“Moving Forward”: NDI Launches Microenterprise Support Program for Women Entrepreneurs, Veterans, and IDPs

In frontline and war-affected communities, microenterprises often play a crucial role in helping people sustain livelihoods and rebuild their lives. Small cafés, workshops, local service providers, and manufacturing businesses are not only an important part of the economy – they also create jobs, strengthen communities, and provide a sense of stability even under the most challenging circumstances.

On 20 May, the National Development Institution (NDI) presented the program “Moving Forward: Grants and Consulting for Microenterprises”, aimed at helping women entrepreneurs, veterans, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) develop or restore their businesses.

“We often speak about Ukraine’s recovery as something that will happen in the future, but for many communities it is already taking place today – particularly through small businesses that are opening, resuming operations, or continuing to operate despite the challenges of war. Within the EMPOWER project, we see our role in supporting entrepreneurs rebuilding their businesses after losses, relocation, or destruction. By advancing such initiatives, we are strengthening the resilience of Ukrainian society,”
emphasized Eike Water, Director of the project “Empowering War-Affected Communities in Ukraine through Local Initiatives (EMPOWER)”.

Under the program, participants will be eligible to receive grants of up to EUR 8,000 to support the development or recovery of their microenterprises.

Entrepreneurs from the Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions are eligible to apply.

“An important aspect of this program is that, alongside financial assistance, we will also provide advisory support to help entrepreneurs use grant funding as effectively and efficiently as possible. We therefore encourage entrepreneurs from regions near the frontline to apply. Starting tomorrow, 21 May, we will begin accepting applications,” said Valerii Maiboroda, First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of NDI.

Applications may be submitted within three weeks following the opening of registration.

Grant funding may be used for:

• purchasing or repairing equipment;
• implementing energy-efficient solutions;
• procuring raw materials and supplies;
• marketing services;
• restoring business operations following relocation or destruction.

“The amount of the grant depends on the specific needs of the business, the type of equipment selected, and the level of co-financing the entrepreneur is prepared to contribute,” explained Yevhenii Hlaus, Head of the State Programs Management Unit at NDI.

In addition to financial assistance, the program also provides practical support for entrepreneurs. In particular, 50 microenterprises will receive individual consultations and mentoring on finance, accounting, taxation, and legal matters.

At least 200 additional participants will also be able to attend thematic seminars focused on marketing, sales, lending, and operational management.

“Following projects such as the one we are currently offering to businesses in these regions, entrepreneurs become more proactive. This is an effect we have already observed in our previous projects implemented with the support of the German Government. It also creates synergy between different financial instruments,” noted Andrii Hapon, Chairman of the Management Board of NDI.

Priority during the competitive selection process will be given to businesses that have suffered the greatest losses as a result of hostilities, operate in de-occupied territories, or create jobs for veterans and persons with disabilities.

“Those who receive up to EUR 8,000 in support today will become an example for others – especially for those who are still deciding whether to start their own business,” concluded Anna Demchuk, Communications Adviser at GIZ.

Background Information

The program “Moving Forward: Grants and Consulting for Microenterprises” is implemented within the framework of the project “Empowering War-Affected Communities in Ukraine through Local Initiatives (EMPOWER)”, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). NDI is responsible for implementing the program, while Oschadbank serves as the financial infrastructure partner.