• Українською
  • SMEs to receive more grants for recovery and development from USAID
    Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, posted 07 July 2023 08:54

    The USAID Competitive Economy Programme is expanding grant support for the recovery of Ukrainian small and medium-sized businesses to UAH 92 million, and domestic enterprises will be entitled to receive more grants. The grant programme was launched on 22 July 2022 and is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.

    The programme will provide about 120 grants ranging from UAH 600,000 to UAH 1,200,000. The amount of grant support under the programme has increased from UAH 36 million to UAH 92 million, enabling more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to benefit from the programme.

    "For the Ministry of Economy, the increase in funding is a signal that we are moving in the right direction, and the main thing now is to keep up the momentum. It is important for us that business works and supports the state in the extremely difficult military realities. I thank our partners, the United States Agency for International Development, for expanding this programme to support business continuity and recovery," said Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy.

    The programme focuses on the information technology, engineering, manufacturing, services and creative industries. At the same time, the programme is open to applications for support for other sectors that meet the criteria of this request. The grantee's activities may focus on the following needs

    improving business processes and models;

    building institutional capacity

    building organisational capacity;

    development of production and sales;

    digital and trade opportunities.

    "The resilience and endurance of Ukrainian entrepreneurs is inspiring. During the year and a half of full-scale war, SMEs have been one of the pillars that have kept the country's economy afloat. It is crucial for USAID to support entrepreneurs along the way, including in resuming operations and developing their businesses in the current environment. That is why we have decided to expand funding so that as many businesses as possible can take advantage of the benefits and opportunities offered by the USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine," said USAID Project Manager Natalia Petrova.

    Areas of grant assistance may include: product development and innovation, supply chain creation or restoration, strengthening staff training and staffing, improving online marketing and promotion in domestic and foreign markets, increasing business competitiveness, and similar activities related to business continuity and recovery.

    Applications will be accepted until 24 July 2023 (inclusive).

    Background

    USAID's Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine supports start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to increase their competitiveness in Ukraine's domestic and international markets, helps build a simplified and transparent business climate, and provides Ukrainian companies with opportunities to take advantage of international trade.