On September 2, Kyiv hosted the “Resilience Forum: Entrepreneurship During the War”, organized by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine. The event, dedicated to the third anniversary of the government’s grant program “Own Business”, brought together representatives of the government, international partners, business associations, and entrepreneurs from across the country. Participants discussed the program’s results, new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, the state of entrepreneurship in frontline communities, as well as labor market challenges caused by mobilization and population displacement.
From Donetsk region, grant recipients of the “Own Business” program took part in the forum: Maksym Sidich (production and sales of 3D-printed products), Liudmyla Kovalenko (shockwave therapy medical office), Sonia Nagapetyan (optics store), Mykhailo Laptiev (sample collection point, IQLab laboratory), Kateryna Didyk (showroom “Zaboi”), Maksym Lysenko (showroom “Zaboi”), and Nataliia Savelyeva (coffee shop). They shared their experience of starting and growing businesses with the support of the state, spoke about their achievements and plans, demonstrating that even under the most difficult conditions it is possible to implement ideas and develop the regional economy.
Acting Director of the Donetsk Regional Employment Center, Nataliia Adamova, emphasized the importance of partnership between the state, business, and the employment service in creating jobs and supporting entrepreneurs. According to her, the “Own Business” program has become an opportunity for many residents of Donetsk region to restore economic activity, gain confidence in the future, and contribute to the development of their communities.