Starting 1 September 2026, Ukraine will launch the updated state grant programme “Vlasna Sprava” (Own Business), implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Environment of Ukraine. The new model offers significantly broader opportunities both for people planning to start their own business and for entrepreneurs seeking to expand an existing one.
The main change is the transition from fixed microgrants to a flexible funding model based on the scale of the project, the region, the sector of activity, and the applicant’s category.
The programme offers two types of support:
- For starting a business – from UAH 100,000 to UAH 300,000, with bonuses increasing the grant amount to up to UAH 500,000.
- For scaling an existing business – from UAH 500,000 to UAH 1.5 million, with bonuses increasing the grant amount to up to UAH 2.5 million.
Another important change concerns employment requirements. Previously, creating one or two jobs was mandatory for all applicants. Under the updated programme, this requirement has been removed for new businesses, while applicants seeking funding to scale an existing business are required to create only one new job.
Additional Opportunities for Internally Displaced Persons
The updated programme provides additional support for specific categories of applicants. In particular, internally displaced persons (IDPs) with more than six months of entrepreneurial experience or those who have relocated their businesses can receive an additional 20% on top of their grant amount.
Additional bonuses are also available for:
- young people aged 18–25;
- businesses registered as VAT payers;
- applicants creating additional jobs;
- holders of patents for inventions or utility models;
- entrepreneurs operating or planning to operate in frontline regions;
- veterans and veteran-owned businesses;
- businesses implementing projects in priority sectors of the economy.
Depending on the applicant’s category and the project’s characteristics, additional funding may increase the grant amount by 5% to 50%.
Grant funds may be used to purchase equipment and vehicles, renovate or lease business premises, automate and digitalise business processes, support marketing and branding activities, construct or reconstruct production facilities, and register intellectual property rights.
Who Can Apply and How
The programme is open to individuals aged 18 and over, sole proprietors (individual entrepreneurs), and private legal entities.
Applications can be submitted through the Diia portal. The application is then reviewed by an authorised bank, evaluated under a scoring system, and the applicant attends an interview at the Employment Centre. The final decision is made by the State Employment Centre.
Grants are provided in cashless form. Applicants may apply for another grant after successfully completing and confirming the implementation of their previous grant project.
Since the launch of the “Vlasna Sprava” programme in July 2022, the government has approved more than 34,000 grants worth nearly UAH 9 billion. As a result, more than 60,000 new jobs have been created, and over 7,000 Ukrainians have started their own businesses. Applications under the current programme rules can still be submitted until 1 August 2026.
This publication was made with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine. The content of the publication is the sole responsibility of the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and does not reflect the views of UNHCR.