Project:  SMEs Growing in Europe

Description: SGE is coherent with the policy framework defined by the “Small Business Act for Europe” and it represents a concrete and tangible measure that effectively contributes to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of the enterprises within the countries participating in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Programme. SGE fosters entrepreneurial skills and culture and provides expert support to SMEs creation, growth, internationalization and access to finance. SGE project offers, within the contractual period of the programme and beyond, business exchange opportunities for new entrepreneurs to receive individual support and establish an enriching and sustainable business cooperation with an experienced entrepreneur in another participating country, shadowing day-to-day entrepreneurial activities, implementing innovative and strategic projects. The entrepreneurs are accompanied after the exchange in the follow up activities, to ensure a strong impact on their businesses and the foundations for a long lasting business relationship among the two entrepreneurs involved in the exchange. The quality of the relationships is ensured throughout all project phases, from recruitment and assessment of applications to matchmaking and weekly monitoring of the exchanges, which are based on a clear work programme, strategic for both entrepreneurs. The project main aim is facilitating New Entrepreneurs (NE) to plan and accomplish a successful cooperation with a Host Entrepreneur (HE) in another participating country. SGE will implement overall 160 successful business exchanges, involving overall 80 New Entrepreneurs and 80 Host Entrepreneurs. SGE Consortium, covering 10 countries (Spain, Italy, Romania, Poland, Greece, Austria, Malta, Macedonia, Hungary and the Netherlands), builds upon solid relationships with businesses, with a network of over 65.000 SMEs, and on the proven ability in implementing successful transnational business exchanges among innovative SMEs.