Young Entrepreneurs 2023

Young Entrepreneurs 2023

  • Norway
  • 10.09.2023 - 18.11.2023
  • 16:00 - 11:00
About the program

The Young Entrepreneurs Program is a business-educational program that aims to bring together ambitious business-minded Norwegians and Ukrainians with one thing in common: an interest in learning more about the Ukrainian and Norwegian markets combined with a passion for entrepreneurship and international business.

This year will be a special year for our Young Entrepreneurs with a particular focus on how to support Ukraine through the aspects of business and trade right now – but also a dive into the prospects of Ukrainian rebuilding efforts. The program will establish four groups working on business assignments while visiting three different cities: Oslo, Bergen, and Warsaw. We are looking for 20 participants from Norway and Ukraine who are eager to explore possibilities and look for business opportunities within:

  • Food & Beverages 
  • Industrial Production (boats, vehicles, transport equipment, consumer drones, etc.) 
  • Light Manufacturing (textiles, furniture, packaging, consumer goods, etc.)
  • Tech/Software solutions 

There is a substantial potential for increased imports, especially within manufactured goods and agricultural products, that would benefit Ukraine now and rebuilding-wise in the long term.

This year’s assignment will focus specifically on identifying Ukrainian suppliers and connecting them with Norwegian buyers to increase Ukrainian imports to Norway. The participants will obtain a broader understanding of the Norwegian market and how to enter it, and simultaneously explore the Ukrainian supply side through the optics of the current situation and future aspects of Ukraine’s further integration into the EU.

The program has two parts:

  • The first part in Bergen and Oslo: September 10-16
  • The second part in Warsaw: November 12-18

Both sessions are mandatory, and there is a requirement for 80% compulsory attendance. During the program we will meet with authorities, visit relevant companies and organizations. In addition, the participants will have to work with their assigments (in groups) between the sessions. The results from the group work will be presented to a jury during the second part in Warsaw. 

By participating in our program, you will increase your cultural knowledge and international business understanding and obtain the tools needed to create value that will benefit both Ukraine and Norway – and you as a successful entrepreneur. You will also become a part of YE Alumni network and make friends for life.

Overarching goals:

  • Exchange of Norwegian-Ukrainian knowledge and competence
  • Research on the current status of Norwegian and Ukrainian markets identifying business opportunities
  • Contribution to the development of democracy and an international economy
  • Building a cross-border network between entrepreneurs, businesses, and university professors from Norway and Ukraine
  • Facilitation of cross-border business partnerships
  • A broader understanding of Ukraine’s further integration into the EU

If you’re business minded and wish to explore the benefits of support through economic value creation, we’d love to have an interview with you!

Register now by hitting the blue “Registration” button on the right and upload your CV and Motivation Letter.


The application deadline is May 21, 2023, at 23:59 Oslo time.
Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

All applicants will be notified in the written form of either of the decisions by June 25, 2023


The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a general sponsor of the Young Entrepreneurs program.

Participation fee:

Thanks to a Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs grant, NUCC will cover all program-related expenses, including travel costs, accommodation, social activities, and meals.

Transportation to/from the closest international airport and travel insurance, visa application fee (if needed), and personal expenses are to be covered by each participant. This also applies if you want to extend your stay in any of the places in Norway.

Useful links:

Statements from previous participants

Mehreen - participant 2016
"The Young Entrepreneurs program has been one of the most fulfilling programs I have participated in. I have been able to learn so much about Ukrainian culture, business environment, geo-political landscape and challenges in a short sp…

"The Young Entrepreneurs program has been one of the most fulfilling programs I have participated in. I have been able to learn so much about Ukrainian culture, business environment, geo-political landscape and challenges in a short span of time. The program has been great in terms of meeting inspiring and passionate people with new ideas, eager to lift Ukraine up economically and achieve great things.

I think what worked best was bringing people together from both countries and giving them a combined cultural and academic experience in different places, both in Ukraine and Norway. I felt we were able to learn new ideas and see their implementation in real life through classroom lectures and company visits. Not the least, the friendships will go a long way in future to build further".

Viktoriya - participant 2016
"Being part of the "Young Entrepreneurs" was a unique experience for me, both professionally and socially. When I applied my expectations were limited to learning how to make right business choices in conducting international busine…

"Being part of the "Young Entrepreneurs" was a unique experience for me, both professionally and socially. When I applied my expectations were limited to learning how to make right business choices in conducting international business operations, work in groups and develop real business plans. Five months later I gained priceless knowledge, skills and experience. I found myself among inspiring role models, people who share the same interests and values.

"Young Entrepreneurs" offers a glimpse into numerous businesses – that is what makes it so special for young and creative entrepreneurs! Great teamwork, tight-knit agenda, opportunity to meet amazing people, not to mention unbelievable nature and chance to get to know Norwegian culture – sounds incredible, doesn’t it? Participation in the Programme helped to identify my strong sides and my weaknesses which gave me right directions on how to further develop in business. Even though YEP 2016 is over, I am looking forward to cooperate and build constructive dialogue between Ukraine and Norway. Thank you for unforgettable moments of my life!"

Alex - participant 2015
"The Young Entrepreneurs Program, was a fantastic experience! I had a chance to visit one of the most developed countries in the world – Norway, and learnt how to make business with companies from there. It was rewarding and exciting…

"The Young Entrepreneurs Program, was a fantastic experience! I had a chance to visit one of the most developed countries in the world – Norway, and learnt how to make business with companies from there. It was rewarding and exciting to be a part of the team of exceptionally talented people from Ukraine and Norway – some of them had their own up-and-running international business, some achieved outstanding professional results.

What made our experience really unforgettable was the high-level organization of this program – top-notch management and attention to every detail were key factors in delivering a successful result"

Iaroslav - participant 2017
“Participation in Young Entrepreneurs Program gave me a wonderful opportunity to both meet peers who act as role models in Ukraine and Norway and get a deeper insight into the Norwegian business culture. I feel very honored to have become…

“Participation in Young Entrepreneurs Program gave me a wonderful opportunity to both meet peers who act as role models in Ukraine and Norway and get a deeper insight into the Norwegian business culture. I feel very honored to have become a part of a growing network of young Norwegian and Ukrainian entrepreneurs who will undoubtedly change the life in their countries, or maybe even worldwide, for the better.

 

It was a great experience for me to listen to the policy makers in both countries, to the businessmen and government officials as well as academicians, but I believe I will be correct if I say the visits of the functioning enterprises was one of those experiences you keep in mind for the rest of your life. I was also quite excited to be one of the speakers in Ukraine and share my professional legal experience with the marvelous and inspiring audience.

 

I am really grateful to all people who came up with the idea of such a program and make it happen every year! I believe cooperation between young entrepreneurs from both countries will be much more fruitful as within two weeks of personal contacts and weeks of preparation of the sector presentations we became close friends and started to understand each other’s mentality way better!”

 

Monica - participant 2016
"I applied for the Young Entrepreneurs program based on my previous experiences with working in Ukraine. I was hungry for new opportunities to involve in projects with this country full of inspiring young people and interesting busine…

"I applied for the Young Entrepreneurs program based on my previous experiences with working in Ukraine. I was hungry for new opportunities to involve in projects with this country full of inspiring young people and interesting businesses. NUCC gave me the chance to explore more of Ukraine and its people, and I am forever grateful. The participants, program and organizers held a very high level of skills.

I have learned more about how to do business in both of our countries, and also got new friends I hope I will know the rest of my life. From Young Entrepreneurs I have gained more than I ever imagined, both on a personal level as well as in a business context"

Fredrik - participant 2018
"Throughout this program I’ve been lucky enough to not only learn about, but to see, meet and explore a new culture and opportunities. The NUCC Young entrepreneurs Program gave me an in depth understanding of how trade, politics and busin…

"Throughout this program I’ve been lucky enough to not only learn about, but to see, meet and explore a new culture and opportunities. The NUCC Young entrepreneurs Program gave me an in depth understanding of how trade, politics and business works, between Norway and Ukraine!

We visited top companies, great teachers and met with high authorities in both countries. Not to say the least this program also gave me new friendships that I will always appreciate.

I was thrilled to be a part of NUCC´s Young Entrepreneurs and highly recommend it to all others who seek to learn more about the great opportunities that lies within these two countries!"

Olga - participant 2018
"Young Entrepreneurs Program is not only a great chance to find out possibilities of Norwegian-Ukrainian business, receive information about development business, but also the easiest way to establish useful connections and have challenging…

"Young Entrepreneurs Program is not only a great chance to find out possibilities of Norwegian-Ukrainian business, receive information about development business, but also the easiest way to establish useful connections and have challenging intercultural experience and improvement of own skills and outlook. Participation in YE program was a great challenge for me and chance to improve my theoretical knowledge and receive secret pieces of advice from real experienced entrepreneurs from Ukraine and Norway. On the other hand, I met new people, who became real friends and advisors for work in Energy sphere, in which without contacts you can’t reach success."

Martin - participant 2019
"I am very lucky and grateful to have been part of the Young Entrepreneurs Program 2019 as it has given me a truly unique opportunity to go deeper into the possibilities of Ukrainian-Norwegian business opportunities, meet and hear f…

"I am very lucky and grateful to have been part of the Young Entrepreneurs Program 2019 as it has given me a truly unique opportunity to go deeper into the possibilities of Ukrainian-Norwegian business opportunities, meet and hear fail- and success stories of similar businesses and at the same time gain new friends and have a lot of fun! I became better acquainted with my own work culture as well as Ukrainian, and I am left with a wide network and potential partners in all industries. I would highly recommend the program to anyone who has the opportunity to participate to apply."

Partners

Norwegian Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

The main task of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to secure and promote Norway’s interests internationally. Norway’s interests are determined by such factors as its geographical location in a strategically important area, its open economy, its position as a coastal state and steward of substantial marine resources, and its extensive exports of oil and gas.