Individual cash assistance to support microbusiness initiatives from Prosper Global

The international humanitarian organization Prosper Global (formerly operating under the Mercy Corps brand), together with its partner organization NGO "Free People Employment Center", implements the Ukraine Economic Resilience Program (ERP). The project is carried out with financial support from Switzerland, provided through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The initiative operates in the city of Kyiv, as well as in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odesa oblasts, aiming to support microbusiness initiatives, strengthen self-employment, and develop micro-entrepreneurship. The main goal of the program is to help internally displaced persons and the local population affected by the war increase their income through entrepreneurial activities, overcome difficult life circumstances, create their own source of income, and reduce dependence on external humanitarian support while maintaining the resilience of Ukrainian communities.

• Target categories: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local population registered and residing in areas where military actions were or are being conducted (according to Order No. 376 of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine dated 28.02.2025) in government-controlled territory of Kyiv city, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odesa oblasts.
• Territorial exceptions: Applications are not accepted from areas of direct active hostilities, territories with limited access, or locations with a high risk to life and business.
• Sole proprietorship (FOP) status: Having or opening a sole proprietorship (FOP) is NOT a mandatory requirement for program participation.
• Re-funding prohibition: Participants who received funds in previous program years cannot receive assistance again.
• Restrictions for families: Spouses or cohabitants may submit applications, but only one application per business idea can receive support.

• Amount of assistance: The average financial support amount is $2,600 in UAH equivalent at the current NBU exchange rate. Funding is provided in the form of targeted charitable assistance.
• Eligible expenses: Funds are directed exclusively toward purchasing necessary items for running a business (production equipment, devices, tools, etc.). Purchasing vehicles is allowed only in exceptional cases when the necessity is clearly and convincingly justified in the business plan. If a participant plans an own contribution under co-financing conditions, these funds must also be directed exclusively toward purchasing equipment.
• Grant funds are strictly prohibited from being spent on:
  • Purchasing raw materials and consumables;
  • Construction materials, premises renovation, and rent;
  • Payment of employee salaries;
  • Payment for utility and marketing services;
  • Training and skill enhancement;
  • Paying taxes, paying off loans, or compensation for previously purchased equipment.

The program supports initiatives aimed at:

• Creating a new microbusiness from scratch;
• Restoring entrepreneurial activity that was affected or suspended due to the war;
• Developing and expanding existing micro-entrepreneurship or self-employment;
• Material and technical support for business through purchasing production equipment, devices, and tools.

1. Registration and application submission: Submission of the application form on the official program website.
2. Initial review: Checking the application for compliance with formal criteria.
3. Telephone interview: Communication with the candidate to clarify the details of the business idea.
4. Site visit: A monitoring visit by program representatives to the place of activity.
5. Business plan development: Preparation of a detailed document (with the support of program experts).
6. Committee review: Evaluation of the developed business plan by the internal committee.
7. Approval and agreement: Decision-making and signing of an agreement on the use of targeted cash assistance.
8. Financing: Transfer of funds to the grant recipient.
9. Monitoring and evaluation: Verification of the targeted use of funds and assessment of the achieved effect.

The estimated application review period lasts 6–8 weeks. Moving to each subsequent stage happens only upon successful completion of the previous one.

1. Registration: Go to the main page of the official Ukraine Economic Resilience Program (ERP) website and register an account.
2. Filling out the form: Complete the online application form in your personal account.

• Clear justification of need: A convincing explanation of why the business needs assistance, how it will help restore or expand the enterprise, increase profit, and create or save jobs.
• Alignment with goals: Full compliance of the business idea with the terms and objectives of the Ukraine Economic Resilience Program.
• Viability and realism: Practical feasibility of the business idea in current economic conditions.
• Participant capability: Business experience and the personal capability of the applicant to implement the project.
• Market understanding: A clear understanding of the sales market, customer flow, and competitive advantages.
• Socio-economic vulnerability: The presence of financial or social vulnerability of the applicant.
• Potential and impact: Overall potential of the business, justification of need, and its positive impact on the economic resilience of the region.

• Application form: Completed electronic form on the official ERP program website.
• Business plan: Developed during one of the application review stages with the support of program experts.
• Reporting documents (after receiving and using assistance): A full set of primary accounting documents (waybills, consignment notes, acts of performed works/services, invoices).

• Supporting documents: After spending the financial assistance funds, the grant recipient is obliged to provide primary accounting documents confirming proper and targeted use of funds (waybill, consignment note, act of acceptance of performed works/services, invoice, etc.).
• Monitoring visit: Organizers conduct a mandatory visit to the place of business operation to verify the presence and functioning of the purchased equipment.
• Legal status and sanctions: Funds represent targeted charitable assistance. In case of misuse or breach of agreement terms, Prosper Global reserves the right to act in accordance with current Ukrainian legislation.
• Taxation: The grantor acts as a tax agent for individuals (including sole proprietors) upon receiving targeted charitable assistance.

• Participation in the program and the provision of financial support are fully regulated by current legislation of Ukraine.
• Determination of the territories covered by the program is carried out strictly in accordance with Order No. 376 of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine dated 28.02.2025.
• All financial and legal obligations between the organizer and the selected winner are secured by an official targeted charitable assistance agreement.
• All project activities are governed by the Prosper Global integrity policy. Any assistance is provided entirely free of charge. If you encounter cases of extortion for reviewing an application or granting a grant, you must immediately report this to the email address integrityhotline@prosperglobal.org or via the special portal https://prosperglobal.i-sight.com/portal.