Briefly
Program description
Zaporizhzhia City Council together with the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU), funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden, conducts a competitive selection to provide financial and/or material support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Zaporizhzhia. The programme is implemented under the SME Development Programme in Zaporizhzhia for 2026–2028. The partner organization is Chemonics Group UK Limited. Support is provided for business development.
Main Information
Eligibility
Within the grant programme, additional preference during the evaluation process is given to certain categories of applicants.
Priority may be granted to business entities whose owners or representatives have the status of:
- combat veteran;
- person with a war-related disability;
- family member of a combat veteran or a person with a war-related disability;
- family member of deceased Defenders of Ukraine;
- internally displaced person (IDP).
All categories are considered in accordance with the statuses and definitions established under Ukrainian legislation.
Financing
Funding within the grant programme may be provided from one or simultaneously from two sources, without duplication of equipment support.
The assistance may be provided:
- through the budget of the Zaporizhzhia City Territorial Community as reimbursement for purchased equipment acquired not earlier than 01 January 2024;
- through a partner organisation in the form of equipment procurement and direct delivery.
The amount of support depends on the number of employed persons:
- up to 3 employees, including sole proprietors of Group 1 — up to UAH 270,000;
- from 4 to 10 employees — up to UAH 550,000;
- from 11 to 100 employees — up to UAH 1,100,000.
The programme also states that the financial support is subject to taxation in accordance with applicable legislation, including 18% personal income tax and a 5% military levy.
Supported Activities
Within the grant programme, support is aimed at businesses operating in the manufacturing and service sectors.
Priority areas include:
- metalworking, woodworking, and furniture production;
- food manufacturing;
- production of plastic, rubber, and composite products;
- small-scale manufacturing of components, tools, and technical elements;
- production and supply of energy, electrical, and ventilation solutions;
- activities related to medical supplies and community safety equipment.
The programme also supports:
- repair, maintenance, and technical services;
- logistics, transport, and cargo services;
- engineering and production-support services;
- food and culinary services;
- automation of production and service processes;
- implementation of energy-efficient and digital solutions.
Funding may be used for:
- industrial, technological, and production equipment;
- tools, machinery, and repair kits;
- furniture for workspaces and production infrastructure;
- office and digitalisation equipment;
- generators, inverters, batteries, and charging systems;
- specialised transport or vehicles required for business operations.
Roadmap
- Application period: 30 Apr 2026–28 May 2026.
- Due Diligence procedure.
- Competitive selection.
- Signing memorandum of understanding with winners (for partner-funded support).
- Equipment transfer/reimbursement.
How to Apply
To participate in the grant programme, applicants may submit their proposals either in paper or electronic form.
Step-by-step application process:
- Prepare the application proposal in the official state language.
- Choose the submission format:
- paper submission — deliver the documents to 60B Nezalezhnoi Ukrainy Street, Zaporizhzhia, 69126, Department of Economic Development of the Zaporizhzhia City Council;
- electronic submission — send the documents to the official email address: reception.der@zp.gov.ua.
- For electronic submission, applicants must:
- submit documents in PDF format;
- use a qualified or advanced electronic signature;
- ensure the signature belongs to the head of the business entity or an authorised representative;
- indicate the business entity’s name in the email subject line.
The organisers additionally specify that the electronic signature must be based on a qualified electronic certificate.
Evaluation Criteria
Within the grant programme, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, as well as sole proprietors, may participate in the competitive selection process if they meet the established eligibility requirements.
The evaluation process considers:
- official registration and actual business activity within the city of Zaporizhzhia;
- payment of taxes to the Zaporizhzhia City Territorial Community budget;
- absence from national and international sanctions lists;
- absence of previously received similar assistance for the purchase or reimbursement of equipment;
- compliance with Ukrainian legislation governing state support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
For applicants funded through budget resources, documentary proof of equipment purchase, installation, and connection is required. For support financed by a partner organisation, applicants must provide access to the planned installation sites or participate in an online verification process of the premises.
Required Documents
To participate in the grant programme, applicants must submit a proposal to the Department of Economic Development of the Zaporizhzhia City Council either in paper or electronic form.
The mandatory application package includes:
- a support application form for participation in the конкурс selection;
- documents confirming the authority to submit and sign documents;
- an extract from the State Tax Service information system regarding tax settlements and unified social contribution payments;
- a declaration regarding the receipt or absence of state aid during the last three years;
- an extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities and Sole Proprietors;
- financial statements for the reporting period with proof of submission to the tax authorities;
- copies of VAT payer or single tax payer documents;
- a statement confirming the absence of criminal convictions or corruption-related offences;
- documents confirming veteran, IDP, or other eligible statuses, if applicable;
- information regarding ultimate beneficial owners.
For funding provided through a partner organisation, applicants must additionally provide:
- equipment expenditure specifications;
- certificates or online certification references for equipment and machinery.
If funding is provided through budget resources, applicants must also submit:
- documents confirming payment for equipment;
- technical documentation containing serial numbers or factory markings.
Reporting and Compliance
Includes:
- Due Diligence procedure;
- verification in Visual Compliance system;
- independent monitoring of equipment use;
- compliance with anti-corruption, environmental and gender inclusion requirements.
Legal Terms
Within the grant programme, selected beneficiaries are required to comply with all provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding, as well as applicable laws and regulations related to the use and storage of the provided equipment and materials.
The main legal and regulatory requirements include:
- compliance with integrity, transparency, and anti-corruption standards;
- consideration of gender equality and inclusiveness requirements;
- proper monitoring and reporting on the use of technical assistance and material resources;
- ensuring the intended use of equipment and supplied materials;
- signing transfer documents and memorandum annexes within the established deadlines.
Participants are also expected to:
- facilitate monitoring visits by programme representatives and partners;
- provide information regarding project implementation and equipment usage;
- promptly report any issues or changes that may affect project implementation.
The programme предусматривает several monitoring mechanisms, including:
- independent monitoring involving local monitoring organisations;
- direct observations and project inspections conducted by programme representatives.
Special attention is given to:
- compliance with environmental standards;
- occupational health and safety requirements;
- proper waste management, including hazardous waste;
- adherence to national legislation and international technical assistance regulations.