On March 5, 2025, Milan hosted the Business Dimension preparatory event, “On the Road to URC 2025,” organised by the governments of Italy and Ukraine in cooperation with ICE Agenzia and the Regional Council of Lombardy. During the business event, Italy officially joined the SME Resilience Alliance to strengthen support for Ukrainian entrepreneurs.

“Small and medium-sized enterprises play a crucial role in strengthening Ukraine’s economic resilience. I am grateful to Italy for its decision to join the SME Resilience Alliance, making it the 37th country to support this initiative. Our goal is to work together with Alliance members to provide businesses with more opportunities for training, advisory support, grants and access to tools for entering new markets. We are already cooperating with our partners to develop concrete mechanisms to help businesses take full advantage of these opportunities. I am confident that this cooperation will open new opportunities for both our countries,” stated First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Adding Italy to the Alliance’s member map is important for bolstering international support for Ukrainian entrepreneurs and creating new business opportunities for both countries. With its rich tradition of supporting manufacturers and creative industries, Italy’s expertise is particularly valuable in fostering strong backing for local producers and creative initiatives.

As a part of the agenda, a dedicated SMEs Working Session titled “The Potential Role of SMEs in the Reconstruction Process” was held. Tetiana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, presented preliminary results from the SME Resilience Alliance and announced Italy's joining participation in this initiative: “Small and medium-sized enterprises are the main employers in Ukraine, accounting for over 80% of all jobs. Ukrainian entrepreneurs demonstrate exceptional flexibility and adaptability, launching new businesses and expanding existing ones. Today, more than ever, it is crucial to support their efforts by providing financial and technical assistance, as well as opportunities to expand their export potential. Alliance members are already implementing more than 120 programmes and projects to support entrepreneurship and strengthen human capital. We are grateful to each of our partners for their contribution to Ukraine’s resilience and recovery.”

The SME Resilience Alliance was established during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) 2024 in Berlin. Co-chaired by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ), the Alliance aims to pool international resources to support the recovery and growth of Ukrainian businesses. With 36 members, the Alliance contributes through investments, policy consultations, and capacity-building programmes.

“Ukraine’s small and medium-sized enterprises need to be the engine for a sustainable recovery and lasting peace in the future. The SME Resilience Alliance will help achieve that goal,” — Lisbeth Müller-Hofstede, Deputy Head of Task Force Ukraine, BMZ (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeitund Entwicklung, BMZ), said.

The event "On the Road to URC2025" in Milan brought together over 550 Italian, Ukrainian, and international companies, along with representatives of governmental and non-governmental organisations. This event serves as a key milestone in the preparation for the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC-2025) in Rome.  

The programme featured panel discussions and working sessions focused on strategic development areas, including investment and access to finance, energy resilience and the green transition, the strategic role of small and medium-sized enterprises, and more.