Kyiv, 15 January 2026 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine have drawn up and approved a joint action plan for 2025-2028, to be implemented as part of the third phase of the “Strengthening Business Membership Organisations of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Ukraine" project.

Implemented with the support of the Government of Switzerland, the project determines shared priorities, roles, and coordination mechanisms among the partners. It aims to provide systematic support to business associations, which are key institutions for MSME development, as well as strengthen public-private dialogue and enhance the resilience and competitiveness of Ukrainian small and medium-sized businesses.

The project’s third phase marks a transition from crisis response to scaling up proven solutions. Its objective is to ensure the sustainability of business associations as drivers of regional economic development and to strengthen their capacity to consolidate, develop, and represent the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises.

The phase places particular emphasis on boosting the institutional capacity of business associations, expanding services (in particular business services) for their members, and building partnerships with public authorities, educational institutions, and international organizations. It also focuses on expanding and institutionalizing public-private dialogue and integrating business associations into a single, coherent ecosystem.

The project’s two previous phases focused on stabilizing business associations, establishing systems for training and mentoring, and creating new membership formats. Seven business associations received support during the first phase, and 27 in the second.

In total over the past 10 years, the project has provided support to around 100 business associations across Ukraine. In addition, 24 partner organizations have introduced multi-level membership models, covering nearly 25,000 MSMEs. UNDP-supported business associations have implemented voluntary transparency standards, expanded their range of business services, and actively engaged in policy advocacy, contributing to the adoption of dozens of laws and by-laws aimed at improving Ukraine’s business environment.

In the third phase, UNDP and the economy ministry will focus on working with platforms, networks, and umbrella associations capable of systematically influencing MSME development at both the national and regional levels.

Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, said: "Strong business associations are an infrastructure of trust between entrepreneurs and the state. In the third phase of the project, we’re moving from targeted support to systemic solutions: we’re strengthening the capacity of associations to provide quality services, influence policy, and be real partners in economic recovery at the regional level.”

As Oleksii Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, noted: “Business associations help shape policies based on the real needs of entrepreneurs and ensure effective dialogue on the ground. Together with UNDP, we are laying down a systemic model of support for MSMEs that works for the long-term development of the economy.”

This project is part of broader cooperation between UNDP and the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine. The “Made in Ukraine” offices network – access points for entrepreneurs to consultations, services, and government support programmes – are another notable product of this cooperation. 

So far, UNDP has supported the opening of 13 out of 100 “Made in Ukraine” offices, as well as providing capacity building for the entire network, helping local entrepreneurs navigate government support tools and develop their own businesses.

Background:

Phase 3 of the “Strengthening Business Membership Organisations of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Ukraine” project is being implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine with the support of the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO. 

The overall goal of the project is to increase the resilience and competitiveness of Ukrainian MSMEs, develop strong and financially viable business associations, and strengthen the trust and effectiveness of public-private dialogue as the basis for inclusive economic recovery.

Media inquiries: 

Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications and Advocacy at UNDP Ukraine, yuliia.samus@undp.org