National Level

The Youth Strategy 2030 is a cornerstone of Spain’s efforts to foster youth entrepreneurship, alongside the Youth Guarantee Plus 2021-2027 programme. These initiatives work to embed entrepreneurship culture into youth education, encouraging young people to take up entrepreneurial ventures through training and financial support

The National Contest of Young Entrepreneurs (Certamen Nacional de Jóvenes Emprendedores), organised by the Youth Institute, continues to support young innovators  (under 35 ) by providing them with the opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas and gain recognition, mentorship, and funding for their projects.

The Spain as an Entrepreneurial Nation Strategy (2015) continues to promote collaboration between educational institutions (including vocational training centres, universities and research institutes) and emerging companies. Recent initiatives have strengthened the transfer of technological knowledge between universities and businesses, supporting start-ups in high-tech sectors like AI, green tech, and digital industries.

Additionally, the recent Startups Law(Ley 28/2022 de Fomento del Ecosistema de Empresas Emergentes) provides new support mechanisms for start-ups, including tax breaks, financial incentives, and reduced bureaucratic barriers.

The Promotion and Services to Youth Programme (Programa Promoción y Servicios a la Juventud), also plays a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurial culture in Spain. By offering training and support for young entrepreneurs, the programme aims to create an environment where youth are empowered to take on entrepreneurial ventures and contribute to the growth of innovative start-ups.

The ‘Somos tu impulso’ programme, launched by INJUVE in partnership with Acción contra el Hambre, provides critical support for young social entrepreneurs. This initiative helps youth aged 18-35 who are interested in launching social entrepreneurship projects by providing training, mentorship, and financial support, encouraging them to create businesses that tackle social issues.

Regional Level

Across Spain, the Autonomous Regions continue to be key drivers of youth entrepreneurship culture, launching region-specific initiatives to foster entrepreneurial mindsets among youth. These initiatives are aligned with national objectives but tailored to local needs and sectors. 

Examples of regional programmes include:

• Asturias Entrepreneurship Programme (Programa de emprendimiento de Asturias): Supports youth entrepreneurship through mentoring, training, and start-up funding for young entrepreneurs in Asturias.
• Youth Entrepreneurship Itineraries in the Basque Country 2023 (Itinerarios de Emprendimiento Juvenil en Euskadi 2023): Offers a step-by-step pathway from idea development to market entry, providing financial and technical support for youth-led start-ups.
• Laboratorio Fémina Cantabria Women Entrepreneurship Programme (Programa Laboratorio Fémina Cantabria Mujer Emprendedora): Focuses on encouraging women entrepreneurs by providing workshops, mentorship, and funding opportunities to launch and grow businesses. It specifically targets female youth interested in starting businesses in traditionally male-dominated sectors like tech and engineering.
• Andalusia Programme "Programa Innovactiva" (Programa de Andalucía “Programa Innovactiva”): The Andalusian government provides financial support and mentoring for youth-led businesses, particularly in innovative sectors like green tech and digital solutions. This programme aims to create new business opportunities and facilitate the growth of start-ups in Andalusia.