Kyiv, 11 January 2023 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with financial support from the European Union and in partnership with chambers of commerce and industry and civil society organizations, has been bringing together regional enterprises to address critical business-related issues in the context of martial law. In the framework of this cooperation, over 1,500 representatives of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises participated in 136 educational and networking events in 2022.

Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia Chambers of Commerce and Industry – as well as the Eastern Donbas Regional Development Agency and the Luhansk Regional Development Agency, the project implementing partners – made contact with local and relocated businesses, analysed their needs and put together a comprehensive curriculum.

The webinars, mastermind sessions, expert consultations and round tables covered the most relevant topics for business support, including accounting, digital marketing, attracting investment, participation in grant programmes, tax changes, export operations, finding new sales markets, overcoming force majeure circumstances and much more. In addition, the event participants were given opportunities during study visits to learn more about the experience of successful relocated businesses.

Frederik Coene, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, noted that small- and medium-sized businesses are playing an important role in the economic recovery of Ukraine, which is suffering because of the war. “Despite the difficult circumstances, Ukrainian businessmen and businesswomen are striving for development, and we are ready to support them in every possible way,” he added. “The chambers of commerce and industry are playing a vital role in ensuring that local and relocated businesses can exchange experiences and cooperate for the benefit of communities.”

Christophoros Politis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, said that business support is one of the priorities of UNDP in Ukraine. “In cooperation with the European Union and other international partners, we will continue to provide assistance to Ukrainian enterprises in 2023,” he added. “This will make it possible to ensure stable livelihoods and jobs, particularly for the most vulnerable population groups.”

The events were organized with the assistance of UNDP within the UN Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme and with the European Union’s financial support.

Background

The United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (UN RPP) is being implemented by four United Nations agencies: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

Eleven international partners support the Programme: the European Union (EU), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, and the governments of Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org