Courage to Business: Supporting Veterans on the Path to Entrepreneurship

At People in Need, we have already conducted several successful projects to support entrepreneurship and community development. Our most recent project, "DOVIRA", was implemented in Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblasts, with 150 businesses receiving grants for development. However, supporting veterans' entrepreneurial activities is a new experience for us, unlike the Department of Economic Development of the Lviv City Council, which proposed that we become partners in this important programme.

"Many veterans have returned to a peaceful life. Some of them need to find themselves again, reintegrate, and resume their active roles in society. It's not an easy path. I'm confident that if we can teach veterans the basics of business and provide them with grants to start businesses, we can help them socialise," says Tetiana Lysychenko, Area Manager at People in Need.

Much attention will be paid to training participants, as experience has shown that veterans equipped with the necessary knowledge implement their business ideas more effectively. The course is 70% practical.

"The business course is modelled on an EU course but is fully adapted to Ukrainian realities. It covers business fundamentals, grant writing, marketing, the legal aspects of running a business, licensing procedures, and entrepreneurial mindset strategies. Participants will learn everything they need to know when starting a business," explains Yuliia Voytekhova, project curator from the Lviv City Council.

The first group is already completing their training. Among the participants are not only veterans but also the spouses and children of service members. Up to 200 people are expected to acquire business skills within a year. After completing the course, each of them can apply for a competition to receive financial support to develop their business.

"We plan to provide 100 grants throughout the year. The grant amount for existing businesses will be up to $5,000, while for beginners, it will be up to $4,000. In addition, winners will receive up to 100,000 UAH ($2,420) from the Lviv City Council," says Tetiana Lysychenko.

A virtual clothing fitting room, a beekeeping business, a tattoo studio, a café, an airsoft equipment rental, and a children's embroidered clothing store – the participants of the project have many ideas for their businesses. Among them is 24-year-old Andrii from Lviv. On the very first day of the full-scale invasion, he went to defend Kyiv. Later, as a member of the Special Operations Forces, he defended Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson Oblasts. He hasn't run a business before, but participation in the programme will be a great opportunity for him to start his venture.

"I expect support in creating my own business, socialisation, and transition to civilian life. If I receive the grant, I will use it to start a company specialising in the installation and sale of solar components. For me, it's important to develop alternative energy in Ukraine and make it more independent," Andrii shares his ambitious plans.

The dreams of those who defended their country or lost loved ones in the process are being realised with the help of the Czech people, who regularly donate to support affected Ukrainians. Realising such projects not only helps veterans find a new calling in civilian life but also contributes to the economic development of communities. Together, we are building a new, economically strong Ukraine.

Registration for the "Courage to Business" programme is ongoing. More details can be found at link.