Grant Program to Support Microbusiness Initiatives

The program is implemented by Mercy Corps as part of the Ukraine Economic Resilience Program (ERP). Individual cash assistance is intended to support the launch, recovery, or expansion of microbusinesses for individuals affected by the war. The program targets internally displaced persons and the local population who have a viable business idea or are already engaged in entrepreneurial activities and need financial support to develop their businesses.

The programme is designed to support microbusinesses, self-employment initiatives, and microenterprise development in selected regions of Ukraine.

Key eligibility requirements include:

• Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local residents are eligible to participate.
• Applicants must be registered and reside in areas where hostilities have occurred or are ongoing, within territories controlled by the Government of Ukraine.
• The programme operates in Kyiv city, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odesa regions.
• Applicants from areas with active hostilities, restricted access, or a high risk to life and business operations are not eligible to participate.

The programme provides financial assistance to support participants in developing their own businesses and acquiring the resources needed for their activities.

Key funding conditions:

• The average amount of financial assistance is USD 2,600 in the hryvnia equivalent at the current NBU exchange rate.
• Funding is intended for the purchase of essential business resources.
• The support may be used to acquire tools, instruments, equipment, and other necessary items required for running the applicant’s business.

• Online application submission.
• Eligibility screening.
• Interview (if required).
• Application review and assessment.
• Funding decision.
• Financial assistance disbursement to selected participants.

To participate in the programme, applicants must complete mandatory registration on the programme’s main website. Applications can only be submitted after registration.

Key steps:

1. Visit the Mercy Corps programme page.
2. Complete the online application form.
3. Provide information about themselves, their household, and their business activity or business idea.
4. Describe the need for financial support and the planned use of funds.
5. Submit the application through the electronic system.
6. If required, complete an additional verification process or interview.
7. Await the funding decision.

Participants will be selected through a competitive process based on established evaluation criteria. The assessment will consider both compliance with programme requirements and the potential of the proposed business idea.

Key criteria include:

• A clear justification for the need for financial assistance.
• Compliance of the business idea with the programme’s objectives and requirements.
• Viability and realism of the proposed business idea.
• The applicant’s ability to implement the proposed project.
• Understanding of the target market and customer base.
• Previous business experience.
• Evidence of social or financial vulnerability.

Participants are required to provide complete and accurate information when submitting their applications. Mercy Corps reserves the right to verify submitted information and conduct additional assessments in accordance with the programme’s internal procedures.

Key provisions include:

• Applicants are responsible for the accuracy of the information they provide.
• Mercy Corps may carry out additional verification of applications and applicants.
• Final decisions regarding financial assistance are made according to the programme’s internal procedures.
• Mercy Corps and its partner organisations do not charge any fees for providing humanitarian assistance.
• If any payment or compensation is requested for programme-related services, participants may report such cases through the official feedback channels: https://mercycorps.i-sight.com/portal.