Empowering youth for sustainable entrepreneurship: an integrated fuzzy TOPSIS-AHP framework for prioritizing skills and development strategies

Purpose This study aims to identify and prioritize key entrepreneurial skills required for youth and evaluate effective strategies that support sustainable youth entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach A structured expert-based approach was used, applying the fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method to rank 20 entrepreneurial skills based on their importance. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used specifically to calculate the weight values of ten skill development strategies. These inputs were then used to construct a strategic framework for entrepreneurial skill development. Findings The analysis revealed that skills such as sustainability mindset, problem-solving ability and adaptability are most critical for youth entrepreneurs in 2025. Among the strategies, mentorship programs, artificial intelligence and digital tools and entrepreneurship bootcamps were identified as the most effective. A comprehensive framework was proposed, comprising four pillars: experiential learning, mentorship and ecosystem support, digital enablement and sustainability alignment, all contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Research limitations/implications The findings are based on expert opinions, which may involve subjective bias. The proposed framework is conceptual and has not been empirically tested. Practical implications This study offers valuable guidance to educators, policymakers and industry practitioners to improve entrepreneurship education and training programs. Originality/value This research uniquely combines fuzzy TOPSIS and AHP to build a strategic, SDG-aligned skill development framework tailored to the needs of future youth entrepreneurs.