Start your own business or expand and take your existing business to the next level. Defenders of Ukraine and their family members can receive grant support from the state.
You can find the schedules here: https://diia.gov.ua/kincevi-stroki-podannya-zayav-na-otrimannya-granitiv
"Own Business" — up to UAH 1,000,000 in grant support.
up to UAH 250,000 — 1 job;
250,000–500,000 hryvnia (for certain regions) — 2 jobs;
500,000–1 million hryvnia (for certain types of activities) — 4 jobs.
Starting in early 2025, there will be changes to the Own Business program for veterans.
For veterans, female veterans, and their spouses who receive a grant:
they are given the opportunity to extend the project implementation period from 3 to 7 years.
They can independently determine the term of implementation of their business project: 3, 5, or 7 years. During this time, the grant must be repaid in the form of taxes and fees paid to the budget from the activities of the enterprise for which the funds were received.
Veterans who have successfully implemented their project and repaid the grant with taxes and fees can apply for another grant (this option is available once).
How to get a grant? Applications can be submitted online through the Diya portal.
- Register or log in to your citizen account using BankID or an electronic signature. (Please note: if you are a sole proprietor or legal entity, you must use the key of the sole proprietor or head of the legal entity from the Unified State Register of Enterprises and Organizations of Ukraine.)
- Fill out the online application.
- Attach a business plan in the required format. (Program partners can help veterans create a business plan. They provide mentoring support, consulting, business analysis, and other services. An example of a completed business plan can be found in Actions.)
- Sign the application with an electronic signature.
If the application is submitted by a husband or wife, the veteran must approve it with their electronic signature.
If you need offline advice on the program, you can contact your nearest Oschadbank branch.
When can I expect a response?
The State Employment Center reviews applications within 10 business days after the deadline for submission. A notification will also appear on the Diya portal.
Grant money can be spent on:
- furniture, equipment, and vehicles for commercial use;
- licensed software (up to 50% of funds);
- raw materials, supplies, goods, and services necessary for implementing the business plan, as well as animals or seedlings for establishing farms (up to 70% of funds);
- marketing and advertising services (up to 10% of funds);
- rental of non-residential premises or land for commercial and production purposes (up to 25% of funds);
- rental of equipment (up to 30% of funds);
- leasing of equipment, except for own vehicles (up to 50% of funds);
- purchase of a franchise.
Since April 2023, veteran grants have helped more than 2,000 Ukrainians start their own businesses. More than 4,000 new jobs have been created in the process. Thus, 31% of grant recipients have opened shops and workshops, 15% have opened cafes or coffee shops, 13% manufacture goods, and another 10% provide services.
Where to find current government grants?
- The Diya portal → eRobota is the main resource for submitting applications.
- Website of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine – updates on government grant programs.
- Website of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine – news about grants and support for veteran businesses.
- State Employment Center – regional competitions and grants.
The "Opportunities for Veterans" information campaign is being implemented as part of a partnership between the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Reintegration Program, which is being implemented by IREX with the support of the U.S. Department of State. The content is the sole responsibility of IREX and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of State.