Support from İMSAD for Young Entrepreneurs

Turkey Building Materials Association (Türkiye İMSAD), serving as an intermediary institution in the European Union-funded 'Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs' programme, has taken action to support new entrepreneurs seeking to gain knowledge and experience abroad. Türkiye İMSAD Chairman Tayfun Küçükoğlu, noting their objective to contribute to the development of new entrepreneurs in the sector, stated: "Entrepreneurs participating in this programme have the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience alongside a mentor in their chosen European country, as well as to collaborate with foreign partners and familiarize themselves with new markets in Europe." Türkiye İMSAD, the umbrella organization of Turkey's building materials sector, has joined the 'Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs' programme, which provides cross-border exchange opportunities between new and experienced entrepreneurs across Europe, as an intermediary institution to enable entrepreneurs in the sector to benefit from it.

Young entrepreneurs more motivated

Türkiye İMSAD Board Chairman Tayfun Küçüoğlu, emphasizing that entrepreneurs participating in the programme have the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience abroad, collaborate with foreign partners and familiarize themselves with new markets in Europe, said: "Through this programme, both new entrepreneurs and experienced entrepreneurs acting as mentors benefit from each other's innovative perspectives. Our sector's entrepreneurs are more active and motivated than their counterparts in European Union countries when it comes to converting new ideas into business models. Current support may be less than in Europe, but Turkey's entrepreneurial spirit is in much better shape than Europe." Tayfun Küçüoğlu, noting their objective to support young entrepreneurs, said: "The importance of entrepreneurship for our country's development is extremely significant. Despite our people having a high level of entrepreneurial intent, the success rate, level and sustainability of ventures must certainly improve. As Türkiye İMSAD, we believe that our country, which has great development potential, will achieve rapid progress in all areas. Our aim is to provide critical support to our citizens who have entrepreneurial intent and plans, and to increase their contributions to our country's development."  

New entrepreneur receives answers to their questions on site

Under the 'Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs' programme, a cross-border exchange scheme, individuals with a business idea, start-ups and newly established micro and small businesses are supported. The process works as follows in the 'Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs' programme: An entrepreneur who wishes to develop themselves or has a new idea in their area of expertise submits their application with a business plan through an online system, and is then matched through the same online system with another entrepreneur who has previously undertaken similar work to provide mentoring. In this way, they have the opportunity to observe how their mentor manages their business, carries out their work, and solves problems they have faced. They also gain first-hand experience of solutions to problems they may face when establishing their own business in the future. Additionally, they gain practical experience in business management and receive answers to their questions. A participant wishing to strengthen and develop their expertise by receiving mentor support in all EU member countries can stay in that country for 1 to 6 months.

Part of accommodation expenses in the host country are covered by the European Commission

Türkiye İMSAD, as the intermediary institution, guides participants from the outset of the process for new entrepreneurs from Turkey to participate in this programme. It provides support in preparing the application and incorporates the entrepreneur into the online system. Participants from Turkey admitted to the system receive support payments in amounts determined by the European Commission to cover part of their accommodation expenses in the country they will be staying in.

Both new and experienced entrepreneurs from our country benefit from the programme

Within the SEE SMART SME's (South Eastern European coalition to cultivate SMART SMEs in Europe) Consortium, of which it is a partner, Türkiye İMSAD not only supports new entrepreneurs from Turkey, but also supports foreign new entrepreneurs seeking mentoring directly from experienced entrepreneurs in Turkey. Experienced entrepreneurs in our country who wish to provide mentoring within this system can also apply to the programme and gain first-hand knowledge and details about their target markets.

Who can participate in the programme?

The European Exchange Programme for Entrepreneurs is open to those planning to start their own business or those who have started a business within the last 3 years. Those planning to start a business based on a suitable business plan and those operating a company as an entrepreneur for less than 3 years can easily apply for the project. There is no sectoral limitation for this programme, and being over 18 years of age is sufficient to participate. Host entrepreneurs can apply to participate in the programme if they are ready to share their knowledge and experience with a new entrepreneur from European countries and act as a mentor. To participate in this win-win model programme where both parties can discover target markets, business partners and different ways of doing business, and gain experience with problem solutions before encountering them, you can contact [email protected]. For more information on participation conditions, you can refer to the programme guide (English).