A new pan-European campaign aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs will launch in March in key European markets – the UK, Germany, Poland, Italy and Spain — with plans to expand across the continent in subsequent years.
“This is my future” — developed by the European Association of Communications Agencies, a trade group based in Brussels — is designed to provoke and inspire young people to take action for themselves and create a positive self-sustaining movement.
In the United States, entrepreneurship is often seen as key to proving employment when the economy slumps. With a nod to the American’s entrepreneurial spirit, “This is my future” intends to inspire 500,000 new start-up businesses over the next three years and create two million jobs to stimulate much needed growth.
“Young Europeans all have energy and ideas. This initiative offers them a start-up Europe so they can take control of their own destiny,” said Robert Madelin, director general for communications networks, content and technology at the European Commission.
The campaign will include:
— A web site that will gather information and resources for entrepreneurs.
— Inspirational videos by successful young entrepreneurs.
— Cross-European peer-to-peer mentoring to help overcome barriers to start-up.
— A network of young entrepreneurs based in four hubs, initially in four markets, responsible for growing the network and nurturing membership.
— A portal linking to European and national young entrepreneurs, business advice and funding sites.