Project “VIDNOVA”: Microgrant Competition

The project is implemented by People in Need with financial support from Switzerland. The program aims to restore income sources for war-affected people and adapt workplaces for vulnerable groups (IDPs, veterans, persons with disabilities).

Three grant types are provided: 

• for training (up to $2000);
• starting a business ($4000);
• and inclusivity for existing businesses ($5000).

1. Grants for individuals for education (retraining) — up to USD 2,000

Eligible applicants:

• individuals aged 18 years and older residing in eligible communities;
• persons with low income or no income;
• internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local residents;
• individuals planning to change careers or improve their qualifications.

Financial eligibility criteria:

• average monthly income per household member must not exceed 2.5 subsistence minimums;
• individuals without formal income are eligible to apply.

Priority is given to:

• persons with disabilities;
• internally displaced persons;
• single parents or guardians;
• individuals aged 50+;
• veterans and representatives of ethnic minorities.

Key participation requirements:

• training duration of up to 3 months;
• training may be conducted online or offline;
• the training provider must be officially registered;
• mandatory submission of proof of completion (certificate or equivalent document).

2. Grants for individuals planning to start a business — up to USD 4,000

Eligible applicants:

• individuals residing in eligible communities;
• applicants who have lost their job or business due to economic or war-related circumstances;
• individuals planning to officially register a business (sole proprietor or legal entity);
• applicants aged 18 years and older.

Financial eligibility criteria:

• applicant income must not exceed the defined vulnerability threshold;
• confirmation of income loss or business closure may be required.

Priority is given to:

• socially vulnerable population groups;
• applicants who have not previously received grant support;
• applicants developing socially beneficial businesses.

Key participation requirements:

• readiness for official business registration;
• implementation of the business idea within the defined timeline (up to 3 months);
• business activities must not fall under prohibited sectors.

3. Grants for micro and small enterprises employing vulnerable individuals — up to USD 5,000

Eligible applicants:

• officially registered micro and small enterprises or sole proprietors;
• businesses that employ socially vulnerable individuals;
• enterprises operating within Mykolaiv Oblast.

Eligible employee categories include:

• persons with disabilities;
• internally displaced persons;
• single parents or guardians;
• individuals aged 50+;
• veterans and representatives of ethnic minorities.

Key participation requirements:

• valid official business registration;
• formal employment of vulnerable workers;
• mandatory co-financing of at least 20% of the grant amount;
• business activities must align with the program objectives.

Note: Meeting these eligibility criteria is a mandatory condition for participation. Final approval and funding decisions are based on verification of compliance with program requirements.

The grant program provides financial support to different categories of applicants to promote professional development, entrepreneurship, and inclusive business growth:

Up to USD 2,000

Funding is available for individuals with limited economic opportunities to support education or retraining aimed at improving their professional capacity.

Up to USD 4,000

Financial support is provided to individuals who plan to start or develop their own business and require resources to implement their business idea.

Eligible expenses:

• restoration of business assets and startup costs;
• purchase of equipment and tools required for business operations;
• rent, renovation, and workspace setup;
• purchase of raw materials (up to 30% of the grant amount);
• salaries for newly created jobs (up to 30% of the grant amount);
• staff training, marketing, and advertising;
• legal and consulting services;
• other expenses directly related to project implementation.

Ineligible expenses:

• purchase of land or real estate;
• debt repayment, taxes, or travel expenses;
• vehicles, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, or pesticides;
• luxury goods, military-related, or restricted equipment;
• equipment for gambling or high-risk activities.

According to the Project conditions, the grant will be disbursed in two installments:

• 1st – 30%, immediately after signing the grant agreement between the winner and the organization “People in Need”;
• 2nd – 70%, after confirmation of business registration.

Up to USD 5,000

Grants are available for micro and small enterprises that employ vulnerable individuals, with the goal of supporting business adaptation, growth, and greater inclusion.

Eligible expenses:

• purchase or adaptation of specialized equipment for vulnerable employees;
• modification of facilities to create an inclusive and safe working environment (ramps, accessible workstations, adapted sanitary facilities);
• professional and technical training for employees;
• workplace improvements (lighting, ventilation, safety equipment, furniture);
• other measures supporting workplace adaptation and inclusion.

Ineligible expenses:

• purchase of land or real estate;
• alcohol, tobacco products, or debt repayment;
• vehicles and agricultural commodities;
• military, pharmaceutical, or restricted equipment;
• luxury goods and expenses unrelated to grant objectives.

Grant amount determination

The final grant amount is determined individually based on the submitted application and the justification of the proposed project budget.

Disbursement procedure

Payments are made in the hryvnia equivalent according to the official exchange rate of the National Bank of Ukraine on the first day of the month in which the grant agreement is signed.

The grant program provides not only financial support but also comprehensive assistance, including training, mentoring, and capacity-building activities. Supported activities and participation requirements are defined separately for each funding stream.

1. Grants for individuals planning to start a business — up to USD 4,000

Supported activities:

• provision of grant funding to start or develop a business;
• participation in free training and mentoring support;
• access to consultations on key business development topics;
• training in practical areas, including:

1. accounting and bookkeeping;
2. financial management;
3. business operations and organization;
4. business registration procedures;
5. improving financial literacy.

Participation requirements:

• meeting economic vulnerability eligibility criteria;
• residence or planned business activity within eligible communities;
• willingness to participate in training and apply acquired knowledge;
• implementation of a business idea aligned with the program objectives.

2. Grants for micro and small enterprises employing vulnerable individuals — up to USD 5,000

Supported activities:

• provision of funding to strengthen inclusive business operations;
• participation in trainings, information sessions, and roundtable discussions;
• support for initiatives aimed at improving workplace inclusion;
• involvement in advocacy and awareness activities.

Participation requirements:

• official business registration;
• employment or planned employment of socially vulnerable individuals;
• willingness to participate in program-related activities;
• focus on enhancing inclusion and social adaptation of employees.

The application process requires preparing the necessary documents, reviewing the guidelines, and completing the required forms. The specific requirements vary depending on the funding stream.

1. Grants for individuals for education (retraining) — up to USD 2,000

Main application steps:

• review the grant application guidelines and recommendations;
• prepare the required information about the training program;
• complete and submit the grant application in accordance with the program requirements.

Additional recommendations:

• carefully verify the accuracy and completeness of the provided information;
• ensure that the application meets all eligibility requirements.

2. Grants for individuals planning to start a business — up to USD 4,000

Main application steps:

• review the application preparation recommendations;
• complete the grant application with a detailed description of the business idea;
• prepare and attach the project budget;
• review recommendations on:

1. business model development;
2. financial planning;
3. market analysis and marketing;
4. risk management.

Important:

• the budget must be justified and aligned with the program objectives;
• the applicant must demonstrate readiness to implement the business project.

3. Grants for micro and small enterprises employing vulnerable individuals — up to USD 5,000

Main application steps:

• review the application completion guidelines;
• complete the grant application with details about the business activities;
• prepare and attach the financial plan;
• review recommendations on:

1. business planning;
2. financial management;
3. market analysis;
4. marketing strategy.

Additional requirements:

• the financial plan must demonstrate the feasibility of project implementation;
• the application must include complete and accurate information about the business.

1. Grants for individuals for education (retraining) — up to USD 2,000

Stage 1 — Technical eligibility review:

• submission of a fully completed application;
• confirmed intention to complete training or retraining;
• verification of the applicant’s economic vulnerability;
• compliance with geographic eligibility requirements;
• understanding of the project timeline (up to 3 months);
• accuracy and reliability of submitted information;
• no prior grant support from the organizing entity.

Stage 2 — Qualitative evaluation:

• motivation and justification for selecting the training program;
• alignment of the course with labor market needs;
• feasibility of completing the training within the defined timeline;
• employment prospects after completing the training;
• availability of certification or formal recognition;
• belonging to vulnerable population groups;
• priority given to applicants who have not received grants within the past year.

2. Grants for individuals planning to start a business — up to USD 4,000

Stage 1 — Technical eligibility review:

• submission of all required documents;
• confirmed intention to start or register a business activity;
• verification of economic vulnerability;
• compliance with geographic eligibility requirements;
• alignment of the business idea with program objectives;
• willingness to participate in interviews and verification.

Stage 2 — Business idea evaluation:

• relevance and feasibility of the business plan;
• justification of the budget and financial projections;
• risk assessment and financial viability;
• quality of the marketing strategy;
• potential positive impact on the local community;
• focus on socially beneficial services or activities;
• priority given to applicants from vulnerable groups.

3. Grants for micro and small enterprises employing vulnerable individuals — up to USD 5,000

Stage 1 — Eligibility verification:

• registered business activity;
• confirmed business operation experience;
• compliance with geographic and program requirements;
• verification of employment of socially vulnerable employees;
• availability of a workplace adaptation or development plan;
• accuracy and transparency of submitted information.

Stage 2 — Comprehensive business evaluation:

• justification of the proposed grant utilization plan;
• financial stability and capacity for resource management;
• risk assessment and business growth potential;
• quality of the marketing strategy;
• social impact on the community;
• willingness to provide co-financing (own contribution);
• expected impact on inclusion and job creation;
• priority given to enterprises that have not previously received grant support.

Note: The final funding decision is made by a designated selection committee based on the application ranking and overall evaluation results.

Participants will receive notification of the results of their application by email, as specified when submitting their documents.

After implementing business ideas, winners will be required to submit reports on the use of grant funds.

The grant program establishes clear rules for application submission and review procedures that applicants must follow to participate in the competitive selection process.

Key application requirements:

• applicants must fully and accurately complete all sections of the application, as this directly affects the evaluation outcome;
• only one application per household is allowed;
• a household is defined as one or more persons living together and sharing income and expenses;
• applications that do not meet the established requirements will not be considered.
• Review and selection procedure:

• the selection committee conducts a technical and formal eligibility review;

• if minor deficiencies are identified, applicants may be given the opportunity to clarify or correct the information;

• applications that successfully pass the technical review are shortlisted for expert evaluation.

Regulatory provisions and limitations:

• submission of an application does not guarantee grant funding or other support;

• grant decisions are made on a competitive basis;

• applicants are responsible for the accuracy of the information provided;

• compliance with all program requirements is mandatory for participation.