Institutional foundations of rural entrepreneurial development

Purpose. The aim of the article is substantiation of directions of institutional support for the development of social entrepreneurship in rural communities through the creation of an appropriate coordinating body. Methodology of research. General scientific and special research methods are used to achieve this goal, in particular: scientific method - to systematize the existing theoretical approaches to the research problem; dialectical method - in the study of the category of development of the problem identified by the project; analysis and synthesis - to detail the object and subject of research and their generalization; abstract and logical method - in the formation of scientific assumptions, hypotheses, as well as generalizations, conclusions and research proposals. Findings. The process of institutionalization of social entrepreneurship is considered, its main stages are given. The need to form an institutional environment for the development of social entrepreneurship in rural communities has been identified. Institutional principles of social entrepreneurship are offered. The results of the research of the opinion of the inhabitants of rural communities and entrepreneurs on the expediency of the development of social entrepreneurship and their readiness for the specified type of activity are given. The need for information support of social entrepreneurship has been identified. Originality. The project of the Regional Center for the Development of Social Entrepreneurship of Rural Communities is proposed and described; the main stages of the project implementation are determined, as well as the tasks, functions, organizational structure and technological platforms of social entrepreneurship development of rural communities are given. The consequences of the project implementation are described. The ultimate beneficiaries of social entrepreneurship have been identified. Practical value. The results of the study can be one of the areas of developing an effective national strategy for rural development, based on entrepreneurship and education, which will ultimately have a social effect from the implemented proposals. Key words: rural communities, institutionality, social entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurial initiatives, Regional Center.