The programme is designed to promote sustainable development approaches within the Ukrainian business community, implement innovative business models, and foster gender equality

Kyiv, 11 February 2022 – The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Ukraine initiated a launch of an innovative educational and consulting programme called “TERRA. Towards Sustainable Development,” addressing women-led micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the agri-food and adjacent sectors.

The programme was developed in partnership with the Centre for CSR Development Ukraine (CSR Ukraine).

The programme envisages conducting short-term interdisciplinary distance learning under the UNDP project "Building Forward Better: Post-COVID Recovery of Ukraine’s MSMEs towards Resilience and Sustainability", which is funded and implemented by the UNDP in Ukraine in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office and Diia.Business.

Overall, 120 MSME managers/owners engaged in farming, food processing, and public catering are expected to participate in the TERRA programme. Based on the results of competitive selection, participants will be divided into three groups according to their business experience and specialization in the agro-food sector:

•   Start group – 1-3 years of experience;

•   Expansion group – from 3 to 5 years of experience;

•   Leadership group – from 5 years of experience.

The training cycle of the programme will be carried out from March to May 2022, followed by a public presentation of business acceleration projects with the implementation of innovative sustainable business models. The creators of the 40 best projects selected among 120 presented will continue working on development projects accompanied by practical individual expert consulting.

Maksym Boroda, UNDP Project Manager, noted that the “TERRA. Towards Sustainable Development” programme is a UNDP Ukraine pilot initiative designed to guide women entrepreneurs and managers from building individual capacities in sustainable business development to implementing business transformation projects focused on sustainable business models, and integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into business practices.

“It is crucial for us to showcase to the Ukrainian business community that SDG-entrepreneurship is a pragmatic approach, which increases MSME competitiveness and resilience,” Boroda said.

Maryna Saprykina, Head of the Board of the Centre for CSR Development Ukraine (CSR Ukraine), pointed out that the TERRA programme will use a variety of tools to help women entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector to develop their business.

“These include 18 online webinars and working with coaches to improve their businesses,” said Saprykina. “In the business environment, such consulting services are costly, while with the help of UNDP, this program will be provided for motivated agri-food business owners at no cost. The programme is focused on the SDGs, and women entrepreneurship development, which, according to expert assessments, should enhance the sustainable development of cities and countries. Therefore, by strengthening women's businesses, CSR Ukraine along with the partners is developing our country."

To learn more about the TERRA training program, follow the link or access the Facebook page. Registration of participants will last untill 28 February 2022.

Media enquiries

Yuliia Samus, Communications Team Leader, UNDP in Ukraine, Yuliia.Samus@undp.org or +38 097 139 1475