There was a kick-off meeting conducted for Project 2014-1-BG01-KA205-001633 “Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Youth (EIY)”, financed under Erasmus+ Programme, Key Action 2 “: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices – Strategic Partnerships in the youth field”. The meeting was held in Sofia and lasted 5 days. Both organizations, which are involved in the project participated in it – “Organization for Scientific and Practical Development of the Students” and the Italian partner – Association “A Rocca”. During the meeting, the organizations discussed, synchronized and admitted an implementation plan. They also designed and signed a partnership agreement.

Representatives from both organizations participated in a press conference, where they presented the results from the kick-off meeting, the goals, the activities and the expected results by the successful implementation of the project.

As a main goal in Project 2014-1-BG01-KA205-001633 “Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Youth (EIY)”, is defined the encouraging of the entrepreneur spirit for a higher employment and initiating of business enterprises, which directly corresponds to the priorities of the Erasmus +.

Specific Goals of the Project are:

• Improving of the basic skill and competences in the field of entrepreneurship;
• Sharing experience and good practices and establishing new business contacts;
• Stimulating of imitativeness and creativity in the young people for starting their own business.

The entrepreneur thinking is a key element of the economic growth and a compulsory

condition for sustainable local and regional development and social rapprochement. To support the development of the entrepreneur competences for starting a new enterprise and for the qualitative implementation of the goals, this project is focusing the following activities:

• Analysis: “Research of the entrepreneurship and the factors for development of youth enterprises”

The analysis will examine the prerequisites for starting and renovating business in Bulgaria and Italy. It will also present the main factors in starting business in both countries: regulatory framework, market conditions, culture and specific characteristics, access to finance (European and national funds).

• Designing and Implementing of 2 exhibitions of Young Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria and Italy

Such events are very suitable for sharing and exchanging of experience, innovative ideas and concepts, as well as to establish useful business contacts. They are a tool for promoting economic and trade relations between the participants.

• Publishing a Guide of the Youth Entrepreneurs

Its basis will be the analysis carried out and good practices of Bulgarian and Italian entrepreneurs shared the exhibitions.

The handbook aims to encourage more young people to recognize entrepreneurship as a possible career path.

The manual will be translated and published in 3 languages – Bulgarian, Italian and English.