Desafios de jovens empreendedores em uma cidade do interior do Ceará

Abstract

This article analyzes the main financial challenges faced by young entrepreneurs in rural regions, with an emphasis on the municipality of Campos Sales, in the state of Ceará. The study is based on the understanding that youth entrepreneurship constitutes an important alternative for income generation and productive inclusion, especially in contexts marked by limited formal job opportunities. However, such initiatives are conditioned by financial, institutional, and territorial obstacles that compromise business sustainability and growth. Methodologically, the research is characterized as qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive, utilizing both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire applied to 30 local young entrepreneurs, while secondary data were obtained from IBGE and SEBRAE reports, as well as scientific articles and institutional documents. The results highlight that difficulty in accessing credit, lack of initial capital, and low financial literacy represent the main barriers faced by young people, exacerbated by the limited dissemination and effectiveness of public policies supporting entrepreneurship in rural municipalities. Furthermore, a weakness in the financial management of these ventures was observed, particularly regarding the control of revenue and expenses and the separation of personal and business finances. The study concludes that the financial challenges of youth entrepreneurship are intensified by the regional context, reinforcing the need for more inclusive public policies, expanded access to microcredit, and the strengthening of continuous financial education initiatives aimed at the youth.