Apply for SME Week Youth Essay Competition 2021 LaunchThe European Commission Directorate-General for Single Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship, and SMEs are the joint organizers of the essay contest. SME Week Youth Essay Competition is an opportunity for 18-25-year-olds to share ideas and viewpoints with key figures and stakeholders in the spheres of enterprise, entrepreneurship and SMEs.

Background

Imagine what a successful and sustainable start-up in 2030 looks like? Which crucial competencies and skills do its founders and employees have? What has been the legacy of the COVID pandemic on entrepreneurship, and how have they responded? How have they been supported to meet the twin challenges of digitalization and sustainability?

In your essay, imagine the story of three different entrepreneurs embarking on a journey to become sustainable start-ups of the future. Describe their stories of success, their struggles, their needs, and what key skills and competencies they should have in order to start and grow sustainable, resilient SMEs. The SME Week Youth Essay Competition is launching for the sixth time with a brand new question for the youth of Europe to answer:

“What do SMEs need to become sustainable and resilient in the context of COVID-19 and other global challenges? Think about the competences and skills needed in the future for an entrepreneur, describe three promising and sustainable start-ups in 2030.”

Prizes

SME Week Youth Essay Competition has the following prizes

• An opportunity to attend and present at the SME Assembly for the three finalists; to present their essays to 500+ Assembly delegates.
• Presentation training before delivering essay live at the SME Assembly 2021.
• Promotion of essays across our communication channels.
• A trip to the 2021 SME Assembly in Slovenia.

Rules

• The competition is open to all 18 to 25-year-olds from European Member States or COSME partners countries (see the list).
• Essays should not exceed 2 500 words in length.
• All essays must be in English.
• Only one entry per applicant.
• The deadline for submissions is 26 September 2021.
• The three finalists will be announced in October ahead of SME Week and will compete at a grand finale as part of the SME Assembly, where they will present their essays.
• The public vote will decide the final winner.

See Youth Essay Competition 2021 Terms and Conditions

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