ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM IN THE COASTAL AREA OF SPECIAL REGION OF YOGYAKARTA TOWARD AN INTERSYSTEMIC POLICY FOR EDUCATION AND MICRO, SMALL, MEDIUM ENTERPRISE

Abstract

This research explores how education fosters youth entrepreneurship and bolsters the coastal region to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, including Gunungkidul Regency, Bantul Regency, and Kulonprogo Regency. It employs an explanatory sequential design with qualitative description, collecting data through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews. The findings identify three interconnected barriers to effective vocational entrepreneurship: first, fragmented institutional collaboration among education, government, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) actors; second, curriculum-market misalignment that restricts experiential and place-based learning; and third, insufficient continuity of incubation and post-program support, which impedes the transition from entrepreneurial intent to viable enterprise. While institutional support and perceived market opportunities are strong predictors of entrepreneurial intent among students. The study concludes that, if Super’s vocational development theory is adapted to reflect the entrepreneurial ecosystem, it suggests an integrated policy to align curriculum, incubation, finance, and multi-actor governance. Policy recommendations include place-based curriculum localization, institutionalization of MSME-school relationships, diversification of financing mechanisms, and the development of regional monitoring dashboards. This research provides guidance for policymakers and educators aiming to transform vocational schools from a job-seeking pathway to a job-creating pathway in coastal local economies.