The Kyiv School of Economics and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine signed a memorandum of cooperation to increase the number of veterans who start their own business and develop startups. The document was signed by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Economy, Valentyna Sakhno, Head of KSE Graduate Business School and Svitlana Denysenko, Director of KSE Foundation.
During the event, the results of a grant program for veterans and their spouses were also announced.
Winners can receive state grants in the amount of up to 1 million UAH to start or develop their own business. The government program for non-refundable grant support of military personnel who have returned from the front line has been operating since April – during this time, the state received 197 applications, and experts selected 19 winners. Such first results of the Ministry of Economy were announced today, July 6, during a joint event with public and educational innovative organizations.
To increase the percentage of veterans who receive financial support, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the Kyiv School of Economics will join forces: KSE Graduate Business School, a leading business school in Ukraine and Europe, will provide support in developing an effective business plan and submitting a high-quality application for grant, and the KSE Foundation will finance consulting services.
“We have extensive expertise in consulting for small and medium-sized businesses, which we will use and offer to participants of the grant program. Services will also be available to those veterans who have already received funds – if they need expertise in assessing the business model or improving performance. And also for businesses that are just going to apply for a grant and need training and support in creating a business plan”, – says Valentina Sakhno, head of the KSE Graduate Business School.
The signed Memorandum of Cooperation is an important step in supporting soldiers returning to civilian life. Cooperation between the state and civil society will be one of the foundations for ensuring a stable and successful future for military personnel and their families.
“Veterans who have returned to civilian life, sacrificing their health, are not forgotten people who have gone nowhere. They are building the future of our country with us. And now they have the economic tools to do so. It is very valuable that the state gives the opportunity to the nonprofit sector, public organizations to be involved in this. As a charitable foundation, we are proud to be able to attract the attention of businesses and our international benefactors to support veterans. If we want to have a successful, economically stable state after the victory, we should work now”, – said Svitlana Denysenko, director of the KSE Foundation.
The event was also attended by representatives of the NGO “Space of Opportunities”, the Association of Entrepreneurs of JFO Veterans, DAI Global, the USAID project “Economic Support of Eastern Ukraine” and IREX Ukraine.
