Rome, Italy, 26 February, 2010 – Today, the Young Entrepreneurs from Mediterranean, Africa and Middle East and YES-European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs gathered together in Rome for the launching of M.A.M.E. YE Network, the Network of Young Entrepreneurs’ Associations from Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East.

The initiative was started by Confindustria Young Entrepreneurs, the Italian YES Member, and took place in the framework of the 2° Economic Forum of Mediterranean in Rome. 18 Countries were represented including among the others Albania, Angola, Egypt, Greece, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Senegal, Spain, South Africa and Tunisia.

Aim of the Network is to promote dialogue and cooperation among the associations of young entrepreneurs in the targeted countries and also with different actors such as national governments and local authorities. The Network also aims at developing young entrepreneurship through the sharing of best practices and operational tools. This project follows the G8 of Young Entrepreneurs which was held in Stresa on July 2009 and the “Young Entrepreneurs Network” meeting held in Capri on October 2009.

As the outcome of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding for the constitution of the M.A.M.E. YE Network has been signed by 11 representatives of Associations of Young Entrepreneurs. Next meetings of the Network will take place on 8-10 April in Spain (Alicante), 24-25 September in Egypt (Cairo) and 28-29 January in Lebanon (Beirut).

YES-European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs was represented by its President Ivan Sempere, its Vice-Presidents Antimo Caputo and Dimitris Tsigos and the Coordination Manager Chiara de Caro.