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Veterans, members of veterans’ families, and graduates of vocational education and training (VET) institutions in Kryvyi Rih Raion have gained a new opportunity to launch their own businesses. Through a new component of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Support Programme, they are already taking part in free practical entrepreneurship training. Following the programme, the 100 strongest business projects will receive grants ranging from EUR 5,000 to EUR 10,000 to launch their businesses.
The new component is part of the broader MSME Support Programme implemented within the framework of the KRYTSIA: Support for Recovery of Kryvyi Rih Raion project, funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, in partnership with Proman and the National Development Institution (NDI).
The programme aims to strengthen the local economy through several complementary components: supporting existing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises while also fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Over the past two years, the programme has already demonstrated tangible results. During 2024–2025, 200 businesses in Kryvyi Rih Raion received grant support. A total of EUR 2.43 million in grants leveraged EUR 4.8 million in investments, helping businesses expand and create more than 260 new jobs.
This year, alongside veterans and members of their families, graduates of vocational education and professional pre-higher education institutions have become eligible for the programme for the first time. The initiative targets aspiring entrepreneurs who have a business idea but have not yet registered a business.
Before receiving grant funding, participants complete an intensive training programme. Eight learning groups have already been formed, bringing together 200 participants. Over eight weeks, they work with trainers and mentors to analyse markets and customer needs, develop business models, strengthen financial planning skills, learn marketing strategies, and explore the legal and tax aspects of entrepreneurship. Each participant will complete the programme with a business plan to be submitted for the grant competition.
Applications also remain open for the other components of the MSME Support Programme, designed for existing businesses seeking to grow, modernise and expand.
Component I provides 50 grants of up to EUR 10,000 for microenterprises. Funding can be used to purchase production equipment, energy generation and storage equipment, repair and renovate business premises, and implement energy efficiency and circular economy solutions.
Component II targets small and medium-sized enterprises through a co-financing mechanism. Small businesses can receive grants of up to EUR 50,000 (10 grants available with a 20% own contribution), while medium-sized businesses can receive up to EUR 100,000 (8 grants available with a 30% own contribution). The required contribution may come from the applicant’s own resources, bank loans or other grant programmes.
Eligible applicants are businesses registered before 1 January 2025 and operating in Kryvyi Rih Raion. Priority is given to businesses working in agriculture, processing and the circular economy, companies led by veterans, members of veterans’ families and women, as well as projects creating new jobs, investing in modernisation and purchasing products from Ukrainian manufacturers.
Applications for Components I and II can be submitted through the NDI online platform until 17 August 2026, 24:00 (Kyiv time): https://bdf.org.ua/auth
Background
The MSME Support Programme is implemented within the framework of the KRYTSIA: Support for Recovery of Kryvyi Rih Raion project and consists of three components: support for microenterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, and new businesses. The start-up component combines eight weeks of practical entrepreneurship training, mentoring and grant funding for the strongest business ideas.