The document summarizes the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program run by the Croatian Chamber of Economy. The program allows new entrepreneurs to spend 1-6 months with an experienced entrepreneur in another country to gain experience. It benefits both new entrepreneurs, who learn from seasoned ones, and host entrepreneurs, who gain new skills and business connections. The Croatian Chamber of Economy acts as an intermediary, matching entrepreneurs and providing support. The process involves online applications, matching by intermediaries, establishing agreements, and on-site support during the exchange. Past participants reported the experience helped them start businesses and develop business skills.

2. Services of the CCE through the project
ERASMUS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
Vesna Torbarina, project manager
Croatian Chamber of Economy

3. ... In order to facilitate the exchange of experiences, learning and networking
of new entrepreneurs during a time period they spend with a more
experienced entrepreneur in another country.
Why Erasmus for young entrepreneurs?
Enhances entrepreneurship and internationalization
Facilitates access to new markets and potential business
partner search
Enables experienced entrepreneurs to develop new business connections and
learn more about business opportunities in another country

4. Main Actors Involved
European
Commission
Support Office
Intermediary Organizations
Host Entrepreneurs
New Entrepreneurs

5. Croatian Chamber of Economy (CCE)
as an intermediary organization
Intermediary: any institution whose regular activity is providing business support
on a national, regional or local level.
The role of CCE:
• Placed directly by the European Commission
• Professional support before, during and after the exchange
• Active research for suitable new entrepreneurs (NE) and host entrepreneurs (HE);
• Assessment of the quality of the applications;
• Organisation of a mutually beneficial exchange for the NEs and HEs;
• On-site support of the NEs.
• Promotion of the program “ERASMUS” on a national and local level

6. •Get experience & advice
from seasoned
entrepreneur
•Develop international
contacts
•Get knowledge about
foreign markets
•Providers, clients, co-
venturing opportunities
Benefits of New and Host Entrepreneurs
•Access new skills and
innovative knowledge
•Work with a young fresh
mind contributing new
ideas
•Gain knowledge and
intelligence about the
foreign markets
•Opportunity to establish a
new business partnership
with an entrepreneur from
another country
Benefits for New
Entrepreneurs
Benefits for Host
Entrepreneurs

7. How does it work?
STEP 1: Application
STEP 2: Matching
STEP 3: Contracting and preparation
STEP 4: Stay abroad

8. IO
STEP 1: Online application
• Application from NE;
• Application checked by IO;
• HE states interest to
participate;
• File is checked by IO.
NE
HE
www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu
IO

9. NE
IO
STEP 2: Matching
• Matching of NE and HE
with the help of the 2 IOs
STEP 3: Contracting and
preparation
• HE, NE and IOs establish
agreements;
• NE does pre-departure
induction;
• NE receives a grant.
IO HE

10. NE
IO
HE
STEP 4: stay abroad
• Duration: 1-6 months;
• On-site support provided
by the host IO to the NE;
• Reporting about the
exchange.
IO

11. How to register?
• Interested new and experienced entrepreneurs apply for the programme via
the website: www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu
• As part of registration new entrepreneurs and host entrepreneurs choose
the Intermediary Organisation active of applicant entrepreneurs

12. The on-line applilcation form
consists in 8 parts:
1. Welcome
2. Your profile
3. Motivation
4. Languages
5. Business sector
6. Geographical preference
7. Duration and period of the exchange
8. Selection of IO and submission

13. Consortium partners
FUERM
CEEIM
Murcia
KDRIU
Székesfehérvár
MISET
Mikkeli
RRC
Koper
HGK
Zagreb
F.I.L.S.E.
Genova

14. MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS
UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy and The Netherlands

16. Experiences of the beneficiaries – new entrepreneurs
„It was an exquisite opportunity which I recommend to every beginner
entrepreneur or to those who intend to become ones. In the future I hope
to become a host entrepreneur myself in order to transfer my knowledge to
new potential businessmen in the EU.”
Lucian Avadani, UK
“The exchange allowed me to learn about the working system of Gustometria. I really
appreciated working with the host company’s staff and I thank them for their warm
welcome! ” Anna Giulia Ingellis (Italy) NE
“We were very happy to have Anna Giulia here at Gustometria and we are currently
investigating together the best way to promote my product in Southern Italy.”Carlos
Bisquert (Spain) HE
90.4% has declared that the participation in this program has motivated them to
start their own business
93% has declared that experience aquired through this program significantly
helped them in development of their own business

17. Experiences of the beneficiaries - host entrepreneurs
„It is always great to adopt new ideas. Organizations can sometimes become static
and passive. New people always bring new ideas and it can only contribute to the
development of your company, no matter how successful you are."
David Dale, UK
94% has declared that working with new entrepreneurs has been successful
87% has replied that working with new entrepreneurs has contributed to the
development of their business

18. Contact in CCE:
www.hgk.hr
Vesna Torbarina
Tajana Kesid Šapid
Ino Buljan
Gojko Jelavid

19. Call for proposal in 2010 (CIP program):
European Network of Female Entrepreneurship Ambassadors
Main aim: Inspiring Croatian women to become entrepreneurs by
engaging Ambassadors of Female Entrepreneurship
Duration: 24 months (December 2010 – December 2012)
Croatian Ambassadors:
we planned to have only 10 but in the project implementation, we
noticed high motivation of 30 “potential” Ambassadors

20. Activities: • 10 inspiration seminars (2 in each region)
• 408 women reached by inspiration seminars (vs.300
planned)
• On the basis of the seminars, we determined the
main problems for the motivated group
• prepared curriculum for the 3-day tailor-made
educational workshops (start-up) which were held in
the second year of implementation
• 5 start-up workshops (1 in each region)
• very high interest for the follow-up workshops: 240
women participated ( vs. 150 planned)

21. 6 success stories so far!
• 3 women established a company
• 3 women established a craft
• A lot of networking and new ideas
• New business relationships
Results

22. Thank you for your attention
Questions?
Vesna Torbarina, advisor for EU
Croatian Chamber of Economy