The Government has expanded the eRobota project and is launching new grant programs for veterans to start or develop their own businesses. The decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on 30 March.
“Effective 10 April, the Government is launching new grant programs for veterans, which will allow them to receive financial support from the state to start or develop their businesses. Our defenders who want to be entrepreneurs or develop their businesses after returning to civilian life will be able to get a grant of UAH 250,000 to UAH 1 million. In addition, a defender’s spouse will be able to receive a grant of UAH 500,000 for the development of a family business. I would like to point out that a prerequisite for the grants is the creation of new jobs, and we expect veteran entrepreneurs to engage their fellow veterans in their businesses. This will help them integrate into civilian life and gain economic independence as soon as possible,” said First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko.
In particular, new grant programmes are being launched to provide the following grants:
- UAH 250,000 – for a combatant and/or a person with a disability caused by war, provided that one job is created;
- UAH 500,000 – for a family member of a combatant and/or a person with a disability caused by war, provided that two jobs are created;
- UAH 1 million – for a combatant and/or a person with a disability caused by war who has been registered as a private entrepreneur for at least 3 years, provided that four jobs are created, of which at least 2 will be held by veterans or persons with a disability caused by war.
Grants of UAH 500,000 and UAH 1 million will be provided on the condition of co-financing with the recipient at a ratio of 70/30, i.e. a grant recipient must invest 30% of their own funds into their business, while 70% of the funds will be provided by the state as a grant.
Entrepreneurs can use the grant funds to purchase equipment, raw materials, supplies, rent premises and vehicles necessary for the implementation of their business project, purchase licensed software and pay for marketing and advertising services.
Applications for grants can be submitted starting from 10 April via the Diia portal.
Furthermore, grant recipients will be able to receive free entrepreneurship training and be consulted at regional employment centres.
As a reminder, the Government’s eRobota project includes grant programs aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation. Moreover, these include microgrant programs for starting or developing a business, grants for establishing and developing processing enterprises, planting a garden, establishing viticulture and greenhouse facilities. Both existing entrepreneurs and people with no business experience can apply for a grant. Applications for all components of the eRobota program are currently open. Applications can be submitted via the Diia portal.