(KYIV, UKRAINE) – A new pilot project to help young people from frontline regions start their own businesses will open for applications in Ukraine from 27 July 2026.
The programme, called “This Is My Business,” was announced by the Ministry of Economy and Environment. It offers mentorship support and an entrepreneurship course for people aged 18 to 25 who live in areas close to the front line. The project aims to provide a direct path from a business idea through to a state grant application and the launch of a new company.
Deputy Minister of Economy and Environment Daria Marchak said the country’s employment strategy to 2030 includes the development of youth business, mentorship, grant programmes and practical support for people who want to be economically active. She described the project as a route that takes participants from an idea and training through to a business plan, mentor guidance and the chance to apply for a state grant.
Training will begin in October and will run in two formats. The “Listener” course is open to participants up to 35 years old from across the whole of Ukraine. It covers the basics of business, provides access to a community of like minded people and offers information on funding opportunities. Registration for this format stays open until 18 October.
A more advanced format called “Student” is designed for people aged 18 to 25 from the Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odesa regions. Participants on this track will work on their own business ideas and prepare for a company launch or for raising finance. Applications for the Student format must be submitted by 23 August 2026.
Beyond the taught modules, the project includes mentoring sessions with experienced business owners and mental health specialists, help with drafting grant applications, membership of a business community, and a final pitching event in Kyiv for the 20 strongest projects.
The “This Is My Business” pilot was launched after the government approved a procedure in April 2026 for providing mentor support to young business owners aged 18 to 25. Plans are in place to expand the model across the country once the pilot has been assessed.
The project is being run by the Ministry of Economy, the State Employment Service and the Projector Foundation. It is backed by the Partnership for a Strong Ukraine programme, which is funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden.
Ukraine’s economy will need around 2.62 million new workers over the next ten years. The strongest demand is expected for skilled tradespeople, technical specialists and engineers.