Veterans, veteran women, their families, and the families of fallen Defenders can participate in the grant program "It's Worth DOING YOUR OWN 2.0" and receive from 600 thousand to 1.6 million hryvnias to start or scale their business. The program is implemented by the Ukrainian Veteran Fund of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs in partnership with the Charitable Foundation "MHP to the Community" and the agricultural production company KERNEL.
Financial support within the "It's Worth DOING YOUR OWN 2.0" competition can be received by veteran businesses operating in the fields of agricultural production, woodworking, metalworking, food production and processing, and providing repair or maintenance services to property owners. This was announced during the program presentation.
"Veteran business is about capability, about believing in oneself, and about the state's response to that belief. Veterans not only defended our country — today they are creating jobs, launching new ideas, and restoring the economy locally. We are grateful to everyone who takes on the responsibility to start or develop their own business, returning to active life. And we sincerely thank our partners — the "MHP to the Community" Fund and KERNEL — for sharing this mission with us," emphasized the Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, Natalia Kalmykova.
How the competition will take place was explained by the Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veteran Fund, Karina Doroshenko.
"Today we are starting to accept applications for the grant program 'It's Worth DOING YOUR OWN 2.0'. Projects can be submitted for the competition until July 20. The names of the winners, who will pass all selection stages — from checking the availability of all necessary documents to evaluation by independent experts and public presentation of their business ideas, will be announced on September 17," noted the head of the Ukrainian Veteran Fund.
The size of the grant that winners of the competition can receive is from 600 thousand to 1.6 million hryvnias, depending on the project's budget.
Those who can participate in the competition include:
- veterans, family members of fallen (deceased) war veterans, and family members of fallen (deceased) Defenders of Ukraine who are registered as individual entrepreneurs;
- the wife or husband of a veteran who is registered as an individual entrepreneur, if the projects are aimed at reintegrating veterans into active social life, ensuring the preservation and restoration of their physical and mental health;
- legal entities (except for public and charitable organizations) registered no later than one year before submitting an application for participation in the competitive selection, among the founders of which are veterans, family members of fallen (deceased) war veterans, and family members of fallen (deceased) Defenders of Ukraine.
The owner of the café "Quiet Place," where the program was presented, is veteran Dmytro Martynenko. He previously received a grant as a winner of the "It's Worth 2.0" competition of the Ukrainian Veteran Fund and successfully implemented his own business idea.
"Thanks to the support of the Ukrainian Veteran Fund, we not only opened cafés — we created a space for motivation, socialization, and support for veterans. Our example inspires comrades and their families to launch their own projects, receive grants, and become part of the economy. Business helps us, veterans, return home, think less about what we had to go through. It also shows society that veterans are ordinary people. Veteran entrepreneurship is not just about business; it is about a new quality of life for defenders returning from war," emphasized veteran and owner of the "Quiet Place" café chain Dmytro Martynenko.
Detailed information about the competition conditions is available on the Ukrainian Veteran Fund website.
Applicants will have the opportunity to learn more about preparing documents, filling out project applications, the selection procedure, etc., and ask questions to fund employees during online workshops. The date and time of such meetings will be announced on the social media of the Ukrainian Veteran Fund.
Questions and clarifications regarding the submitted application package can be sent to the email [email protected], indicating in the subject line "Project Competition 'It's Worth DOING YOUR OWN 2.0'" and the application number.