advertising: How to become a participant in the program? During the 15 years of Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs’ existence, more than 12,000 exchanges have already taken place between entrepreneurs from different EU member states, as well as those included in the COSME program. Participants can choose the country for exchange themselves or use the help of official representatives of the program, whose contacts can be found on the website. We at Civitta carried out the largest number of exchanges of Ukrainians – about 60 and we continue to do so. After the start of the war, the European Commission simplified the conditions of participation for Ukrainians. Those citizens who have moved abroad since the beginning of the large-scale invasion can now participate in the program in the country where they are located. In addition, you can choose one of three exchange formats: offline – that is, physically travel outside Ukraine, online or cooperate in a mixed format. This is very convenient considering that men cannot currently travel outside of Ukraine, but still have the opportunity to participate in EYE. To get started, you need to apply. It doesn’t matter what kind of business you have. The main conditions for participation in the program: Have a business idea or run a business for no more than 3 years; Have knowledge of English or the language of the host country at the B1-B2 level; Have the desire and opportunity to be involved in the program full-time. The program partially covers the expenses of new entrepreneurs for travel, accommodation and other expenses related to EYE, from 600 to 1200 euros per month, depending on the host country. As an intermediary organization, we help participants fill out the application correctly, improve their resumes, finalize their business plan, find a host entrepreneur if necessary, and provide support throughout the entire period of participation in the program. Participants have the opportunity to independently build the necessary contacts, participate in those activities that they consider most relevant for themselves, and take the maximum amount of gains they need from the program. Recently, we launched another set of participants. So, if you feel that you are interested in this and want to try your hand at it, fill out the application and wait for our call.