ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the role of entrepreneurship as a viable tool for the systematic reduction of youth unemployment in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries. It stems from the recognition of the difficulties policy makers face in many countries, and specifically in the transition economies, in tackling the problem of youth unemployment. The chapter relies on secondary data sources and key policy documents, including data relating to entrepreneurship framework conditions, such as the existing state of education and availability of venture capital. It sets out to examine the overall framework conditions for entrepreneurship in a transition environment. Unemployment rates of young people are significantly higher than those of the population 25 years and in all CEE countries, as is the case in the European Union Member States. The efforts of many countries in creating more dynamic and competitive entrepreneurial economies is often impeded, at least in part by the lack of proper institutional context.
