Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture: Grant support, access to finance, career counselling and psychosocial assistance. Applications open for the second year of the BLOOM programme

Ukraine has launched the call for applications for the second year of the BLOOM programme – a comprehensive initiative aimed at supporting people, businesses and communities affected by the war. The programme helps restore sources of income, develop entrepreneurship, acquire new professional skills and find employment opportunities.

Support under the programme is available to self-employed individuals, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-up entrepreneurs, internally displaced persons (IDPs), veterans, and representatives of communities affected by the war in regions where hostilities are (or were) taking place.

“Economic resilience begins with people – with those who, despite all the challenges, continue to work, study, start their own businesses and support their communities. They are the driving force of Ukraine’s development and recovery. The BLOOM programme helps Ukrainians strengthen their capabilities, develop businesses, acquire new professional skills and create growth points for their communities. Our goal is to ensure that every Ukrainian has the opportunity to realise their potential and build a future in Ukraine,” said Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture Tetyana Berezhna.

“Small and medium-sized businesses are the foundation of the Ukrainian economy and community resilience,” said Oleksandr Tsybort, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture. “Today, SMEs account for 99.97% of all business entities in Ukraine, provide over 80% of jobs in the business sector, and generate more than 60% of added value in the economy as well as sold goods and services. Therefore, the state’s task is to create convenient and transparent conditions for entrepreneurs: simplify procedures, digitalise services and open access to financing. The BLOOM programme is an important complement to state support tools, especially for businesses in frontline and war-affected regions.”

Programme participants can benefit from three areas of support: grants for micro-businesses, programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises, and comprehensive advisory, training and career services.