Fair Opportunities for a Fresh Start in Business

Twenty-six percent of all businesses in Ukraine had to (almost) cease operations in the first year of the war, and another 50% had to reduce their activities. The World Bank estimates that up to 26% of the people in Ukraine – around 3.2 million – are now unemployed.  

The once prosperous and now restricted agricultural sector is forcing small farmers to find new sources of income. The need is also great in other sectors. 

Getting businesses back on their feet 

A large effect of ongoing conflict is its impact on the economic foundations and employment opportunities of future generations. Helvetas is committed to helping small and middle-sized companies (SMEs) get back on their feet, supporting the people involved in them to become financially independent again. Together with the NGO Mercy Corps and partners from Alliance 2015 (WHH and Concern), Helvetas is providing financial grants to help start up or rebuild small and medium-sized micro-enterprises. Support provided during the conflict will avoid business closures and maintain the economic resilience of Ukrainian society.

Adapt vocational training to regional demand 

In addition to houses and infrastructure, the war also destroyed businesses and retail chains, and many residents have lost their jobs, for example in the region of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine. Helvetas is therefore promoting training for professions that are currently urgently needed for reconstruction, including: welders, painters, heating engineers with a focus on renewable energies, financial controllers, plumbers and plasterers. This provides people with an income and strengthens SMEs.

The focus is on training displaced persons and those who have stayed behind in Kharkiv near the Russian border and in Dnipro. Helvetas works with vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, large families and single parents. Three courses are held in sign language.

Helvetas is also providing systemic support to enhance the vocational education training (VET) capacities in Kharkiv. Support will be provided to two VET institutions through in-kind goods for the replacement of damaged or outdated technical equipment, with a view to longer-term institutional collaboration to improve VET curricula and practice.

Through this project, Helvetas will also support its partners nationwide to collect data, monitor and support designing sectoral VET strategies that incorporate private sector demand and are tailored to each region. Helvetas is also strengthening online platforms such as Diia Business, which offers market information, documentation and support for developing and implementing a business idea. 

Finally, Helvetas will support direct access to employment through business platforms or business grants in several sectors, such as mechanics, construction or services. At least 325 individuals will benefit from Helvetas’ “training for employment” program and access to sustainable employment opportunities.