Fair Opportunities for a Fresh Start in Business

Twenty-six percent of all businesses in Ukraine had to (almost) cease operations in the first year of the war, and another 50% had to reduce their activities. The World Bank estimates that up to 26% of the people in Ukraine – around 3.2 million – are now unemployed.  

The once prosperous and now restricted agricultural sector is forcing small farmers to find new sources of income. In other sectors, too, the need is great. 

Getting businesses back on their feet 

A large effect of ongoing conflict is its impact on the economic foundations and employment opportunities of future generations. Helvetas is committed to helping small and middle-sized companies get back on their feet, supporting the people involved in them to become financially independent again. Together with the NGO Mercy Corps and partners from Alliance2015 (WHH, Concern and CESVI), Helvetas is providing financial grants to help start up or rebuild small and medium-sized micro-enterprises. Support provided during the conflict will avoid business closure and maintain the economic resilience of Ukrainian society. 

Adapt vocational training to regional demand 

Helvetas is also providing systemic support to enhance the vocational education training (VET) capacities in the region of Kharkiv. Support will be provided to two VET institutions through in-kind goods for the replacement of damaged or outdated technical equipment, with a view to longer-term institutional collaboration to improve VET curricula and practice.

Through this project, Helvetas will also support its partners nationwide to collect data, monitor and support designing sectorial VET strategies that incorporate private sector demand and are tailored to each region. Helvetas is also strengthening online platforms such as Diia Business, which offers market information, documentation and support for developing and implementing a business idea.

Finally, Helvetas will support direct access to employment through business platforms or business grants in several sectors such as mechanics, construction or services. Consequently, 310 people will benefit from Helvetas’ “training for employment” program and access to sustainable employment opportunities.

The project focuses on vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, large families and single parents.