| Abstract | Cilj ovog diplomskog rada bio je istražiti i analizirati izazove i mogućnosti financiranja poduzetništva mladih u Hrvatskoj, Sloveniji i Srbiji. Poduzetništvo mladih prepoznato je kao važan čimbenik gospodarskog razvoja, budući da potiče inovacije, smanjuje nezaposlenost te doprinosi dinamičnosti tržišta rada. Međutim, mladi poduzetnici često nailaze na prepreke u pristupu financijskim sredstvima, što predstavlja ključni izazov u razvoju njihovih poduzeća. Ovaj rad nastojao je identificirati glavne izvore financiranja dostupne mladim poduzetnicima u tri spomenute zemlje te istražiti prepreke koje mladi poduzetnici doživljavaju pri financiranju svojih poduzetničkih pothvata. Provedeno empirijsko istraživanje temeljilo se na online anketnom upitniku kojem je pristupilo ukupno 180 ispitanika iz Hrvatske, Slovenije i Srbije, do 35 godina starosti, koji su vlasnici poduzeća ili poduzetničkih pothvata. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su značajne razlike u pristupu financijskim izvorima između ovih triju zemalja. U Sloveniji je zabilježena viša razina institucionalne podrške, s posebnim naglaskom na pristup poslovnim inkubatorima i državnim potporama, dok se u Hrvatskoj i Srbiji mladi poduzetnici uvelike oslanjaju na osobne ušteđevine i obiteljski kapital. Jedan od glavnih rezultata istraživanja jest da mladi poduzetnici u sve tri zemlje ističu nedostatak kolaterala i visokih kamatnih stopa kao glavne prepreke u pristupu bankovnim kreditima. Posebno u Srbiji, ispitanici su naveli da su uvjeti financiranja nepovoljni i restriktivni. S druge strane, Slovenija je pokazala nešto veće povjerenje prema državnim potporama i subvencijama, koje su percipirane kao dostupnije nego u Hrvatskoj i Srbiji. Također, venture kapital i poslovni anđeli nisu bili značajni izvori financiranja u sve tri zemlje, iako su ispitanici iz Slovenije imali nešto povoljnije stavove o njihovoj dostupnosti. Zaključno, rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na potrebu za poboljšanjem financijske i institucionalne podrške mladim poduzetnicima u regiji. Iako postoje određene razlike među zemljama, zajednički izazovi uključuju ograničen pristup formalnim financijskim institucijama, nedostatak alternativnih oblika financiranja te složene administrativne procedure. Naposljetku, sugerira se kako bi poboljšanje financijske pismenosti, jačanje institucionalne podrške kroz poslovne inkubatore i tehnološke parkove te pojednostavljenje birokratskih procedura mogli značajno poboljšati uvjete za razvoj poduzetništva mladih. |
| Abstract (english) | The aim of this thesis was to investigate and analyze the challenges and possibilities of financing youth entrepreneurship in Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia. Youth entrepreneurship is recognized as an important factor in economic development, since it encourages innovation, reduces unemployment and contributes to the dynamism of the labor market. However, young entrepreneurs often encounter obstacles in accessing financial resources, which is a key problem in the development of their companies. This paper sought to identify the main sources of financing available to young entrepreneurs in the three mentioned countries, and to investigate the obstacles that young entrepreneurs experience when financing their entrepreneurial ventures. The empirical research carried out in the paper was based on a questionnaire which was accessed by a total of 180 respondents from Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia, all under the age of 35, who are owners of companies or entrepreneurial ventures. The research results showed significant differences in access to financial sources between these three countries. In Slovenia, a higher level of institutional support was recorded, with a special emphasis on access to business incubators and state subsidies, while in Croatia and Serbia, young entrepreneurs rely heavily on personal savings and family capital. One of the main results of the research is that young entrepreneurs in all three countries highlight the lack of collateral and high interest rates as the main obstacles in accessing bank loans. Especially in Serbia, respondents stated that financing conditions are unfavorable and restrictive. On the other hand, Slovenia showed somewhat greater confidence in state aid and subsidies, which were perceived as more accessible than in Croatia and Serbia. Also, venture capital and business angels were not significant sources of financing in all three countries, although respondents from Slovenia had somewhat more favorable views on their availability. In conclusion, the research results indicate the need to improve financial and institutional support for young entrepreneurs in the region. Although there are certain differences between countries, common challenges include limited access to formal financial institutions, lack of alternative forms of financing, and complex administrative procedures. Finally, it is suggested that improving financial literacy, strengthening institutional support through business incubators and technology parks, and simplifying bureaucratic procedures could significantly improve the conditions for the development of youth entrepreneurship. |
