Kharkiv, Ukraine, 7 February 2025 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the Kharkiv Regional Employment Centre, and with support from the Government of Japan, has opened regional "Made in Ukraine" offices in Chuhuiv and Nova Vodolaha in Kharkiv Oblast.

“Made in Ukraine” is a national initiative that helps Ukrainian enterprises develop and contribute to the strengthening of the Ukrainian economy.

The goal of the initiative is to support local small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, as well as those who want to start their own business, and to improve communication between the state and entrepreneurs.

While Kharkiv Oblast is a leading region of Ukraine in the retail real estate and small business segments, the full-scale war has had a significant negative impact on entrepreneurship in the region. According to the European Business Association, the ease of doing business index in the region has slumped by 50%. But despite this, the situation in the region has stabilized, and it is now in the top three in terms of the number of approved grant applications.

The "Made in Ukraine" regional offices in Chuhuiv and Nova Vodolaha are inclusive spaces where entrepreneurs will be able to learn about and apply to participate in state and regional development programmes. They can also undergo training on starting or developing their own business, learn how to apply for grants, and receive qualified assistance in interaction with government agencies, banks and other institutions.

Currently, 80 such offices are operating across Ukraine, contributing to the development of entrepreneurship and strengthening the country's economy. In the new offices in Kharkiv Oblast, existing and future entrepreneurs will be able to get advice on government grant programmes, including:

• "Own Business" grants for veterans and spouses.
• Grants for the gardens and greenhouses.
• The e-Home affordable housing lending programme.
• Affordable "5-7-9" loans: investment loans for the processing industry.
• A programme of 25% subsidies for the procurement of Ukrainian agricultural machinery and equipment.

Commenting on the opening of the new offices, Tetyana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of the Economy of Ukraine, said: “Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy and play a key role in the country's recovery. We’re grateful to our international partners for their significant support to Ukrainian businesses and opening these ‘Made in Ukraine’ offices. By the end of 2025, the Ministry of Economy plans to increase the number of ‘Made in Ukraine’ offices to 101. Our goal is to ensure that people in the regions can receive the necessary information, advice and resources in one place to start and develop their own business.”

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, highlighted the long-standing partnership between UNDP and the Ministry of Economy:

“We’re consistently supporting the Government of Ukraine, and consider the development of the private sector to be a key priority,” Cilliers said. “Our approach combines direct grants, infrastructure solutions and capacity building to improve entrepreneurs’ access to services.”

Ivan Dudka, Director of the Department of Economics and International Relations of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, said: “The opening of the ‘Made in Ukraine’ offices in Chuhuiv and Nova Vodolaha is an important step in supporting local businesses. We’re striving to create conditions in which entrepreneurs can not only survive in these difficult conditions near the front line, but also develop, opening up new opportunities for themselves and their communities. Together, we’re building up the economic resilience of the region – and of the country as a whole.”

Background

The "Made in Ukraine" regional offices in Kharkiv Oblast were equipped with the assistance of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Ukraine, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the State Employment Centre, and the Centre for CSR Development. The offices were opened within the framework of the "Transformational Recovery for Human Security in Ukraine" project, which is financially supported by the Government of Japan.

Media Inquiries

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Communications Team Leader, yuliia.samus@undp.org