THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY BUSINESS IN ENHANCING SOCIAL INCLUSION

Abstract

The study aims to identify the role of community business in the context of social inclusion. To achieve the objective, two tasks were solved: the legal framework of the EU and the Republic of Lithuania and support mechanisms for the development of community business in the context of social inclusion were analysed; community business development initiatives promoting social inclusion in Kaunas district were analysed. The research methods were used: scientific literature analysis, analysis of strategic and legal documents, case comparison methods of analysis and synthesis of community business documents. It was found that community business initiatives in Kaunas district promote sustainable rural development, leverage local resources and respond to community needs. Community business in Kaunas district covers a wide range of activities, and methods of increasing children's employment, social skills formation, employment enhancement, social rehabilitation of the disabled and the elderly, increasing accessibility of services in the locality, etc. are used to strengthen social inclusion. Community businesses in rural areas of Kaunas district develop and implement social innovations - cooking and bio-waste technologies, rehabilitation services, etc.