Local communities have started to co-finance the state grant programme to stimulate the development of processing enterprises. In Lviv, the city authorities have allocated UAH 17 million to compensate businesses that set up processing plants. This was announced by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.
“Lviv has joined the programme of support for processing enterprises. The local authorities will co-finance the part of the investment to be made by the company itself. Under the terms of the grant programme, half of the funding comes from the state and the rest from the entrepreneur. In Lviv, vouchers will be issued to help businesses cover their share. The amount of the voucher ranges from UAH 80,000 to UAH 2 million, depending on the number of new jobs created. This will help develop the economic potential of Lviv region. We urge other communities to participate in the development of the processing industry, as business support is a contribution to the future of your regions,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.
Under the grant programme, the state covers half of the cost of processing equipment, up to a maximum of UAH 8 million. To receive the maximum grant, an entrepreneur must create 25 jobs. In Lviv, the city pays up to a quarter of the investment, but not more than UAH 2 million.
One of the most popular areas of support for entrepreneurs is agro-processing. Today’s realities encourage entrepreneurs to focus more on processing, as it is easier to export higher value-added products due to logistical challenges.
Yuliia Svyrydenko also recalled that entrepreneurs could apply for grants to develop processing facilities and create jobs in the de-occupied territories. In such cases, companies can receive a grant of up to UAH 8 million from the state, covering 80% of the project costs. The condition for receiving the funds is the creation of up to 25 jobs.
This is the Government’s way of stimulating the recovery and development of the war-affected, de-occupied territories. The programme aims to bring people back, provide employment opportunities and create a favourable business climate.
Background
Applications for grants can be submitted through the Diia portal. The Government’s eRobota project includes grant programmes aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship and job creation. In particular, these are microgrant programmes for starting or developing a business, grants for the creation and development of processing enterprises, planting a garden, viticulture, and greenhouse farming. Both existing entrepreneurs and people with no business experience can apply for a grant.