Small Business Grant Program

The grant program is implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and is aimed at supporting small businesses in Ukraine.

Main objectives of the program:

• to contribute to the recovery of Ukraine’s economy;
• to support job creation and production development;
• to meet demand for essential goods and services.

Small businesses can apply through an online application form, where detailed information on requirements and funding conditions is provided.

The program is implemented within the project “Resilience+: Economic Integration of Internally Displaced Persons and War-Affected Populations”, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank.

Eligibility for participation in the grant program is defined by several general criteria for applicants.

• Applicants must be businesses registered for at least 1 year before submission.
• The business must be registered in Ukraine and owned by Ukrainian citizens.
• There must be a commitment to creating new jobs.

Geographical requirements:

• Kyiv city and Kyiv region;
• Chernihiv city and Chernihiv region;
• Sumy city and Sumy region.

Additional criteria for small enterprises:

• 10–50 employees;
• creation of at least 3 new jobs through the grant.

Funding amount:

• the maximum grant is up to EUR 20,000 (in UAH equivalent based on UN exchange rates);
• the UN exchange rate is updated twice a month;
• beneficiaries are responsible for paying all applicable taxes and fees.

Non-eligible sectors/expenses:

• activities related to weapons, alcohol, or tobacco;
• radioactive materials, pharmaceuticals, pesticides;
• medical institutions and pharmacies;
• luxury goods and gambling equipment.

The grant program supports specific types of activities related to business development.

• Grant funds may be used for purchasing specialized equipment and tools required for production or business operations.
• Renovation and arrangement of premises are eligible, including furniture and shelving.
• Procurement of raw materials is allowed — up to 50% of the total grant amount.
• All activities must be completed within up to 3 months.

• All project activities must be planned within up to 3 months.
• The application deadline is May 15, 2026.
• The organizers will contact only the selected applicants within three weeks of the application deadline.

Therefore, applicants are expected to prepare their proposals in advance and ensure a realistic implementation plan within the defined timeframe.

To enter the contest, please fill out the application form at https://ee.kobo.iom.int/x/orlfl1H0

The evaluation of applications within the grant program is based on compliance with requirements and prioritization of specific applicant groups.

• All applications that meet the stated requirements are considered.
• Priority is given to projects supporting businesses affected by war.
• Higher preference is assigned to:
  • damaged, destroyed, or relocated businesses;
  • businesses led by veterans, women, and youth;
  • enterprises supporting vulnerable populations;
  • businesses operating in rural areas.

Within the grant program, a dedicated stage is предусмотрений for final oversight of project implementation.

• The fourth stage involves reporting and evaluation of project outcomes.

This indicates that after completing planned activities, participants are expected to undergo reporting and assessment of their results.

The legal framework of the grant program covers both implementation stages and financial obligations of participants.

• The process consists of several stages:
  1. initial screening (verification of application compliance);
  2. preparation and presentation of a business plan (final selection);
  3. contract signing and grant disbursement followed by monitoring;
  4. reporting and evaluation of project results.
• Grant recipients are responsible for paying all taxes and related charges associated with the grant funding.