European Economic and Social Committee
Employers' Group
Recommendations of the fourth annual
Young European Entrepreneurs' Seminar, 6-7 Dec. 2012
The participants in the four workshops called for specific recommendations to enhance the
opportunities for young people to start and run a company in Europe:
1. Entrepreneurship for Everyone
- Brand entrepreneurship as a career path for all ages and genders
- Introduce in schools/universities entrepreneurship and mentorship programs that develop
practical skills
- Bring young people to the businesses: internships and exchange programmes
- Associations of young entrepreneurs: use them to handle available investment funds
earmarked for start-ups/entrepreneurs, instead of local banks
- Promote entrepreneurship associations at the local level
2. Market Access, Access to Finance, Business Environment
- Same rules to establish a company in the EU – fast and cheap
- European Company Statute for SMEs
- Simplification of tenders & public procurement; idem of administration procedures
- More transparency in the start-up, tender, funding processes
- Banks to guarantee European start-ups in order for them to take part in larger tenders
- Common EU laws with increased protection of entrepreneurs; favourable labour law
- Favourable IP Management
- Enable entrepreneurs to be eligible for new funding after bankruptcy
- Give a level of flexibility when hiring the first couple of employees; especially for risky sectors
- Less bureaucracy in relation to European funds; receive the funds faster
3. Ensure Sustainability of Responsible Businesses
- Establish a new culture of responsible business attitude; motto "I am responsible!"
- Create a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurship and start-up community at the local level
- The European Commission should identify and finance local entrepreneurship enablers
- Share information through a two-way communication channel - communicating directly to local
businesses though a web platform
4. Promote Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship on the Agenda
- Include entrepreneurship on the EU agenda; promote EU entrepreneurship as a long-term vision;
adapt the priorities according to the real needs of entrepreneurs via direct and frequent
communication between the EC and entrepreneurs
- Develop the entrepreneurial spirit; raise awareness in schools at all levels
- Improve communication between entrepreneurs and governments
- Collect existing business ideas and key rules to succeed; share best practices
- Create a common handbook/dictionary for organisations promoting entrepreneurship
- Organise regular meetings/networking between existing and potential entrepreneurs to share
experiences
Visibility of Entrepreneurs
- Promote entrepreneurship in the public spotlight (media, social media)
- Organize an annual nomination/entrepreneurship awards ceremony, broadcast by multiple
international media globally
- Make it possible for entrepreneurs across Europe to contact each other so they can learn from
each other
- Guide/enable entrepreneurs to be envoys: be a role model; join and promote local organizations;
be the change they want to see; build their personal brand; become the media via social
networking; be proud of what they do
For more information, please contact the Employers' Group of the EESC: gr1@eesc.europa.eu
Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99 — 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel — BELGIQUE/BELGIË
Tel. +32 25469567 — Fax +32 25469754 — Internet: www.eesc.europa.eu/employers-group
EN