USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine to provide USD 1.5 million to support women- and family-owned small and medium-sized businesses

USAID’s Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine announces a USD 1.5 million grant program for small and medium-sized family-owned and women-owned businesses. The initiative will provide grants ranging from USD 10,000 to USD 35,000.

The grant program is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine as part of the Government’s eRobota initiative to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses aimed at creating jobs, starting a new or expanding an existing business.

“Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of a stable economy. That is why the Government is interested in stimulating their growth. We value our cooperation with USAID, particularly under the Competitive Economy Program, and expect that this joint project will give a boost to SME development, help create new jobs, and become an additional stimulus for Ukraine’s reindustrialization,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

Grants will be available for relocation, opening a new line of business, expanding business in Ukraine, entering international markets, implementing innovative solutions and optimizing business processes to increase efficiency.

“The war has caused losses, but Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises have shown resilience and a willingness to work, and some have even found opportunities for growth. Supporting business continuity and adapting to new realities, creating conditions for Ukraine’s economic recovery is both an urgent task and a strategic goal for post-war reconstruction. The grant program to support small and medium-sized women’s and family businesses will help to save jobs, attract investment, increase sales in domestic and foreign markets, and develop women’s and family entrepreneurship,” said USAID Project Manager Natalia Petrova.

Applications will be accepted through July 24, 2023. Due to the high level of interest, applications will be accepted and reviewed in stages with the following deadlines: May 19; June 16; July 24, 2023.

“One of the priority areas of the USAID Competitive Economy Program is the development of women’s entrepreneurship. We aim to help women develop their entrepreneurial skills and inspire them with successful cases of women entrepreneurs. As part of the grant program to support the urgent needs of women entrepreneurs and family business owners, we expect to award approximately one hundred grants, with implementation starting in the summer of 2023,” said Olesya Zaluska, USAID Competitive Economy Program Chief of Party.

Priority sectors for grant support include the production of cosmetics, textiles, household goods, handicrafts, food processing, IT, furniture and other products. However, the USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine is open to applications for assistance in other sectors that meet the selection criteria.