On June 18, Kyiv hosted the sixth coordination meeting of the SME Resilience Alliance –  an international initiative designed to strengthen Ukraine’s economic resilience by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event was co-organized by the Alliance’s co-chairs: the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The gathering marked a symbolic milestone: exactly one year ago, at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 in Berlin, the Alliance was officially launched. Since then, over 130 projects have been aligned with national goals, supported by 40 international partners.

Ukrainian SMEs account for more than 80% of jobs and two-thirds of the country’s GDP. Despite the ongoing war, they have demonstrated exceptional resilience. However, to continue growing, SMEs need targeted support mechanisms –  from affordable finance and better regulation to digital tools and upskilling. In response, the Ukrainian government developed the SME Development Strategy until 2027. The Alliance was created to ensure international efforts are aligned with this strategy and channelled toward shared national priorities.

“This year has not been about coordination for coordination’s sake. It’s about trust, shared commitment, and real results. Even amid war, we were able to think strategically and put SMEs at the center of Ukraine’s recovery. To me, the Alliance is a mechanism that works and one that makes a difference for real entrepreneurs every single day,” said Tetyana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

Participants reviewed key achievements from the first year of the Alliance’s work. Thanks to the Alliance, regular communication between donors and implementing partners was established, systematic mapping (analysis) of donor support was introduced, and monitoring of the implementation of the SME Development Strategy was ensured. 

“When I heard business owners say that government support and partner-led programmes had helped them stay afloat, I knew the Strategy was working. Businesses are actively making use of the support available - grants, export tools, training opportunities. Even in regions affected by the war, they remain optimistic and committed to growth. This demonstrates that they trust the system and believe in the future. The Alliance has become a platform that brings together government, donors, and implementers around shared goals. This is genuine leadership in the field of enterpreneurship development” added Berezhna.

Maximilian Rasch, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine, emphasized that Germany has always believed that the resilience and growth of Ukrainian SMEs are not just recovery goals - they are the foundation for long-term economic stability and EU integration. 

“The SME Alliance has consistently delivered results: better coordination, smarter use of resources, and more strategic programming. For Germany, it was an expression of our values - genuine partnership, locally led development, and results that matter on the ground. Perhaps most importantly, there is a real sense of shared ownership - this is not just a government agenda or a donor agenda. It’s a common project” said Rasch.

The meeting also highlighted the operational work of the Alliance Secretariat, which provides daily coordination among the government, donors, and implementing partners. According to Hagen Ettner, Director of the STEP IN 2 EU Programme, much of the success stems from developing practical tools such as project mapping, regular roundtables, and technical alignment mechanisms. 

“Over time, we have built an environment of trust where partners are willing to openly share their plans and perspectives. Thanks to the joint efforts, we now have a clear picture of what’s happening –  and that’s what makes coordination truly effective,” Mr. Ettner noted.

He further emphasized his hopes for the Alliance’s future: “I am confident that the Alliance will continue to strengthen its capacity to measure the real impact of SME Strategy implementation. We’ve already begun work on refining this, and it’s equally important that we continue learning and adapting - updating the Operational Plan to reflect shifting needs and priorities in real time”.

Participants agreed that the Alliance has proven itself as a platform that helps avoid duplication, fosters transparency, and enables joint results. Looking ahead, efforts will focus on scaling impact, improving monitoring, and preparing for the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 – with even deeper integration into Ukraine’s economic policy agenda.