The Government has doubled the maximum amount of grant assistance for business development under the Own Business programme, which is a component of the eRobota programme, for entrepreneurs operating in Kharkiv and Kharkiv region. From now on, they can receive assistance from the state for business development in the amount of up to UAH 500,000. In this way, the Government is stimulating economic development in the region, which suffers from systematic regular shelling.

"We understand the challenges that entrepreneurs in Kharkiv region face every day. And we are grateful to them for carrying on working despite the shelling, power cuts, destruction and losses. To support entrepreneurs, we have doubled the maximum amount of grant assistance for business development under the Own Business programme to UAH 500,000. These funds can be used to pay for rent and equipment, including the purchase of generators," said Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

Another change made by the Government to the terms of the Own Business programme is that individuals who have not yet registered as sole proprietors do not have to create a job to receive a grant of less than UAH 75,000. Therefore, entrepreneurs receiving grants from the state must meet the following conditions:

UAH 50,000 to UAH 75,000 - it is not necessary to create jobs, this condition applies only to individuals who have not yet registered as sole proprietors;

UAH 75,000 to UAH 150,000 - it is necessary to create 1 job for individuals who have not yet registered as a sole proprietor;

UAH 50,000 to UAH 150,000 - 1 job must be created, this is a condition for all;

UAH 150,000 to 250,000 - 2 jobs must be created for all applicants.

Grant funds can be spent on rent, equipment, furniture, software, marketing and advertising, etc.

It is worth mentioning, the Government's eRobota project is one of the components of the Made in Ukraine policy and includes grant programmes aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship and job creation. These include microgrants for starting or developing own business called Vlasna Sprava (Own Business), grants for veterans and their spouses, and grants for the establishment and operation of processing enterprises.

Since the start of the Own Business programme, more than 17,600 entrepreneurs have joined the programme, creating more than 38,000 jobs.

For more information visit Ministry of Economy website.