Ukraine to receive additional EUR 25 million for STEP IN 2 EU programme implementation
On 10 July, a five-party Letter of Intent was signed between the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission, and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) regarding the new phase of the Support Programme for Ukraine’s Economic Development – STEP IN 2 EU. This initiative includes additional funding of EUR 25 million, increasing the programme’s total budget to EUR 41.5 million.
The document was signed on behalf of Ukraine by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy. The ceremony took place during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC-2025) held in Rome.
“We sincerely thank the governments of Germany and Norway, the European Commission, and GIZ for their unwavering support for Ukraine’s economic development. The additional EUR 25 million will enable support for small and medium-sized enterprises, further digitalisation of business services, and the expansion of training programmes for regional economic institutions. These are practical steps to prepare Ukrainian businesses for operating in the EU market,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.
The STEP IN 2 EU programme builds on the EU4Business and ReACT4UA initiatives, which have already made significant contributions to supporting small and medium-sized businesses, strengthening institutional capacity, and fostering regional development. Under the previous programme, 30,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, over 60 business organisations, and 78 clusters and business associations received support. Notably, more than 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises were granted EUR 16 million in grants and loans to develop their operations.
The primary goal of the new phase is to enhance Ukraine’s economic environment for further integration into the EU single market through:
- Supporting state-level reforms,
- Enhancing business competitiveness,
- Developing regional economies,
- Advancing digital transformation, including through tools such as e-Permit, PULSE, and other business solutions.
Background
The support programme for Ukraine’s EU accession process in the economic sphere, STEP IN 2 EU, is implemented with the support of the governments of Germany and Norway, the European Union, and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). In Ukraine, the project is carried out by the Ministry of Economy and the National Bank.
The programme’s main objective is to improve Ukrainian businesses’ access to the EU single market. It focuses on developing and implementing national strategies and economic reforms aimed at advancing Ukraine’s path to EU membership. These reforms primarily support the development of Ukrainian enterprises seeking to enter the European Union market. The project organises dialogue platforms and provides advisory support to representatives of government bodies, banks, and businesses.
Additionally, the project conducts training for regional organisations that promote economic development, enabling them to more effectively prepare companies in priority sectors for the opportunities and requirements of operating in the EU internal market.