Beyond EYE: boosting entrepreneurship through international mobility

The Technological Institute of the Canary Islands (ITC), attached to the Ministry of Universities, Science and Innovation of the Government of the Canary Islands led by Migdalia Machín, announces the launch of the European project Beyond EYE, an ambitious initiative that expands the current Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) mobility programme destination catalogue to four countries outside the EU single market: United Kingdom, Canada, United States and Singapore. This initiative, funded by the European Commission with more than 1,160,000 euros, will allow novice entrepreneurs to stay in companies in these countries to strengthen their business skills and explore new markets.

The Beyond EYE initiative will operate in parallel and in a complementary way to the transnational activity offered by Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs in the European framework, already consolidated among new entrepreneurs looking for the possibility of learning from experienced entrepreneurs in countries adhered to the program. Since 2009, the ITC acts as an intermediary office facilitating the participation of entrepreneurs and companies in this program, consolidating itself as one of the most active entities in its execution.

With Beyond EYE, ITC goes a step further in internationalizing the program, coordinating an international consortium that brings together six intermediary offices from Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal and Greece. This new stage extends the scope of the programme to four new strategic destinations outside Europe, identified for their potential to open up business opportunities.

Beyond EYE aims to promote the training of entrepreneurs in dynamic and highly competitive environments, and places special emphasis on the creation of more sustainable, digital and resilient companies, generating business synergies between sending and receiving countries. Exchanges in these new destinations will last between 1 and 3 months, during which participants will receive a monthly financial aid of between 1,050 and 1,200 euros, depending on the country of destination.

Host companies in these international markets belong to key sectors such as technology in the United States or renewable energy in Canada, and also offer the opportunity to build commercial bridges thanks to Singapore's strategic position in Asia or the United Kingdom as an economic partner of the European Union. Through these experiences, with the help of professionals, entrepreneurs will be able to acquire specialized knowledge and establish contact networks that enhance the growth and sustainability of their projects.

The ITC, in its role as coordinator, will ensure the effectiveness of the exchanges and strengthen synergies with other European initiatives, such as the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), focused on the internationalization of Canarian SMEs and linking common actions with Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs.

The Technological Institute of the Canary Islands opens the call to receive applications from entrepreneurs interested in participating in the Beyond EYE program, multiplying the opportunities to develop and test a business model or pilot with professionals in the new destinations. Candidates can be entrepreneurs with a business in their first three years of life or people with a clear and viable business idea. Companies with consolidated activity are also encouraged to apply as hostesses, to share their experience and benefit from emerging talent.

This initiative is part of the European Union programmes managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) in the areas of support for SMEs and innovation ecosystems; Among its priorities is to strengthen the dynamization of the business fabric, offering opportunities for the expansion and consolidation of businesses globally, and promoting the impact of entrepreneurial projects.

Original information published on the Government of the Canary Islands News Portal on 11 February 2025. You can read it here.