Publication date: 18.05.2024
Lawyer
USAID grants Program "Competitive Economy of Ukraine"
## Introduction
In the face of unprecedented challenges, Ukrainian business has demonstrated extraordinary resilience. To further support this sustainability and promote growth, the USAID Competitive Economy of Ukraine Program (USAID KEU Program - USAID grants) offers key grants aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups. If you are a Business Development Organization (BDO) seeking to ensure business continuity and growth, this program provides a significant opportunity to contribute to Ukraine's economic recovery and development.
## Grant opportunities for business development organizations
The USAID KEU program provides a total of $400,000 to projects that support business continuity and recovery for small and medium-sized businesses and startups. Individual grants range from $20,000 to $75,000, enabling BDO to implement impactful projects. Eligible organizations include government agencies such as chambers of commerce, business associations, economic policy think tanks, consulting firms, and business support organizations.
### Eligible projects for applications for USAID grants
Applications for USAID grants can cover a wide range of initiatives, including but not limited to:
- **Relocation and recovery**: support for the relocation of enterprises to safe regions and the recovery of their activities.
- **Damage Assessment**: recording and assessing war damage to help businesses recover.
- **Research and development**: conducting research for the formation of business strategies and policies.
- **Certification services**: assistance to enterprises in obtaining the necessary certificates.
- **Market expansion**: business assistance in scaling the Ukrainian market and entering international markets.
- **Professional development**: We offer programs of professional development and retraining of employees.
- **Business support structures**: creation and support of business accelerators, innovation centers, industrial partnerships, professional spaces and business communities.
- **Development of clusters**: promoting the development of business clusters to strengthen joint growth.
## Focus on sectors and targets
The USAID KEU program focuses on key sectors with high growth potential, including:
- Information technology (IT)
- Production of furniture
- Tourism
- Cinema and creative industries
- Food Industry
### Whole programs
1. **Competitiveness**: Increasing the competitiveness of Ukrainian enterprises and products both domestically and internationally.
2. **Business environment**: Creation of a favorable business environment to stimulate entrepreneurial growth.
3. **International trade**: Provide Ukrainian companies with the opportunity to benefit from international trade.
4. **Sustainable development**: encourages the practice of ecologically sustainable growth.
## Additional support: Annual Program Request APS-ERA-003
The USAID project "Economic Support of Ukraine" also announced the Annual Program Request APS-ERA-003, aimed at strengthening the logistics and export capacity of Ukraine, particularly in agriculture. This initiative is aimed at achieving two main goals:
1. **Development of exports and logistics**: Increasing the export and logistics potential of agriculture, with a special emphasis on grain trade.
2. **Improvement of export infrastructure**: improvement of export infrastructure, technologies and processes along the western borders of Ukraine.
### Partnership opportunities
The USAID project is looking for partners among:
- Logistics companies
- Manufacturers of logistics equipment
- Agencies of marketing analysis
- Organizers of business events
- Non-governmental organizations
- Consulting firms
- Providers of educational services
- Government agencies
- Scientific and educational institutions
### Expected results
The partnership is expected to achieve:
- In-depth knowledge of best international practices in grain trade and marketing.
- Increase in export sales to new markets (e.g. EU, North Africa).
- Co-financing of requested logistics equipment.
- Improving the qualifications and training of logistics personnel in the agricultural sector.
- Improving processes at checkpoints, increasing export potential.
- Strengthening cross-border cooperation between the customs authorities of Ukraine and the EU/Moldova.
## How to apply
To apply for a grant under the USAID KEU Program or the APS-ERA-003 initiative, complete the following steps:
1. **Prepare Your Proposal**: Develop a comprehensive project proposal describing your initiative, goals, and expected results.
2. **Apply through Diya**: applications must be submitted through the Diya platform.
3. **Verification and Approval**: Submitted applications will be verified by the relevant authorities before approval.
4. **Implementation**: Once approved, implement your project according to the agreed schedule and requirements.
## Conclusion
USAID program "Competitive economy of Ukraine provides a vital circle for Ukrainian business, contributing to stability and growth in difficult times. By participating in the grant program, business development organizations can play a key role in rebuilding and strengthening the economic landscape of Ukraine. Whether directly supporting SMEs, expanding logistics capabilities or promoting international trade, these grants offer a path to a more competitive and prosperous future for Ukrainian businesses.
