Entrepreneurship: Opportunities and Challenges for Public Policy for the Low-Income Population

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze, in an exploratory-descriptive way, three case studies on support programmes for entrepreneurship among low-income groups in the communities of Sao Jose dos Campos, Taruma and the district of Itaim Paulista in Sao Paulo City, all in the State of Sao Paulo in Brazil. The goal is to identify evidence that points to flaws in these programmes so as to offer improvements. The focus of the work is the efTectiveness of the programmes and policies, integrated municipal planning and social inclusion, primary obstacles and facilitators for the programmes. The selected case studies and the analysis of the literature form the basis for a series of reflections and suggestions to improve the efficiency and efficacy of the programmes themselves, by means of integrated and sus:ainable planning by the municipalities. The results show that, despite the managers being clearly aware of the failures and needs of the existing programmes and having a good understanding of the expectations and capabilities of the target-audience, they still fail to bring off integrated and optimum solutions that could correct these failures.