Entrepreneurship as a bridge between education and work

By Shahad Al-Khattaba – Member of the Safe Political Youth Rural Space

Community entrepreneurship today is considered a national and civilizational project because it connects two essential pillars in the lives of youth: education and work. While education provides young people with knowledge and skills, work offers them the opportunity to apply this knowledge in real life. However, the gap between the two leaves thousands of graduates without job opportunities, turning knowledge into nothing more than “ink on paper.”

Entrepreneurship as a bridge between education and employment

This is where the importance of community entrepreneurship emerges—it is the bridge that transforms knowledge into opportunity, ideas into action, and youth into initiators. It is not merely an economic tool but a new culture that redefines work, linking it to dignity, belonging, and responsibility toward society.

Work is a collective mission, not an individual one.

Work is not limited to being just a source of income; it is a sense of belonging and awareness of one’s role in the community. A young person who starts a small business doesn’t only employ themselves but may also create opportunities for others. In this way, work becomes a collective mission that uplifts the entire village or town.

“A Success Story from the Countryside”

A Real-Life Example of Rural Success
A young woman from the countryside learned how to make traditional local food products. Instead of waiting for a conventional job, she decided to start her own small business. Over time, the project grew, and she built a team to support her work.
Today, her business is not only a personal source of income, but also a source of inspiration for her neighbors and the young women in her community.

A New Culture of Work

Social entrepreneurship creates a new work culture based on:

“Production instead of waiting

Collaboration instead of individualism”

“Responsibility instead of dependency”

She tells young people:
“Don’t wait for opportunities — create them yourself.”
And she tells the community:
“Work isn’t just a ready-made job; it can be an idea that grows and evolves together.”

“Key Roles for the Success of Entrepreneurship”

“To ensure the success of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem, collective efforts are essential:”

• Government: Facilitating procedures and providing support and funding channels.

• Universities and training centers: Focusing on skills required in the labor market rather than merely academic degrees.

• Private sector: Building genuine partnerships with youth and investing in their potential.

• Local community: Encouraging a culture of productive work and celebrating initiative-takers.

In conclusion,

In the end, social entrepreneurship turns education into the beginning of the journey, not its end.
It transforms work from merely a means of earning a living into a tool for change and building a better future.
It is not an individual choice, but a collective project that uplifts both youth and the community together.