Social Entrepreneurship as a Driver for Mountain Youth Empowerment
Abstract ID: 3.8712 | Reviewing | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA
Nicolas Gholam (0)
Nicolas Gholam ((0) Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Dahlmannstr. 30, 10629, Berlin, Berlin, DE)
(0) Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Dahlmannstr. 30, 10629, Berlin, Berlin, DE
Social Entrepreneurship as a Driver for Mountain Youth Empowerment
Assessing the Infrastructure for Sustainable Rural Enterprises
Context & Background
Mountain youth across various regions face significant socio-economic challenges, often leading to migration, disengagement, or a state of learned helplessness. While many rural development initiatives focus on job creation, few acknowledge the potential of social entrepreneurship as a mechanism for youth empowerment. Social entrepreneurship offers a dual approach: addressing local issues while fostering self-sufficiency, yet its success is largely dependent on the available support infrastructure. In recent years, Lebanon has seen an expansion of rural incubators and enterprise hubs, bridging the gap between urban-based entrepreneurship ecosystems and remote communities. However, this model remains largely absent in other mountainous regions, leaving a void in entrepreneurial engagement.
Objectives of the Study
This research seeks to analyze the extent to which mountain regions provide an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs to establish community-driven enterprises. It will examine the availability of financial, technical, and mentorship support, comparing case studies from Lebanon with other mountain economies. The study will also explore the systemic barriers limiting youth access to these resources and propose pathways for scaling successful models.
Methodology
Using a comparative analysis framework, the study will assess rural entrepreneurial ecosystems across selected mountain regions. Data will be collected through interviews with entrepreneurs, incubator managers, and policymakers, alongside a review of existing policies that support rural enterprise development. The research will integrate the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) to evaluate how entrepreneurship influences human, social, and financial capital within these communities.
Expected Outcomes
Findings will outline the structural gaps in fostering mountain-based entrepreneurship and propose a roadmap for scaling support systems. The research will serve as a foundation for the workshop discussions, aiming to generate actionable recommendations for developing rural incubators and enterprise hubs in mountain areas worldwide.
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