YES – European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs is the main association of young entrepreneurs in Europe (representing around 40.000 young entrepreneurs under 40 years old).

It aims at improving the economic and social performance of young entrepreneurship in Europe. Its members include the major national associations of young entrepreneurs in the field of industry, trade and services from 16 countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine.

YES actively contributes to the promotion of the entrepreneural spirit in Europe and outside. It stimulates exchanges and network activity between young entrepreneurs, fosters cooperation and sharing of best practices among their national associations, particularly in the fields of education and training.

Our Objectives:

YES maintains an ongoing dialogue with the Institutions of the European Union in order to:

• Ensure that European Union initiatives reflect the entrepreneurial spirit in Europe;
• Promote policy measures that will facilitate business activities for young entrepreneurs;
• Collaboration with public authorities on the simplification of the business environment;
• Ensure that the conditions for establishing enterprises in the European Union remain homogeneous and favourable;
• Compare and assess the impact of the Internal Market measures on enterprises in the Member States;
• Foster easier access to information on European policy for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe;
• Encourage policies that will favour co-operation between different generations of entrepreneurs;
• Take a more active part in political debates and economic projects that aim at promoting European Entrepreneurship worldwide.

YES fosters business co-operation and networking activities between young entrepreneurs by:

• Promoting exchanges of professional experiences;
• Developing a network of business regional co-ordinators in Europe that will enliven co-operation and support transnational projects;
• Establishing synergies within other networks in Europe that encourage business cooperation between entrepreneurs;
• Organising meetings between young entrepreneurs, such as the YES Annual Summit.

YES has established links with entrepreneurial organisations in Europe and elsewhere in order to:

• Support the creation of young entrepreneurs organisations in developing countries;
• Foster exchanges and relationships between young entrepreneurs all over the world.

Our Principles:

• YES supports the concept of an independent free enterprise system based on the principle of private ownership within the framework of a social market economy.
• YES confirms that free competition rules, which prohibit individual enterprises from dominating the market, are fundamental elements of the private and free enterprise system.
• YES acknowledges the fact that protection of the environment is an important social function for enterprises as well as for individuals.
• YES accepts the entrepreneurs' commitment to cooperate with employees to contribute to economic, political and social development within our society.
• YES agrees to work towards the goal of free world trade.