SMP-COSME-2026-EYE – Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

BENEFICIARY ENTITIES

• Public or private entities with legal personality

• Business support organisations (e.g. business associations, incubators, technology parks, entrepreneurship centres)

• Chambers of commerce and industry

• Public entities with competences in economic development

• Higher education institutions or vocational training providers with relevant activity in SME support

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA

• European Union Member States

• Countries associated with the Single Market Programme

• Third-country partners: Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom and United States (only as host countries for host entrepreneurs)

ELIGIBLE ACTIONS

• Promotion and dissemination of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme

• Recruitment and selection of new entrepreneurs and host entrepreneurs

• Assessment of applications and eligibility checks

• Matching and management of relationships between new and host entrepreneurs

• Management of agreements and financial support to new entrepreneurs

• Preparation, monitoring and follow-up of mobilities

• Networking activities, cooperation and participation in the EYE network

• After-care services and integration into European networks (e.g. EEN, clusters)

MINIMUM MATURITY

• Consortia of between 5 and 10 entities, from at least 4 different countries

• Previous experience in SME support and entrepreneurship

• Specific EYE experience requirements for coordinators and consortia, differentiating “small” and “large” projects

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

• Each entity may participate in only one application

• At least 55% of the budget must be allocated to financial support to third parties (new entrepreneurs)

• Mandatory compliance with the EYE Quality Manual

• Mandatory inclusion of digital and/or sustainable business models and promotion of gender balance

ELIGIBLE COSTS

• Staff costs

• Travel and subsistence

• Purchase of goods and services necessary for the project

• Financial support to third parties (new entrepreneurs)

• Indirect costs (flat rate of 7%)

Not eligible: costs outside the scope of the project, websites dedicated exclusively to the project, unjustified costs or costs incurred before the project start date.

ELIGIBILITY PERIOD

From 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028

IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD

24 months

FUNDING

Funding rate:

• 100% for financial support to third parties

• 75% for other eligible costs

Project types:

• Small: up to €750,000 (minimum 175 relationships)

• Large: €750,000 to €1,500,000 (minimum 350 relationships)

CALL BUDGET

€20,000,000 (with the possibility of an increase of up to +20%)