unique and motivating stories of entrepreneurs from different parts of Ukraine

After the full-scale invasion of Russia, Ukrainian small business found itself in extremely difficult conditions: the purchasing power of most Ukrainians significantly deteriorated, which led to a decrease in the profits of entrepreneurs. At the same time, the economic situation in the country was too risky to take loans to cover current needs and scale, so most entrepreneurs hoped to wait out the difficult times and, if possible, keep their own business.

Instead, now, in the 20th month of the war, everyone in Ukraine is already openly talking about recovery and reconstruction. One of the locomotives of these processes should be small business, which is the main filler of community budgets. In simple words, there will be no development of regions without the development of local entrepreneurship.

Grant programs are a possible option for local entrepreneurship in finding resources for development and scaling. One of these was launched by the “MHP – Communities” Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Ukrainian Veterans’ Fund of the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs, its name is #Варто “Doing Your Own”. Under this program, veterans and relatives of fallen defenders had the opportunity to receive from 500 thousand to 1.5 million hryvnias for starting and developing their own business in the field of agriculture and agro-industrial complex. The total budget of the competition was 15 million hryvnias.

“We have been holding a competition of business ideas to support local business every year since 2019. At the same time, we are constantly responding to new challenges: in 2020, it was quarantine restrictions during the pandemic, now – the consequences of a full-scale invasion. Currently, we are extremely glad that we can help with our programs and expertise to return to the lives of those who protect us and their families. Because all military personnel should know what awaits them, and the communities where they live are developing,” he comments Tetyana Volochai, Director of the Charity Fund “MHP – Communities”.

Supporting veteran businesses is a positive step both from an economic and social point of view. After returning from the war, our heroes are able to develop their own business, create jobs, and significantly help their communities.

“‎Such partnerships and collaborations carried out by the Ukrainian Veterans’ Fund, such as with the “MHP – Communities” charity fund, are about the significant strengthening of veteran business and veteran resilience in civilian life. Funding within the framework of the competitive program created in partnership was also received by farming farms, and limited liability companies, and individual entrepreneurs. The projects implemented by veterans and family members of fallen (deceased) war veterans within the framework of the #Варто “Do Your Own” contest are about national security and food security, and the key to the success of veteran farms. It would seem that the list of winners is from different fields of business, but all of them have a common denominator – love for their native land, the faith and stubbornness with which they work, and the hope that their work strengthens Ukraine and brings victory closer “, he says Natalia Kalmykova, executive director of the Ukrainian Veterans Fund.

Ukrainian Pravda. Life collected five stories of contest winners from different parts of Ukraine. All of them are an example of how, despite the war and various life upheavals, Ukrainians find the strength to start and develop their own business, create jobs and rebuild Ukraine by developing their business.