RECOVERY OF UKRAINE’S ECONOMY AND BUSINESS RESILIENCE

  • Project Name
    Stiykist: Building a sustainable and inclusive Ukrainian Labor Market
  • Project Phase
    November 2024 to October 2026
  • Funding
    Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
  • Thematic focus
    Private Sector Development
    Partnership & Capacity Development
    Economic Empowerment

The project operates at both national and regional levels, specifically in Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions (excluding the city of Kyiv) — to support Ukraine’s economic recovery and resilience.

Impact in Numbers

800

іndividuals from vulnerable groups will be supported through vocational training.

120

grants for support micro, small, and medium-sized businesses of vulnerable groups

2400

people will receive mentorship or advisory support

1200

individual and group therapy sessions will be provided for 300 people 

6

VET schools will receive support in the form of materials and equipment

600

Individuals from vulnerable groups will improve their digital skills through training sessions by Beetroot Academy, aimed at gaining access to better income opportunities

330

employees of the National Qualifications Agency, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, and the State Employment Service will undergo training and exchange experiences with their Swedish colleagues

54700

business representatives participated in the 2024–2025 Ukrainian labor market assessment

New Opportunities for Employment and Business

We help people regain financial independence by providing multiple forms of support. Through the project, 120 grants will enable entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals to restart, improve, or launch their own businesses.

According to Helvetas’ Labour Market Assessment 2023-2025, we identified the TOP-10 most in-demand occupations across key economic sectors and designed short-term training programs for people who have been unemployed for an extended period.

Veteran Career Transition Support

Economic recovery is impossible without the full integration of veterans into the civilian labour market. In partnership with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the National Qualifications Agency, Helvetas strengthens a systemic approach to supporting veteran career transitions. We help translate military experience into civilian professions, aligning service-acquired skills with the demands of today’s economy.

As part of the research «Enhancing Career Pathways and Supporting the Civilian Employment of Ukrainian Veterans», we analysed more than 1,000 Military Occupational Specialities, 475 professional standards, 91 job descriptions, and conducted six focus groups with veterans and in-depth interviews with businesses. Based on these findings, three career transition pathways were identified — from full alignment of military skills with civilian professions to partial or no alignment, requiring short-term or more extensive vocational training.

In parallel, we support the institutional capacities of state partners: the Ministry of Veterans Affairs enhances communication and awareness of employment opportunities, while the National Qualifications Agency ensures the effective operation of qualification centres where veterans can validate their competencies or access upskilling and retraining programmes. Through systemic career counselling and close cooperation with employers, Helvetas helps veterans re-enter economic life and gain equitable access to new professional opportunities.

Strengthening the State Employment Service and the National Qualifications Agency

Economic recovery is not only about grants, advisory support, and training; it also requires strong institutions that shape employment policy and the labour market.

Helvetas supports the State Employment Service and the National Qualifications Agency in introducing modern approaches to employment and reskilling. This includes training, peer exchange with European partners, and alignment of the qualifications system with EU standards.

Helvetas, together with the State Employment Service and the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, presented the results of two large-scale studies
1/4
Almost 55,000 employers and about 70,000 unemployed people took part in the studies «Labour Market Assessment of Ukraine 2024–2025» and «Registered Unemployment in Ukraine»
2/4
The data will help the State Employment Service plan training programmes for jobseekers and strengthen cooperation with employers
3/4
Businesses will be able to build HR strategies based on high-quality analytics
4/4

UKRAINIAN
ENGLISH

Digital Skills for the New Economy

Today’s labour market increasingly requires digital competences. Under the project, Beetroot Academy delivers 6–12 month training programmes for 600 participants, helping them acquire IT professions and access well-paid employment opportunities.

Helvetas also continues to support the development of the national Diia.Business platform — a hub where entrepreneurs can access advisory services, learning resources, and business tools to start and scale their ventures.