Empowering the Next Generation: Youth Engagement in Social Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Youth engagement in social entrepreneurship presents a powerful avenue for addressing contemporary global challenges and fostering sustainable development. This research explores the motivations, challenges, and opportunities shaping the involvement of young individuals in social ventures, with a focus on understanding the role of support mechanisms in facilitating their success. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, we conducted a quantitative survey among 50 young social entrepreneurs, followed by in-depth interviews with 30 participants. Our findings reveal that youth are primarily driven by a desire to create positive social impact, passion for addressing societal challenges, and belief in the potential of entrepreneurship to drive change. However, they face significant challenges such as limited access to funding and regulatory barriers, which vary across socio-economic contexts. Support mechanisms including mentorship, capacity building programs, and access to funding play crucial roles in enhancing the success and sustainability of youth-led social ventures. By bridging gaps in existing literature and offering empirical insights, this research contributes to the discourse on youth empowerment and social entrepreneurship, providing evidence-based recommendations for stakeholders across sectors.