Supporting business in times of war
Published: Mar 24, 2026 Reading time: 2 minutes Share: Share an articleRegular shelling, prolonged power cuts, and the loss of employees and customers are the daily reality for Ukrainian businesses. Despite these challenges, entrepreneurs continue to operate, create jobs, and sustain the economic life of their communities. They provide essential goods and services and are also laying the foundation for the country’s recovery. Recognising this, we have implemented grant programmes to help entrepreneurs restore and grow their businesses even under the most difficult circumstances.
Mariia from Kharkiv has always had a connection to bread.
“Before the war, I worked in a supermarket. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we continued baking bread for people. But eventually, the supermarket closed,” Mariia recalls.
Kharkiv has long be subjected to relentless bombing, forcing many, including Mariia, to leave the city. Yet, Mariia made the courageous decision not only to return home but also to start her own business—a small but welcoming bakery.
Today, the bakery produces sourdough bread, pastries, and freshly-prepared lunches. Customers have fallen in love with the taste of her food! Demand has grown so much, that Mariia has had to expand her semi-prepared food production. As the business develops, new jobs are being created. The bakery now employs four people, including internally displaced persons.
“We’ve been working non-stop for two years. When there’s no electricity, we switch to the generator. There are explosions sometimes. But we have to keep working—for ourselves and for others,” says Mariia.
Mariia expanded her business thanks in part to grant support from our team at People in Need Ukraine, and with funding from the US Department of State.
“With the grant funding, we bought refrigerated display cases, a freezer, furniture, and equipment for the production workshop,” she adds.
To help entrepreneurs adapt, grow, and scale their businesses, we have implemented several grant programmes in the Kharkiv Oblast. With the support of the American people, 40 war-affected businesses received grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. We provided an additional 22 start-up grants of up to $4,000 with the support of the Swiss government.
“Many businesses in Kharkiv Oblast have suffered not only physical destruction but also psychological strain. Business owners face daily challenges—from sourcing supplies and paying salaries to finding customers. Entrepreneurs are forced to operate on generators and spend significant amounts on fuel, which greatly increases operational costs. That is why supporting businesses is an investment in the resilience and recovery of entire communities,” concludes Vlada Olefir, Senior Programm Officer, People in Need Ukraine.
