Development of Entrepreneurship in Lithuania: Becoming Social Entrepreneurs

Scopus ID 2-s2.0-85029046152The purpose of this chapter is to analyze the situation of social entrepreneurship in Lithuania, emphasizing its policy and practice in the European Union (EU) context, striving for youth involvement in becoming social entrepreneurs. The current situation raises the need in deeper scientific research and discussion in this field. The latest research works in the theme are rather rare in Lithuania and call for special scientific attention to develop the research on social entrepreneurship about Lithuanian situation. The economic and social challenges demand special and innovative measures in small state case as Lithuania. In the chapter social entrepreneurship and its policy in European Union (EU) and Lithuania is analyzed. The analyzed object requires special interest because it might be the key to the country’s economy growth and competitiveness. In the chapter the main aspects of social entrepreneurship concept are presented. The complexity and meaning of phenomena is discussed. Later, the main political initiatives and legal documents concerning social entrepreneurship in Lithuania are analyzed. Special attention is paid for young people involvement in entrepreneurial activity creating social enterprises. Some empirical evidence about Lithuanian students’ thoughts implementing entrepreneurial activity is presented and overall recommendations how to improve situation revealed, including political initiatives, social entrepreneurship’s education and culture development attracting and motivating young people to become social entrepreneurs are discussed. Revelation of special situation and problems for social entrepreneurship development in Lithuania foster attention for acting in all levels of interest: state, business, and societyVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij