Business Grants in 2026: Current Programmes

Over the past few years, Ukrainian entrepreneurs have gone through a unique school of survival. However, simply staying afloat is a strategy that sooner or later leads to decline. To move forward, you need to develop, rethink your processes and scale up. When entrepreneurs come to me for financial advice, the first thing I ask is whether they have considered attracting non-repayable business funding.

This is a practical financial tool. Grants help entrepreneurs open cafés, launch small-scale manufacturing businesses or enter international markets. Let's take a look at how the grant support system works today, where to find programmes, how to avoid common pitfalls and secure funding that does not have to be repaid.

Today, the grant market for entrepreneurs is clearly divided into two main areas: government programmes and initiatives from international funds. Each has its own requirements, so it is important to understand from the outset where you should focus your resources.

Government support remains one of the main tools for supporting small businesses this year. The key advantages of these programmes are their broad availability and a clear application process through Diia. If you are starting or expanding a local business, government grant programmes are one of the best places to start. Applications are submitted through the Diia portal, making the process more standardised.

International donors focus on projects that create a long-term economic impact.

I would highlight several key areas that international organisations are most willing to fund:

• Energy independence and green technologies. If your business invests in solar panels, cogeneration units, energy-efficient equipment or environmentally friendly raw materials, your chances of securing funding may increase significantly. Today, this is also a matter of infrastructure security and resilience.
• Women’s entrepreneurship. Support programmes for women-led businesses remain a priority for many funds. Such projects are often offered simplified co-financing conditions.
• Exports and innovative products. International markets are interested in Ukrainian products with high added value. If you are planning to sell products abroad, dozens of programmes from international consortia may be available to you.
• Defence technologies and dual-use solutions (Defence Tech). Developments in security, UAVs, communications systems and demining receive significant financial support from both the government and specialised venture funds.

You can apply for different programmes at the same time if they cover different expenses, for example, one for purchasing equipment and another for export certification. The key is to avoid double funding of the same expenses, as this is strictly prohibited by the programme rules.

When it comes to the most popular funding opportunity in Ukraine, one of the key programmes is the government’s eRobota initiative. Through this programme, you can receive a grant to start your own business or develop and expand an existing one. If you are planning to apply for a business grant, carefully reviewing the eligibility requirements should be your first step.

Key programme requirements in 2026:

Funding amount. The grant amount depends on the scale of the project:

• up to UAH 100,000 — without creating new jobs;
• up to UAH 200,000 — provided that one new job is created;
• up to UAH 350,000 — for creating two or more jobs.

A separate programme is available for veterans and their family members, offering grants of up to UAH 1 million on a co-financing basis.

Eligible expenses. The funds may only be spent on the purposes specified by the programme, including equipment, furniture, software, raw materials, marketing, premises rental, franchises or leasing.

Applicant requirements. Both existing entrepreneurs and people planning to start a business can apply. The key is to meet the programme requirements, have no outstanding tax debts and comply with other legal requirements.

I always emphasise a simple piece of financial logic: a business grant is not charity — it is an investment by the government. Provided that you comply with the terms of the agreement and programme, the funds received do not have to be repaid. This is how the government supports small-business development while giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to start or scale their own business.

The biggest mistake I see in my consulting practice is treating planning too casually. Many people believe that financial calculations are needed only to satisfy the assessment committee. However, when you apply for a business grant, the business plan becomes a roadmap that protects your capital from cash-flow gaps.

You need to combine your business idea with sound financial logic. The text should be simple, while the figures should be supported by market research.

Here are the four areas experts focus on first:

1. A clear business model. Avoid generic statements such as “our product has no competitors on the market”. Describe the actual situation: “We are opening a ‘to go’ café in a residential district of City X, where 8,000 people live within a 500-metre radius and the only competitor does not offer freshly baked goods.”
2. Financial calculations. You need to clearly outline your product cost, fixed expenses, such as rent, software and taxes, and variable costs, such as raw materials and logistics. Show a realistic break-even point. Experts will quickly notice if you artificially inflate your margins or “forget” about payroll taxes.
3. Justification of expenses. Every hryvnia of the grant should contribute to the result. If you are purchasing expensive equipment, explain exactly how it will increase productivity, reduce costs or allow you to hire additional employees.
4. Risk analysis. Completely risk-free projects do not exist. Show what you will do if raw material costs increase or there are power outages — for example, mention a generator or agreements with backup suppliers. Having a Plan B will always make a positive impression on evaluators.

I strongly recommend not buying ready-made templates online or paying third parties who do not understand the specifics of your business to write the application for you. Write it yourself — only then will you know every figure inside out. During the interview, this will become your greatest advantage.

When you need capital, you have a choice: apply for non-repayable funding or take out a bank loan. There is no universal answer, but I suggest comparing these instruments based on the key criteria that directly affect small-business development.

I believe business grants are ideal for starting out, when risks are at their highest, as well as for projects with a long payback period, such as environmental, social or innovative initiatives. Non-repayable funding reduces the burden of mandatory monthly payments during the launch phase, when stable profits may not yet be available.

A loan is a tool for rapidly scaling a proven business model. If you know that purchasing an additional batch of products will generate a profit as early as next month, a loan may be a better option. You will not have to wait months for a grant committee's decision or restrict yourself to strict rules on how the funds can be used.

Often, the best approach to supporting entrepreneurship is a combination of both. For example, you could use a grant to purchase equipment while covering operating expenses or cash-flow gaps with a bank loan.

A grant does not always cover all of a business's needs. Entrepreneurs often combine grant funding with their own funds or a bank loan. This approach can help implement a project faster and ensure uninterrupted financing.

Competition for non-repayable funding is increasing. To make your application stand out among hundreds of others, you need to approach the process systematically.

Based on my experience communicating with grant providers, I have developed several simple rules:

• Check your financial hygiene. Before applying, make sure you have no outstanding tax debts, open enforcement proceedings or reporting delays. Any of these may negatively affect the assessment of your application at the initial screening stage.
• Use simple language. Evaluators read dozens of projects every day. Complicated bureaucratic language, abstract arguments and phrases copied from the internet will only work against you. Explain your business as if you were telling a friend about it.
• Add a social component. For many funds, it is important that your business benefits the community. Employing veterans or internally displaced people, ensuring accessible premises, using environmentally friendly materials or supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces can all become additional advantages during project evaluation.
• Read the donor's priorities carefully. Do not submit an entertainment-centre project to a fund that exclusively finances agricultural businesses. Look for programmes that clearly match your niche and business scale.
• Be realistic during the interview. If your application passes the first stage, you may have to present your project or attend an interview. Your task is to demonstrate confidence and a strong understanding of the project's financial side. You should be able to clearly explain the logic behind your calculations without looking at notes.

The path to securing non-repayable funding requires time and persistence. However, once you successfully win your first grant, you will understand that the effort was worth the result. It is not just money for development — it is also powerful confirmation that your idea is viable.