Kyiv, 20 June 2025 — With the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan, a Resilient Business Hub has been opened in Kyiv – the second of 11 safe spaces for entrepreneurs that are to open in Ukraine in 2025.

These spaces help people continue to work as best they can uninterrupted, and with reliable power during air raid alerts or blackouts. Such a space in Kyiv is an important step towards supporting business in the face of uncertainty and daily challenges. 

This newly opened business hub is located in the premises of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It combines the functions of a modern coworking space, a space for events for business communities, and a consultation centre. The space can accommodate up to 15 workplaces, has a meeting room for 10 people and a conference room designed for up to 100 participants.

According to a UNDP study, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Ukraine’s economy: they account for 99.98% of all business entities, create 64% of added value, and provide more than seven million jobs. Despite this, businesses face several serious challenges, including reduced demand, shortage of qualified personnel, destruction of infrastructure, difficulties with access to finance, and high logistics costs.

UN Under-Secretary-General and Acting UNDP Administrator Haoliang Xu noted that the development of small and medium-sized businesses is a key element of Ukraine's sustainable recovery. He emphasized the importance of partnership between international organizations, government and business:

"The opening of the Resilient Business Hub in Kyiv demonstrates our unwavering commitment to Ukraine's future,” Xu said. “This initiative is a vital component of a comprehensive support system, empowering entrepreneurs to not only adapt to immediate challenges but to thrive, innovate, and drive sustainable economic recovery.”

“By investing in the resilience of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, we are directly contributing to the nation's structural transformation and ensuring that the private sector remains at the heart of building a more equitable and prosperous future for all Ukrainians.”

Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Vitaliy Kindrativ emphasized the importance of synergy between the state, international partners and business in creating a sustainable economy:

"This project is evidence of how the public, private and international sectors can work together to form an effective business support system,” Kindrativ said.

“Ukrainian entrepreneurs do not receive abstract assistance, but real tools for growth and entering new markets."

The opening of the hub took place during the “Infrastructure for supporting micro, small and medium-sized businesses: business intelligence and political dialogue” conference. The event was the final stage of the “Innovation and Trade: Partnership with Japan, Business Analytics" grant project, which is implemented by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with UNDP within the framework of the “Transformational Recovery for Human Security in Ukraine” programme, with the support of the Government of Japan.

Tadayoshi Hiraki, Commercial Attaché of the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine, emphasized that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the foundation of the economy. Ukraine's strong entrepreneurial spirit has been fostering innovation and enhancing the sustainability of its economy, Hiraki said. “From this perspective, the creation of Resilience Business Hubs is critical to enabling them to continue their business activities even under the most difficult conditions. Japan is committed to continuing its support for the development of Ukrainian SMEs, including through the sharing of best practices and experiences of Japan.” 

Gennadiy Chyzhykov, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, added: “This space symbolizes our common belief in the future of Ukrainian business. Together with international partners, we are building not just infrastructure, but a support system that helps entrepreneurs adapt and develop.”

Background:

Such Hubs are also to open in Vinnytsia, Volyn, Odesa, and Kharkiv regions – with their openings planned this year. UNDP and the Government of Japan are forming an extensive network of support for small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine. They are also opening offices to help entrepreneurs within the framework of the "Made in Ukraine" business support initiative. Currently, there are 88 such offices in Ukraine, 11 of which are supported by UNDP and the Government of Japan.  By the end of 2025, it is planned to open 100 offices, including 13 with the support of UNDP and the Government of Japan.

In addition, within this network, 151 points of support for entrepreneurs in administrative service centres are already operating at the local level in amalgamated territorial communities.

Media Inquiries:

Yulia Samus, Head of Communications at UNDP Ukraine, yuliia.samus@undp.org