Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education Vol.12 No.2 (2021), 784 - 783 784 Research Article Entrepreneurship-Based Programs (EBPs): A Strategy for Community Development in Zimbabwe N Munyawarara a and K K Govender b a School of Management, IT and Governance University of KwaZulu-Natal b School of Management, IT and Governance University of KwaZulu-Natal Article History: Received: 10 January 2021; Revised: 12 February 2021; Accepted: 27 March 2021; Published online: 20 April 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract: Since universally, entrepreneurship-based programs considered as the backbone for community development, this study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurial-based programs and poverty reduction in poor communities in Zimbabwe. Entrepreneurs in urban poor communities are facing a plethora of challenges, such as lack of training and development, financial and technological support and the ability to establish meaningful industries. This paper provides an insight into the impact of supporting entrepreneurial-based programs on the urban poor in Zimbabwe. The study found out that supporting entrepreneurship initiatives contributes to community development. Keywords: Entrepreneurial-based programs, community development, poverty alleviation ___________________________________________________________________________ 1. Introduction The prosperity and strength of every community lies in stimulating entrepreneurship based programs, as a strategy to create employment, social cohesion, value addition and communication networks (infrastructure), which are instrumental in changing and sustaining the majority of the poor in metropolitan areas (Bliemel, McCarthy & Maine, 2016;Armeanu,Istudor & Lache, 2015; Adusei, 2016). From this perspective, cultivating an entrepreneurship culture among the poor compels them to venture into business and play an important role in improving the standard of living in poor communities (Chivasa. 2014; Dhahri & Omri, 2018). Taking entrepreneurial initiatives seriously helps solve problems of unemployment, poverty, economic disparity; gender inequality and improving socio economic conditions of the poor in the Metropolitan (Seekings, 2014; Dossou- Yovo, 2015). Poor areas, such as the Mbare community in Zimbabwe need support for their entrepreneurial- based programs to develop the spirit of entrepreneurship as a means of promoting economic independence through self- reliance projects, in order for them to earn decent living. It is against this background that governments support entrepreneurship through promoting entrepreneurial based programs among the poor as a strategic intervention that could transform and accelerate community development and stimulate economic independence among its citizenry (Bjørnskov & Foss, 2013; Dvouletý,2018;Chowa & Mukuvare, 2013). Furthermore, various governments have made bold and urgent interventions in supporting entrepreneurial programs in poverty stricken communities. The key reason being to drive the growth of economies through entrepreneurial based programs(EBPs) (Bjørnskov & Foss, 2013;Adusei, 2016). From this gesture, there is need to encourage entrepreneurship-based programs (EBPs) in developing nations. The literature provides a policy framework for entrepreneurship based programs (EBPs); where in poor communities are actively engaged actively in entrepreneurial activities. They enter as individuals, private companies and cooperatives (Bjørnskov & Foss, 2013; Prieger; Dossou-Yovo, 2015 Bampoky, Blanco & Liu, (2016). Castells-Quintana (2017), observed that there is need to accelerate community development in poor metropolitan areas, thus, it is important to mainstream entrepreneurial based programs (EBPs) in poor communities. Prieger, Bampoky, Blanco and Liu (2016), found out that entrepreneurial support has developed livelihoods in terms of employment growth, income distribution and food provision. Adusei (2016) concluded that community development is being largely linked to small enterprises and or startups by entrepreneurs who have become a vehicle for spurring economic independence among poor families. Several researchers (Dhahri & Omri, 2018; Kolstad & Wiig, 2015; Cho & Lee, 2018) found that policies linked to entrepreneurship activities influence the level of community growth through improving their requisite skills through training and development. Other researchers (Antony, Klarl and Lehmann, 2017; Armeanu, Istudor and Lache, 2015), indicated that the Entrepreneurship Charter of the metropolitan poor is a game changer for the disadvantaged in the community. Their aforementioned researchers concluded that acceleration of economic development in the poor metropolitan areas, is necessary though entrepreneurship growth. It is against the above background that this study attempts to contribute to the existing literature by assessing the main role played by entrepreneurship in community development in Mbare, a poor community in Zimbabwe. It will specifically review the challenges faced by entrepreneurs as well as recommend areas of policy interventions to stimulate entrepreneurship-based programs (EBPs) in the community. It is hypothesized that there