ESC lanceert netwerk voor jonge Europese ondernemers (en)

YOUNG EUROPEAN ENTREPRENEUR AMBASSADORS

Europe needs to give more support to young entrepreneurs by establishing a permanent dialogue with the E uropean E conomic and S ocial C ommittee ( EESC ) lau n ching a network of Young European Entrepreneur Ambassadors, creating a one-stop shop for access to financing and by promoting exports to third countries. These were the main requests formulated by m ore than 20 young entrepreneurs gathered for a two-da y training seminar at the EESC.

"Europe can help business and stimulate entrepreneurship", noted Henri Malosse, President of the Employers' Group hosting the event, adding that young entrepreneurs should get involved in civil debates at the European level.

Sandra Miegl founder of Start Vienna, an organisation which helps young entrepreneurs, argued that Europe and Europeans needed to change their attitudes towards success and failure. "In the United States, you have to fail three times to get a credit, whereas in Europe, if you fail once you never get a credit" she added. Everyone should be entitled to a pot of money to start a business, noted EESC member Madi Sharma . "But if you cannot have a positive attitude towards success in your own country, how could you have it in Europe?" she wondered.

Vice President of the Employers' Group Brenda King felt that both young and new entrepreneurs sometimes failed to understand how the European institutions could help them. Florin Jianu, President of the Young Entrepreneur Association from Romania, stated that "When we meet with the EESC, we have the strong feeling that we speak the same language". Jeanelle Catania from the Maltese Chamber of Commerce felt that business skills education was a key factor for success.

One key challenge facing European companies was how to export their products outside the EU. "It is not only about learning to adapt your business plan, it is more about approaching a new culture. You have got to look for the invisible", said Franceso Fiore, one of the participants in an EU-Japan cooperation programme. Arie Vos, trainer in Japanese business manners believed that a lack of legislation coordination inside the EU was also bad for export. "Starting a business can take three days in Germany, up to two years in Cyprus" he added. Vice President of the Employers' Group Eve Päärendson wanted to encourage young people to have ambitious dreams, and to come out of their comfort zone to realise them.

Chris t i an Weinberger from the European Commission picked up on two concrete recommendations-made by the participants to better promote entrepreneurship among young people and society: launching a network of Young European Entrepreneur Ambassadors and creating a Young Europeans Day to enable a direct dialogue with EU Institutions.

For more information, please contact helene.bertrand@eesc.europa.eu

Or send an e-mail to gr1@eesc.europa.eu

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