Our wartime experience with Ukrainian SMEs showed that:
Most entrepreneurs battle on courageously, but they experience a deep level of depression. Many are close to burn-out. News on Telegram channels is an absolute energy drain
They are occupied with short-term crisis management and have developed tunnel vision with a sole view on day-to-day survival. They find it hard to prioritise and get organized
They suffer from supply chain and sales channel disruptions, direct losses and damage caused by destruction of production assets, by the occupation, and by forced evacuations or voluntary relocation
BUT! The entrepreneurs stay resilient and hopeful. They continue looking for ways out of the wartime crisis
To survive during the war and get ready to thrive after the war most SMEs look at:
- optimise foreign supply chains
- tap into export markets
- optimizing business operations
- attracting finance
Ukrainian companies are open, interested, and eager to learn. And they understand that now there is a window of opportunity to build business bridges to the EU
Main areas of activity:
Study programs
business seminars for women entrepreneurs
Mentoring and coaching
support for the development of women entrepreneurs
Consultation sessions
on financing issues, including through grant programs and fundraising
Ukrainian Female Entrepreneur Profile
identification of barriers and opportunities for women’s participation in the economy
West Business Hub
relocation of female entrepreneurs affected by the war to safer regions of Ukraine
Help women agro in Ukraine and Oplich
initiatives for support women from agro and creative industries
LifeLine Ukraine:
- providing demand-driven material humanitarian aid to those Ukrainians who do not receive large scale support
- helping vulnerable small-sized women- and family-owned businesses to overcome the challenges caused by the war
- supporting the veteran community, including families of veterans, in their transition to a meaningful, dignified, civilian participation in the Ukrainian labor market
- contributing to early reconstruction efforts
- building effective partnerships with other Dutch and Ukrainian NGOs that share our Purpose, Vision, and Values
FAQ
How to register on the WINTrade website?
What are the selection criteria for the WINTrade website for Ukrainian SMEs?