On February 26, as part of the regional platform "Dialogue between Government and Business," created on the instructions of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, another online meeting was held with the participation of more than 90 representatives of business and government authorities in Donetsk Oblast.
During the event, two key issues were discussed: state support for entrepreneurship through grant programs and the organization of a barrier-free environment at business facilities.
Participants were given a detailed presentation on the opportunities offered by the "Own Business" program and grants for veterans and their families, which are being implemented as part of the government's "eWork" initiative.
Kateryna Ponomarenko, head of the project implementation department of the Donetsk Regional Employment Center's financial management, spoke about the conditions for participation, the amount of funding, the requirements for job creation, the specifics of support for entrepreneurs from frontline territories, and the algorithm for submitting applications through the "Dія" portal.
Special attention was paid to practical cases of entrepreneurs from Donetsk region who have already taken advantage of state support and are developing their own businesses.
The second part of the meeting was devoted to issues of accessibility in the business environment. Hanna Lyubimova, chief specialist of the urban planning department of the Donetsk Regional State Administration's urban planning and architecture department, explained to participants the legal requirements for ensuring the accessibility of facilities for people with limited mobility, as well as the mechanisms for a simplified procedure for installing access facilities.
They also discussed the possibility of receiving compensation for adapting workplaces for people with disabilities. They emphasized that accessibility is not only a legal requirement, but also a component of socially responsible business and expanding the customer base.
The event took the form of an open dialogue: participants had the opportunity to ask questions and receive practical explanations regarding the implementation of grant programs, business relocation, conditions for refunds in case of force majeure, and the adaptation of accessible spaces.
The work of the "Dialogue between Government and Business" platform in Donetsk Oblast continues. The next meetings will be devoted to topical issues of entrepreneurship development in the context of martial law.