Exploring the Link Between Openness and Entrepreneurial Capacity in Young People: Building Resilient and Sustainable Rural Territories

Youth migration has significant consequences that lead to depopulation and less sustainability of local business, which is particularly pronounced in rural areas. All of this contributes to the potential devastation of rural communities, an impact that could be highly significant and far-reaching. Entrepreneurship and the innovation it brings with it can be important markers for effective rural development if changes are needed. Therefore, the primary objectives of our research were to determine how socio-demographic factors determine the attitudes of young rural people regarding openness to entrepreneurship, whether young rural people believe they have the ability to engage in entrepreneurship and take actionable steps, and what is the relationship between openness and entrepreneurial capacity. The research was conducted from December 2023 to May 2024 among 299 participants in rural areas of two neighboring countries, Serbia and Croatia. The results indicate various factors that influence rural youth’s openness to entrepreneurship, such as unemployment, age and country of origin. Also, the results show a positive correlation between openness to entrepreneurship and the perception of personal capacities for entrepreneurial activities. In addition, the study found significant differences between respondents from Serbia and Croatia in the assessment of personal capacities for entrepreneurial activities. The results of this research contribute to a deeper understanding of how young people perceive and experience life in rural areas, and highlight potential challenges related to their specific needs. This insight enables key stakeholders to design programs that support youth in starting businesses and sustaining entrepreneurial ventures. Furthermore, the study offers both a theoretical and practical basis for future research, serving as a valuable guide for the improvement of rural communities, that is, guidelines for strategies that focus on inclusive development based on the revitalization of social frameworks.