Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Disadvantaged Rural Communities

Entrepreneurial opportunities in disadvantaged rural communities offer a path to economic development, reduced poverty, and sustainable growth in areas often overlooked by traditional industries. These communities, though facing challenges such as limited access to resources and infrastructure, have untapped potential. By fostering innovative solutions, entrepreneurs can address pressing issues such as food security, employment, and education, while creating values that benefit both the community and the economy. Supporting rural entrepreneurship through tailored policies, technology access, and capacity-building can empower individuals to take ownership of their future and create resilient, self-sustaining enterprises. Further research may highlight areas overlooked by current support programs. Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Disadvantaged Rural Communities explores the economic, social and environmental sustainability of enterprises in disadvantaged rural contexts. It focuses on identifying and cultivating entrepreneurial opportunities that are economically viable and socially and environmentally responsible, offering a path towards a more inclusive and equitable rural economy.

Dr. Sotiris Apostolopoulos is a Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Development at the University of Neapolis (Paphos, Cyprus). He also acts as Coordinator of the Undergraduate Programs in Business Administration & Digital Business of the Department of Economics and Business for the same University. He holds a PhD degree from the School of Management of University of the Peloponnese and two Master's degrees (MSc) in Healthcare Administration and in Finance as well. He specialises in rural entrepreneurship, European policies and the socio-economic development of the rural areas with emphasis on private and social health enterprises. His research interests focus on local development, European policies, private and social enterprises as well as on innovation. He has many years' experience working in the management of private companies. He served as Head of Communication and Public Relations of the Marketing Department of the Rehabilitation & Recovery Center "Diaplasis" in Greece and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the largest regional private hospital "City Hospital" of the Peloponnese Region. His research articles have been published in major scientific journals by publishers such as Wiley, Emerald, MDPI, while he has participated in studies that were included and published as book chapters in edited volumes (IGI Global, Eburon, etc.). In parallel, he has taken part through research work in international and European conferences on Economics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation held in Greece, Cyprus, UK, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Montenegro. He has experience in submitting and implementing proposals related to European programmes. Recently, the World Health Organization included in its official database two research papers of Sotiris (co-author), concerning the rural health enterprises during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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