The role of EU programmes in stimulating entrepreneurship in rural regions: A viewpoint from Bulgaria

Abstract

The paper aims to examine rural entrepreneurship and the way it is enhanced by the EAFRD programme. The specific focus is on the perceptions and entrepreneurial behaviour of beneficiaries of hospitality and rural tourism projects in Bulgaria. The findings imply that participants demonstrate various entrepreneurship initiatives and call for closer cooperation with the local institutions, in order to maximize the overall effects. Involvement of higher public authorities, or programmes (such as EAFRD) considerably enhances rural entrepreneurship by providing a chance for potential entrepreneurs to start-up their own venture, and by determining general goals, which will affect both people and local institutions.