معاونت پژوهشی دانشگاه تبریز Journal of Economic & Developmental Sociology 2322-4371 9 1 2020 05 21 Investigating the Role of the Hope Entrepreneurship Fund in the Development of Small Businesses in Rural Areas (Case study: villages of Kashmar county) Investigating the Role of the Hope Entrepreneurship Fund in the Development of Small Businesses in Rural Areas (Case study: villages of Kashmar county) 219 242 10627 FA Maryam Ghasemi Assistant Professor of Geography, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Mitra Yarahmadi Master student of geography and rural planning, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Journal Article 2019 12 08 The development of small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas is the most important rural development strategy, especially the development of rural economies in third world countries. One of the essential requirements for any business, especially small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas, is financing. Financial institutions and lending funds can play a significant role in the development of entrepreneurship, employment and economic development, especially in rural areas, through the provision of low-interest micro-credit. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of Hope Entrepreneurship Fund in the development of micro and small businesses in rural areas of Kashmar city. The present study is a quantitative research in terms of the nature of the applied research and a descriptive-analytical method. Statistical population is small business owners in rural areas of Kashmar city who have used Hope Entrepreneurship Fund facilities. Data collection was done by using both library and field methods through a questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha reliability was 0.915. The results indicate that the Hope Entrepreneurship Fund's micro-credit facilities play an important role in setting up small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas, and borrowers are more satisfied with the fund's performance than other financial institutions. The findings also indicate that the easier the process of borrowing and bureaucratic borrowing and the amount of lending commensurate with the business startup, the Fund will play a more effective role in the development of rural businesses. The development of small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas is the most important rural development strategy, especially the development of rural economies in third world countries. One of the essential requirements for any business, especially small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas, is financing. Financial institutions and lending funds can play a significant role in the development of entrepreneurship, employment and economic development, especially in rural areas, through the provision of low-interest micro-credit. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of Hope Entrepreneurship Fund in the development of micro and small businesses in rural areas of Kashmar city. The present study is a quantitative research in terms of the nature of the applied research and a descriptive-analytical method. Statistical population is small business owners in rural areas of Kashmar city who have used Hope Entrepreneurship Fund facilities. Data collection was done by using both library and field methods through a questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha reliability was 0.915. The results indicate that the Hope Entrepreneurship Fund's micro-credit facilities play an important role in setting up small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas, and borrowers are more satisfied with the fund's performance than other financial institutions. The findings also indicate that the easier the process of borrowing and bureaucratic borrowing and the amount of lending commensurate with the business startup, the Fund will play a more effective role in the development of rural businesses. https://sociology.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_10627_3800031a6a5b915500a7bd0141ecf7d7.pdf