Self-Employment through Organic Production for Young People in Montenegro

Every second young person in Montenegro is unemployed which makes unemployment an issue of great importance. Having in mind that Montenegro is a country of great agricultural prosperity, it is not clear why young people do not see it as a chance for employment. This research focuses on problems of unemployment with possible solutions in organic production and self-employment by starting small private businesses. In order to discover the main reasons for the current situation, a number of interviews and a questionnaire were conducted. Some recognize organic production as an opportunity for self-employment while for others it still remains a risky area of business because of the traditional work patterns where young people strive to be employed in government-owned companies which provide a secure monthly income. Results of the questionnaire, as well as interviews, showed that there is a lack of communication between three parties – government, producers, and customers. This gap needs to be bridged. Thus, the aim of this paper is to contribute to raising awareness of self-employment capabilities of young people by organizing small businesses in the field of organic production.