Public support instruments to support self-employment and job creation in one-person and micro enterprises

This study by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research looks into self-employment as a means of job creation. Encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship has traditionally been deemed an effective approach to increasing employment. The public debate and the discussion about programmes that aim to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship however focus more on general structural issues than on specific issues linked to the economic crisis. Policies that aim to foster self-employment, entrepreneurship and job growth in micro enterprises cover the complete range of relevant issues, e.g. information and advice, legal structures and procedures, financing. The analysis was undertaken on behalf of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.