On June 14, an online presentation of a grant program for Ukrainian businesses focused on exporting and/or innovation took place.
Under this project, 12 small and medium-sized Ukrainian enterprises can receive up to €40 000 and expert advice to help them overcome barriers to export and innovation development.
More details on the terms of participation are available on the project website.
The event was opened by Tetiana Sakharuk, Executive Director of the UNGC Ukraine, Chair for the Regional Network Council for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the UN Global Compact:
"Ukrainian businesses demonstrate miracles of resilience and commitment. But SMEs, the backbone of the Ukrainian economy, are especially vulnerable to constant change. They need our support now more than ever. That is why our team is implementing this project under the international cooperation programme “EU4Business: SME Recovery, Competitiveness and Internationalization“. We are grateful to the world for its support, but the responsibility for success lies on our shoulders. It is important to show the international community that Ukrainian businesses are ready to innovate, develop exports and strengthen the economy."
Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of the Public Finance, Business Support and Social Policies section at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Nadiya Bihun, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine and Hagen Ettner, Director of the EU4Business program: SME Recovery Competitiveness and Internationalisation.
The invited speakers expressed their support for Ukrainian entrepreneurs who overcome challenges and embark on the path of development, even during the war.
“Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, we have mobilized almost 8 million euros under the EU4Business program to provide grants to Ukrainian micro and small companies. In these difficult times, businesses need support more than ever to grow and innovate. Through this grant program, we aim to help Ukrainian businesses overcome the effects of the war, access finance, find new markets, and improve the business environment in Ukraine”
Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of the Public Finance, Business Support and Social Policies section at the EU Delegation to Ukraine
“I am glad to see our country and businesses unleash their potential. Thanks to such projects, Ukrainian companies have the chance to develop and grow, which is extremely important. External financing, whether through grants or loans, can accelerate business development significantly. We must learn how to effectively utilize external resources for growth. To achieve this, it is important to be understandable to the foreign market, maintain proper financial statements, and comply with legal requirements”
Nadiya Bihun, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine
“The philosophy of the project is not only to help Ukrainian businesses, but also to create these examples for business customers in Europe, who can see that it really makes business sense to work together with Ukrainian companies. We hope to create concrete examples to show the potential of Ukraine's rapprochement with the EU and thus contribute to strengthening the value chain between Ukraine and Europe.”
Hagen Ettner, Director of the EU4Business program: SME Recovery Competitiveness and Internationalisation
During the event, the guests learned more about the goals, conditions of participation, and stages of the €480 000 project for 12 SMEs.
Project manager Oksana Kavtysh said that the project is targeted at SMEs operating in the following sectors: processing (food, light industry, machinery, construction, furniture, etc); creative industries (fashion and design etc), other sectors not mentioned above, with export and innovation potential.
As part of the project, SMEs will receive financial support of up to EUR 40 000 each to develop export and innovation capabilities, as well as consultations from experts, which will help overcome barriers to export development and innovation.
The event is organized by the PU Global Compact Network in Ukraine within the international cooperation programme “EU4Business:
SME Recovery, Competitiveness and Internationalisation” is co-financed by the European Union and the German Government and is implemented by the German federal company “Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH”. The programme aims to support Ukraine’s economic resilience, recovery and growth, create better conditions for the development of Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as support innovation and exports.
EU4Business is an umbrella initiative that includes all EU support to small and medium-sized businesses in the Eastern Partnership countries. Read more: www.eu4business.org.ua
