SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A TOOL FOR ADDRESSING REGIONAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES: THE CASE OF KARAGANDA REGION

Abstract

This study analyzes the role of social entrepreneurship as a key tool for addressing regional socio-economic challenges. In the current context, where the search for innovative mechanisms to solve social problems is particularly relevant, social entrepreneurship is social vulnerability. The study focuses on the Karaganda region, an industrially developed area with a high level of urbanization and a significant share of socially vulnerable groups. Developing social entrepreneurship in the region is crucial for diversifying the economy, expanding employment, and reducing deficits in social infrastructure. However, several socio-economic challenges remain relevant, including the persistence of single-industry towns, youth outmigration, limited employment opportunities in rural areas, and the need to improve access to social services. Increased state support for the third sector, including the adoption of legislation on social entrepreneurship in 2021, the expansion of public-private partnership instruments, and the implementation of state programs for social businesses, has created new opportunities for regional development. Nevertheless, despite available resources and institutional conditions, the Karaganda region has not yet realized the full potential of social entrepreneurship. Therefore, the study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the current state of social entrepreneurship in the region, examining its internal and external factors. The study employed a SWOT analysis to systematically evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of social entrepreneurship. The study aims to identify the key factors influencing the development of social entrepreneurship in the Karaganda region, assess regional characteristics and available potential, and develop recommendations for effectively integrating social entrepreneurship into regional development policy.