Аннотация
This study examines how small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs in the Akmola region perceive government support measures and identifies systemic barriers that hinder business development, including within the social entrepreneurship sector. The methodological framework is based on two focus group discussions involving representatives of various business types, including social enterprises. The use of purposive sampling and semistructured discussions allowed for a thorough understanding of entrepreneurs’ subjective assessments, identification of key problem areas, and analysis of their interactions with government support instruments. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis following the approach of Braun and Clarke, which allowed the identification of nine major thematic problem areas, including administrative barriers, difficulties in accessing credit, grant financing constraints, infrastructure limitations, and challenges specific to social entrepreneurship. The findings suggest that official statistics on the number of SMEs do not always reflect their actual economic sustainability, while existing institutional support mechanisms are often perceived as formal, fragmented, and insufficiently accessible, particularly for microenterprises and rural businesses. Social entrepreneurs, in particular, emphasize the high value of obtaining official status but highlight excessive bureaucratic requirements and the limited applicability of current eligibility criteria. The scientific significance of the study lies in conducting a qualitative regional analysis of the development of SMEs and social entrepreneurship in the Akmola region, which allows us to supplement existing quantitative studies with empirical data on the practical experience of entrepreneurs. From a practical perspective, the results may inform policymakers and regional development institutions by highlighting critical gaps between formal support mechanisms and real business needs. The study offers targeted recommendations aimed at improving the transparency, accessibility, and adaptability of government support instruments, with particular attention to the needs of microbusinesses and rural areas, thereby contributing to more inclusive and sustainable regional economic development.