THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL BUSINESS ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS

Abstract

There is no need to doubt the possibilities of social business in the European Union as the most responsive tool for solving the problems of complex societies. Their influence on the development of the social economy and the sustainable development of regions is constantly emphasized in the published European Union communiqués, examined and discussed in various scientific articles, but, regardless of the efforts made, Lithuania faces greater or lesser challenges in the implementation of sustainable development goals, which forces us to look for ways and solutions to to deal with them.

The purpose of this article is to identify and reveal the characteristics of social business and its impact on the sustainable development of rural areas.

The analysis of survey data of developing social and community businesses used in the study showed how these business models can influence sustainable development in rural areas. The analysis of the added value provided by the social businesses that participated in the study in the social, material and environmental spheres according to the selected indicators reveals the positive influence of social business on the sustainable development of rural areas, but further research analysis is needed to help determine what challenges organizations face when conducting social and community businesses in rural areas and what opportunities could encourage them to contribute more effectively to the sustainable development of rural areas.