Digital Entrepreneurship Competencies: Empowering Rural Youth through Microcredentials

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyse the impact of microcredentials-based training on the development of digital competencies among young people living in rural areas. The authors hypothesise that participation in microcredential-based training significantly improves digital and entrepreneurial competencies, as well as self-confidence and initiative among rural youth. The research seeks to understand how acquiring such competencies affects young people’s attitudes toward entrepreneurship and their ability to apply digital tools effectively. Additionally, the study aims to identify how the integration of these two domains – digital competences and entrepreneurship – can contribute to reducing the competences and employment gap in rural regions. The study involves a sample of 200 young people (aged 18–30) from rural areas, who are mainly at the early stages of their professional careers and have limited access to digital resources and/or entrepreneurial education. Participants are engaged in training modules focused on entrepreneurship and digital competencies, allowing for the assessment of the impact of such training on both their personal and professional development. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining survey questionnaires and comparative analyses to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. The survey questionnaires explore participants’ experiences and perceptions of entrepreneurship and the use of digital tools, while the comparative analyses allow for evaluation of the effectiveness of the training in shaping attitudes among rural young people. The research provides insights into the effectiveness of microcredential-based training in enhancing digital and entrepreneurial competences. It contributes to a better understanding of how these competencies influence the potential career development of young people in rural communities. The innovative aspect of this research lies in the application of microcredentials – modern, modular form of learning – in the context of rural youth, while integrating two critical areas: digital competencies and entrepreneurship. This is the first study of its kind to explore this intersection from an academic perspective, offering new insights into the transformative potential of competence development for rural economies.