Helvetas Ukraine

🔎 How to encourage businesses to hire people from vulnerable groups? Could the Outcomes-Based Financing (OBF) mechanism help change the situation? Recently, Helvetas Ukraine, the Instiglio team, representatives from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine discussed new research that examines the potential use of OBF in Ukraine and its impact on the inclusiveness of the labor market. The participants learned about the ministry's experience in using incentives to improve employment for vulnerable populations. They also explored how OBF could complement existing programs to enhance their effectiveness. In Ukraine, programs already exist that encourage businesses to hire people with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other vulnerable groups. For example, as explained by the Ministry of Economy representatives during the meeting, employers are reimbursed for wages paid to IDPs for the amount of the minimum wage for three months, or for six months for people with disabilities. There is also a mechanism for compensating 50% of the actual wage costs for combat veterans and pre-retirement individuals. However, OBF ties financing to specific, measurable results at various stages of employment. This means that an employer is interested not only in hiring a person from a vulnerable category but also in helping them adapt to the new workplace. 💸 Financing is provided not as a one-time payment but in stages, for example, after specialized training for the employee, successful performance over six months, and after one year. As part of the research, experts are analyzing international experience with OBF, the current situation in Ukraine, and specifically the availability of jobs for vulnerable categories. A discussion on the possibilities of implementing OBF with the Ministry of Social Policy has already taken place. We continue to explore the best international practices to make the Ukrainian labor market more accessible and to address the needs of every individual🙌 ℹ️ The research is being carried out by Instiglio and Helvetas Ukraine with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as part of the initiative «Inclusive and Adaptive Workforce Participation – Exploring the Feasibility of Outcomes-Based Financing».

🔎 How to encourage businesses to hire people from vulnerable groups? Could the Outcomes-Based Financing (OBF) mechanism help change the situation? Recently, Helvetas Ukraine, the Instiglio team, representatives from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine discussed new research that examines the potential use of OBF in Ukraine and its impact on the inclusiveness of the labor market. The participants learned about the ministry's experience in using incentives to improve employment for vulnerable populations. They also explored how OBF could complement existing programs to enhance their effectiveness. In Ukraine, programs already exist that encourage businesses to hire people with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other vulnerable groups. For example, as explained by the Ministry of Economy representatives during the meeting, employers are reimbursed for wages paid to IDPs for the amount of the minimum wage for three months, or for six months for people with disabilities. There is also a mechanism for compensating 50% of the actual wage costs for combat veterans and pre-retirement individuals. However, OBF ties financing to specific, measurable results at various stages of employment. This means that an employer is interested not only in hiring a person from a vulnerable category but also in helping them adapt to the new workplace. 💸 Financing is provided not as a one-time payment but in stages, for example, after specialized training for the employee, successful performance over six months, and after one year. As part of the research, experts are analyzing international experience with OBF, the current situation in Ukraine, and specifically the availability of jobs for vulnerable categories. A discussion on the possibilities of implementing OBF with the Ministry of Social Policy has already taken place. We continue to explore the best international practices to make the Ukrainian labor market more accessible and to address the needs of every individual🙌 ℹ️ The research is being carried out by Instiglio and Helvetas Ukraine with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as part of the initiative «Inclusive and Adaptive Workforce Participation – Exploring the Feasibility of Outcomes-Based Financing».

Entrepreneurs from Kharkiv, Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk regions can receive 117,000 UAH! That grant will be provided to entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals who are socially or financially vulnerable and wish to improve their business. Who will be given priority ❓ ▪️ Internally displaced persons;  ▪️ People from socially vulnerable categories (e.g. veterans and their families, people with disabilities, parents of large families, people whose homes were lost or damaged due to the war);  ▪️ People who have lost income due to the war and others. It's planned that around 50 grants will be awarded during the project. During the selection process, priority will be given to various sectors of entrepreneurship, including construction and repair services, auto services, beauty industry services, HoReCa, small-scale farming, handmade products. ⏰ Application deadline — February 9, 2025 (inclusive). 🔗 The application form and the list of documents required for participation can be found at the following link: https://bit.ly/3PE9GQ6 On January 30, our experts will hold an informational session for those interested in applying for the grant and want to learn more about the application process. To participate, please register by January 29 via the link provided in the comments under this post. ℹ️ This call is held under the project «Contributing to favourable economic development environment for returnees, IDPs and war-affected population of Ukraine» implemented by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation with the support of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the Czech Development Agency.

Helvetas Ukraine and the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine are strengthening their cooperation to help people from vulnerable groups find employment. A memorandum was signed outlining the areas of prospective collaboration: ▪️ сonducting research and preparing analysis on relevant topics; ▪️ sharing best international practices to make the labor market in Ukraine more inclusive and accessible for veterans, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups; ▪️ communication support for social policy initiatives, among other things. 🔍 Additionally, representatives of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) took part in the meeting. They shared details about a new study being conducted by Helvetas and Instiglio with the support of FCDO. The study aims to explore the potential of Outcomes-Based Financing mechanisms to improve labor market inclusivity in Ukraine. ℹ️ The research is being carried out by Instiglio and Helvetas Ukraine with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as part of the initiative «Inclusive and Adaptive Workforce Participation – Exploring the Feasibility of Outcomes-Based Financing».

🙌 Here’s the story of our grantee Kseniia Plakhtii. She is the owner of the Kharkiv-based indoor plant studio «Plantastik». The idea to start her own business came to Kseniia in 2020. At first, she had just a few types of plants and personally delivered them to customers. In two years, she managed to build a base of regular clients and expand her services. The entrepreneur began offering office, commercial, and private space greening services, and even planned to rent a space for offline work. 😔 The start of the full-scale invasion disrupted her plans and delayed the development of the business. But Kseniia didn’t give up: she adapted to the new conditions and, in addition to her usual services, began offering plant care for indoor plants in homes where owners had left Kharkiv due to Russian aggression. ✨ Over time, «Plantastik» grew into a full-fledged indoor plant studio located in the heart of the Kharkiv. Now, the studio specializes in the sale of plants, their repotting and treatment, and interior greening. For those who want to learn how to properly care for plants, they conduct workshops. Additionally, the studio makes and sells stylish gypsum planters. Customers appreciate the opportunity to buy handcrafted accessories that highlight the uniqueness of their plants 🌷 Kseniia Plakhtii also has greenhouse in the village of Pechenihy, in the Kharkiv region, where she can grow indoor plants for the studio’s needs and work as a wholesale supplier to other flower shops in Kharkiv. ☝️ Thanks to participation in the Helvetas grant program, Ksenia was able to invest in the development of her business by improving the operation of the greenhouse. She purchased plants for propagation and silicone molds for making planters. The development of the greenhouse won't only make the business more sustainable but also reduce dependence on imports, which are often disrupted due to the ongoing military actions. ℹ️ This Project is implemented by Helvetas with the support of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) as part of the Ukraine Economic Resilience Program (ERP). The program is implemented by the ERP consortium consisting of Mercy Corps, Right to Protection, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, and JERU (Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine of Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide). #HelvetasUkraine #Kharkiv #successstory #economic #resilience

🚀Restarting a business in a time of war – Helvetas supported a training course for entrepreneurs On December 19, the Association of Private Employers held the final lesson of the course ‘Restructuring Business in a Time of War’ to help Ukrainian entrepreneurs adapt to the challenges of war. Launched in November 2024 with the support of Helvetas Ukraine, the training course provided participants with the knowledge, skills, advice, and contacts to run a business effectively in difficult conditions. 🏆The culmination of the final lesson of the event was a negotiation tournament, in which the best graduates demonstrated their skills and strategic thinking. The winner was Yulia Goryun, who brilliantly coped with all the challenges! The participants received certificates of completion of the course, which became a source of new knowledge, and a platform for sharing experiences and building useful contacts. 🙏Helvetas Ukraine is proud to contribute to developing small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine, as this is an important step towards strengthening the economy and rebuilding the country. 💙💛Thank you to all partners, trainers, and participants for their work, determination, and commitment to development. Your success is an inspiration for the Helvetas team! The training was implemented with the support of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) as part of the Ukraine Economic Resilience Programme (ERP). The programme is implemented by the ERP consortium consisting of Mercy Corps, Right to Protection, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, and JERU (Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine of Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide). #HelvetasUkraine #BusinessAssociations #RecoveryUkraine #SMEDevelopment

💼 Business Associations as a Key to Engaging the Private Sector in Reforms and Recovery – Helvetas Supported the Forum in Kyiv On December 19, Kyiv hosted the forum ‘Development of Business Associations in Ukraine: Engagement, Standards, Dialogue’, which aimed to discuss effective approaches to developing a network of business associations in Ukraine. 🔹Anastasia Baklan, Helvetas Project and Partnership Manager: Helvetas highly values the contribution of business associations to addressing issues related to economic recovery, creating a more favorable business climate in Ukraine, and providing necessary services for MSME. Our goal within the forum is to consolidate the efforts of international donors, the state, the civic sector, and all stakeholders to improve the functioning of business associations. 🔹Liubomyr Chornii, Center for Public Expertise Project Manager and National MSME Platform Member of the Coordinating Council: For us, this forum is the first event of its kind where we discuss critically important topics for entrepreneurship development, especially through the lens of business associations. We have ambitious plans to make this event an annual tradition to continue finding joint solutions for fostering entrepreneurship and supporting business associations in Ukraine. 🔹Pavlo Sheremeta, Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine (2014): Entrepreneurs need funding, education, and community to grow and scale. Entrepreneurial associations are a powerful force that helps defend their interests and acts as a driving force for development. They provide an opportunity to learn from and collaborate with the best. 🔹Vladlen Sysun, UNDP Project ‘Strengthening MSME Membership Business Associations in Ukraine’ Organizational Development Coordinator: Our priority and focus are to provide comprehensive support to business associations, including facilitation of events, and engaging experts. Over the past years, we have collaborated with more than 40 business associations, and a new support package for Ukrainian entrepreneurial associations is being prepared for 2025-2028. 🔹Natalia Slynko, East Europe Foundation (EEF) Vice President of Program Activities: 90% of civil society organizations want to participate in rebuilding the country and their communities. However, to access grant opportunities, these organizations must improve financial and administrative procedures, implement project management and human resource strategies, establish effective communications, and enhance technical capabilities. The forum is organized by the SME National Platform within the framework of the UNDP Ukraine Project ‘Strengthening MSME Business Associations in Ukraine’, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and with the support of Switzerland. The forum was made possible thanks to Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation and Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), and collaboration with Ukrainian Business Council.

🔎Demographic Challenges and Economic Prospects of Ukraine: Analysis by Helvetas and KI Insights On December 10, Helvetas and the KI Insights analytical platform held a briefing on forecasting demographic changes in Ukraine. The event focused on the impact of the war on migration flows, labor market transformation, and economic opportunities. 📈 Socio-Demographic Dynamics: ▪️ The population has decreased to 28–36 million due to migration, declining birth rates, and losses caused by the war. ▪️ The issue of labor shortages persists, with the unemployment rate around 15%. ▪️ The return of 7 million Ukrainians abroad and the integration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are strategic priorities. 💡 Economic Recovery and Growth Opportunities: ▪️ Expected GDP growth in 2024 at 3–5% offers hope for gradual recovery. ▪️ Key recovery drivers: healthcare, energy, and mining industries. Demand for specialists in these sectors is increasing. ▪️ 90% of businesses are adopting new technologies, making digital skills and soft skills like teamwork and stress resilience more critical than ever. 🛠 How to Overcome Challenges? 1️⃣ Scale up vocational training and retraining programs. 2️⃣ Create conditions for equal job access for women, youth, and veterans. 3️⃣ Develop digital literacy to meet technological trends. 4️⃣ Support small and medium-sized businesses by implementing systemic reforms. The comprehensive socio-demographic and economic assessment presented during the briefing was made possible through data collection and analytical work conducted by Helvetas Ukraine. 📊 Explore the report and data: 📌 Briefing report: bit.ly/4grW7PC 📌 Helvetas labor market research: bit.ly/3P3vWT5 📌 Interactive data dashboard: bit.ly/4fpLVps Together, we will build a better future for Ukraine! #HelvetasUkraine #Demography #UkraineRecovery #EconomicResilience

💼 We continue to share the stories of our grantees! Andrii Afanasiev and his wife Ophelia are entrepreneurs from Kharkiv who, despite all the challenges, continue to live and work in their hometown. Before the full-scale invasion, the couple was engaged in the sewing business, but in March 2022, a missile strike destroyed their multi-story house and workshop. 🚀 Nevertheless, even in such difficult conditions, Andrii and Ophelia decided to start a new business – food production. They registered the trademark ‘Pani Shef’ and opened their store. 🍴 At first, the couple made sweet products. Later, their assortment included stews, pates, and ready-to-eat lunches. The new stage of development became possible thanks to grant support from Helvetas. The grant helped Andriy and Ophelia purchase a blast freezer to launch a line of frozen semi-finished products. 🔥’Pani Shef’ provides Kharkiv residents with quality products and proves that even in the most difficult times, new development opportunities can be found! We sincerely rejoice at the success of Andriy and Ophelia and are proud to have the opportunity to support Ukrainian businesses! 👉Follow our projects and discover new opportunities to grow your business with Helvetas Ukraine. This Project is implemented by Helvetas with the support of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) as part of the Ukraine Economic Resilience Program (ERP). The program is implemented by the ERP consortium consisting of Mercy Corps, Right to Protection, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, and JERU (Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine of Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide). The ERP aims to support internally displaced persons and other war-affected populations to maintain stable livelihoods with reduced reliance on cash and in-kind support. The program supports small and medium-sized enterprises, subsistence farmers, small and medium farming enterprises, and vocational education training institutions, as well as Diia.Business. #HelvetasUkraine #Kharkiv #EconomicSustainability #SMEDevelopment