Youth in Focus: How Entrepreneurship Can Retain Young People in Rural Areas?

Rural communities across Serbia and Croatia face significant challenges: depopulation, lack of job opportunities, and the migration of young people to urban areas. However, with the right tools and support, entrepreneurship can become the key to retaining youth and fostering the development of rural areas. Discover how in this blog!

Challenges Faced by Youth in Rural Areas and Why Entrepreneurship?

When we think of life in rural areas, we often imagine nature, tranquility, and a slower pace of life. However, for many young people, it’s a reality filled with challenges. Milena, a 25-year-old from a small village in Vojvodina, dreams of starting her own organic food production business. Yet, she faces obstacles like poor internet access, limited market opportunities, and a lack of entrepreneurial support.

Similar stories are heard across Serbia and Croatia—young people want to stay and contribute to their communities’ development but lack the resources or knowledge to make it happen. Moving to cities often feels like the only solution.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just a way to earn money—it’s an opportunity for young people to use their talent, skills, and hard work to create value and directly contribute to their communities. For instance, Milan left his city job to return to his village and start a small fruit processing business. Today, he not only earns enough for himself but also employs two neighbors and works on improving local infrastructure.

Entrepreneurship brings independence, the chance to do what you love, and the opportunity to create jobs for others. Supported by innovation and technology, it can transform rural communities from agriculture-based economies into more diverse ones.

How Support Can Make a Difference?

With accessible support and resources, young people can identify and leverage the potential of their surroundings. As part of the YES DO IT project, a hackathon will be organized in the upcoming period, providing an opportunity to showcase and develop ideas. The hackathon will also offer mentorship, where young people will learn how to create business plans, along with networking opportunities.

Support can come in various forms: educational—through workshops and training, technological—through digital platforms and tools, or network-based—by connecting with other entrepreneurs and experts. Projects like this empower young people to overcome barriers and develop their businesses.

Opportunities for Innovation in Rural Areas

Rural areas are no longer limited to agriculture. Today, digital technologies open doors to new industries. There are countless examples of successful businesses started with minimal investments, eco-oriented, and led by young people—true powerhouses of change! Thanks to social media, products can reach customers across Europe.

Innovations like eco-tourism, digital agriculture, and the green economy allow young people to combine tradition with modern technologies, creating sustainable jobs that can attract future generations.

If you’re a young person thinking about starting a business, here are the steps:

• Start with research: What are the potentials of your environment? What resources are available to you?
• Connect with organizations: Join the ecological society “Zeleni Sad,” the European Youth Center of Vojvodina (EOCV), or the Youth Center of Dalj within the YES DO IT project for more information on training and support.
• Be open to learning new skills, especially in technology and digital marketing.
• Consider collaboration: Working with other young entrepreneurs can bring new ideas and resources.
• Entrepreneurship isn’t an easy path, but with the right support, it can become a powerful tool for retaining young people in rural communities. By investing in knowledge, networking, and innovation, we not only help young people achieve their dreams but also build stronger and more resilient communities. Entrepreneurship in rural areas isn’t a challenge—it’s an opportunity. Embrace it!

The Project “Young Entrepreneurs Strength – DO IT” – (YES DO IT) is co-funded through the Interreg IPA CBC Croatia-Serbia program. The project is led by the European Youth Center of Vojvodina, with partners including the ecological society “Zeleni Sad” and the Youth Center Dalj.

The project duration is 15 months, with a total value of €258,866.00, of which the European Union provides co-funding of €220,036.00.