Analysis of the Institutional Environment and Factors of Social Entrepreneurship Development in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the institutional environment and factors influencing the development of social entrepreneurship in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The aim of the study is to identify the key institutional conditions affecting the formation and sustainable development of social entrepreneurship, as well as to determine the barriers and drivers of its growth. Special attention is paid to the regulatory framework, mechanisms of state support, the role of the quasi-public sector and development institutions, as well as the interaction between business, the state, and civil society.

Methods include institutional, systemic, and comparative analysis, evaluation of existing support programs, and analysis of international experience in the development of social entrepreneurship. Legislative initiatives, including the formal recognition of the status of a social entrepreneur, were reviewed, and the effectiveness of implemented support measures was assessed.

Results reveal the key factors driving the development of social entrepreneurship: the presence of state support, the development of infrastructure (business incubators, accelerators), access to financing, and the growth of corporate social responsibility. At the same time, the main challenges were identified, including insufficient institutional maturity, limited access to financial resources, low awareness, and regional disparities.

Based on the analysis, recommendations were formulated to improve the institutional environment, including the development of public-private partnership mechanisms, expansion of financing instruments, implementation of ESG approaches, and strengthening the role of digital platforms in supporting social entrepreneurs.

Conclusions indicate that social entrepreneurship is an important tool for addressing social problems, increasing employment, and fostering an inclusive economy. The effective development of this sector requires systematic improvement of the institutional environment, stronger state support, and integration into the international socio-economic space.