Grant for creative business development for entrepreneurs

The program aims to support representatives of the creative sector, ensure the development of cultural and creative initiatives, create new jobs, and stimulate economic activity in the creative industries.

Entrepreneurs and artists whose activities correspond to NACE/KVED codes in the field of creative industries (approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 265-r dated 24 April 2019). These include:

• cinema, theatre, music, museums, libraries;
• architecture, design, advertising, PR;
• photography, publishing activities, media;
• game and software development;
• folk crafts and individual artistic activity.

Eligible costs (taking into account the limits):

• purchase of furniture, equipment, and vehicles (to be used for commercial and production purposes) necessary for conducting business activities, which may not be alienated until the terms of the agreement on providing a microgrant for the creation or development of one’s own business are fulfilled (except in cases of alienation as a result of enforcement by an authorized bank in accordance with a pledge agreement) – 100% of the grant amount;
• purchase of licensed software, domestic animals and poultry, perennial plantings, seedlings, seed material, raw materials, materials, goods, and services related to the implementation of the business plan (such expenses must amount in total to no more than 50 percent of the microgrant amount) – up to 50%;
• marketing and advertising services (such expenses must amount to no more than 10 percent of the microgrant amount) – up to 10%;
• rental payment for the use of non-residential premises and land plots to be used for commercial and production purposes (such expenses must amount to no more than 25 percent of the microgrant amount) – up to 25%;
• rental payment for equipment (such expenses must amount to no more than 10 percent of the microgrant amount) – up to 10%;
• leasing of equipment, except for cars, motorcycles, and other personal-use vehicles (such expenses must amount to no more than 50 percent of the total microgrant amount) – up to 50%;
• use in entrepreneurial activity of the rights of other business entities (commercial concession, franchise) – 100% of the grant amount.

Grant funds may be used for:

• purchase of equipment;
• purchase of raw materials;
• rental payments (no more than 25% of the grant amount);
• equipment rental;
• marketing and advertising;
• franchising.

• Submission of the application via the state services portal “Diia”.
• An interview with the grant commission, approximately 7–18 days after submission, conducted online using the Zoom platform.
• After the interview — waiting for the decision of the commission.
• The State Employment Service will review the application within 15 working days after the end of the final deadline for submitting grant applications and will notify the participant of the result via the “Diia” portal.
• After receiving the funds — the grant funds must be used within 6 months in accordance with the business plan.

• Check business reputation (including the credit score).
• Prepare a business plan using the required form and materials for interview preparation.
• Submit the application via “Diia”, verifying the data before submission.
• Attend the interview online using the Zoom platform.
• Wait for the commission’s decision; in case of a positive decision, contact the bank and open a grant account.

In accordance with the Procedure for Providing Microgrants, the decision to grant a microgrant is made by the State Employment Service on the basis of:

• verification of the business reputation of the recipient, carried out by an authorized bank in accordance with the criteria (Annexes 1, 2) (credit rating (must be from medium to high / not lower than medium; it can be checked on the website of the Ukrainian Bureau of Credit Histories: https://www.ubki.ua/credit-rating-ua); absence of tax debts; absence of unpaid fines; absence of seizures/arrest of property; absence of court proceedings/criminal cases; absence of prohibited NACE/KVED codes (alcohol, tobacco, weapons, rental, etc.));
• evaluation of the business plan in accordance with the criteria (Annexes 3, 4);
• evaluation of the interview in accordance with the criteria (Annex 5).

Priority will be given to projects that create jobs and demonstrate potential for sustainable business development in the creative sector, in particular in small and individual enterprises.

• Individual business plan.
• Reporting documents to confirm the targeted use of funds.

Information on the dates for submitting applications for participation in the “Own Business” grant program is available at the link.

After receiving the funds, it is necessary to:

• use the grant funds within 6 months in accordance with the business plan;
• hire employees in the number provided for by the terms of the grant;
• confirm the targeted use of funds with reporting documents.

The applicant’s activities must correspond to NACE/KVED codes in the field of creative industries (Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 265-r dated 24 April 2019).

Furniture, equipment, and vehicles purchased with the grant (for commercial and production purposes) may not be alienated until the terms of the agreement are fulfilled (with clarification regarding possible alienation as a result of enforcement by an authorized bank in accordance with a pledge agreement).