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Ukrainian Winemakers and Mead Makers Now Eligible for State Grants Under “Vlasna Sprava” Program

by Roman Cheplyk
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
2 MIN
Ukrainian Winemakers and Mead Makers Now Eligible for State Grants Under “Vlasna Sprava” Program

In a significant update to Ukraine’s state grant program “Vlasna Sprava”, winemakers and mead producers are now eligible for financial support

Entrepreneurs involved in producing or trading still wines (grape, fruit, and berry) and honey-based drinks can apply for grants to boost their businesses. This expansion aims to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including veterans and other priority groups, as announced by the Ministry of Economy.


Key Updates to the “Vlasna Sprava” Program in 2025

  1. New Categories of Grant Recipients

    • Entrepreneurs in the production or trade of still wines and honey drinks can now apply for grants.
  2. Additional Banking Options

    • Participants can choose between PrivatBank and Oschadbank to open grant accounts, increasing accessibility.
  3. Improved Terms for Veterans and Their Families

    • Flexible Implementation Period: Veterans and their spouses can extend the project implementation period from 3 to 7 years, allowing more time to fulfill obligations by paying taxes and fees.
    • Eligibility for Additional Grants: Veterans who successfully complete their first project and meet tax obligations can apply for another grant, but this option is available only once.

Grant Details and Eligibility

Microgrants (UAH 50,000–250,000)

  • Open to active entrepreneurs and individuals without prior business experience.
  • For grants exceeding UAH 75,000, recipients must create 1–2 jobs, depending on the grant amount.
  • Individuals under 25 years old can receive up to UAH 150,000 without the obligation to create jobs, provided they register as individual entrepreneurs.

Grants for Veterans and Families of Fallen Defenders (UAH 250,000–1 million)

  • Requires creating 1–4 jobs, depending on the grant amount.
  • Grants of UAH 500,000–1 million require veterans to have been registered as entrepreneurs for at least 12 months.
  • Co-financing is required for larger grants, with the recipient contributing 30% of the project cost, while 70% is provided by the state.

Eligible Expenditures

Grant recipients can use funds for:

  • Purchasing or leasing equipment.
  • Procuring raw materials and supplies.
  • Renting business premises.

Application Process

  1. Applications must be submitted through the Diya portal.
  2. A detailed business plan must accompany the application.

Impact of the “Vlasna Sprava” Program

Since its inception two and a half years ago, the program has supported over 23,000 entrepreneurs, investing UAH 5.5 billion into Ukrainian businesses. This initiative has created over 40,000 new jobs, spurred economic growth, and provided a much-needed boost to SMEs.

“This program demonstrates how strategic investments in small and medium-sized businesses can drive economic growth and create opportunities for Ukrainians to thrive,” said Tetyana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

By extending eligibility to winemakers and mead producers, the government underscores its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship across diverse industries.

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