Social Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas: Lithuanian Case

Abstract

The research problem lays upon disclosing the importance of role of social entrepreneurship in rural development of Lithuania emphasising the social cohesion and job creation aspects, especially in redirecting agribusiness farms to multifunctional ones. Research aim is to analyse the situation of social entrepreneurship in Lithuania, especially taking in attention rural areas, and propose the possible directions for inclusive and smart development of phenomena in the country helping farmers and land holders to become more successive. Research tasks remain on theoretical and analytical points of social entrepreneurship issues in EU and Lithuania concerning rural areas and their development in terms of potential social entrepreneurs’ involvement as the main engine for social entrepreneurship development. Lithuanian government has made some steps towards development of social enterprises, social entrepreneurship, and social innovation, but the essential one has been made just in 2015. Lithuanian government confirmed concept of social entrepreneurship. The intentions are positive but realisation gains progress just now. The roots of family business go back only above 20 years and has rather poor traditions in Lithuania. It is tightly related to rural areas especially than agriculture economies are acting as family farms and businesses. There is little research on family business in the country. Some traditions might be discovered concerning agriculture and villages. The main support from the government by national programmes was devoted precisely to the young farmers (89,5 percent) Family business is exceptionally entrepreneurial and it might be the future area for social entrepreneurship expression.