A selection of grants for Ukrainian organisations and SMEs

Today's world demands that businesses and organisations constantly develop and adapt to change. This is especially true for Ukraine, where the war and other external factors create new challenges. Grants can become a key tool for supporting and developing a range of fields, from media to innovative technologies. In this article we offer an overview of current grant opportunities that could be an important step for your organisation or business.

1. A grant of up to €10,000 to buy technical equipment for Ukrainian media

The Fix Foundation, in cooperation with ECPMF, has announced the start of the second stage of support for Ukrainian media and journalists under the "Voices of Ukraine" programme. The project aims to provide material support for purchasing technical equipment for Ukrainian media that continue to operate in Ukraine, in order to ensure the uninterrupted work of journalists in life-threatening conditions. Support per journalist is approximately €1,600 (though exceptions are possible when expensive but essential equipment is shared among several employees who will use it jointly). The total grant for a single media organisation will not exceed €10,000.

Who it is for:

Online and print publications.

Radio stations.

Television channels.

Media organisations and media start-ups.

DEADLINE, 30 July 2024

Learn more at: https://grant.market/opp/voices-of-ukraine

2. A grant of up to €50,000 for SMEs to prepare investment projects

Under the STAGE programme, the EU provides a grant of up to €25,000 to SMEs for the transition to economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Eligible activities include preparing an investment project, a feasibility study, a technology audit, Due Diligence analysis, a carbon footprint assessment, adaptation of business processes, and other consulting services.

Who it is for:

SMEs registered in EU member states and countries associated with Horizon Europe (including Ukraine).

Those that have completed an initial assessment and developed a sustainable development transition plan.

Those intending to work with a sustainability adviser registered on the STAGE platform.

DEADLINE, 30 September 2024

Learn more at: https://grant.market/opp/stage

3. A €125,000 grant for SMEs to develop innovative AI solutions

Wasabi has announced a competition for a grant of €125,000 for SMEs that cooperate with Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) or European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH). The grant is intended to finance a project aimed at developing and deploying artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to improve processes or products. The competition aims to expand the existing portfolio of AI-based solutions, particularly digital assistant capabilities. Applicants will develop a Wasabi module that will be integrated into the Wasabi digital assistant. This solution should open up new areas of application within the Wasabi network.

Who it is for:

SMEs cooperating with a DIH or EDIH.

SMEs with up to 250 employees, annual turnover not exceeding €50 million, and/or an annual balance sheet not exceeding €43 million.

DEADLINE, 20 September 2024

Learn more at: https://grant.market/opp/wasabi

4. A small grants competition for mental health projects

The competition aims to develop community-level mental health services, such as: prevention of mental disorders, care for people with mental disorders, rehabilitation of people with mental disorders, and others.

Who it is for: NGOs, charitable organisations, and communities.

Geography: the city of Chernivtsi and communities of the Chernivtsi region.

Project selection criteria:

• the project concerns improving mental health services in the community;

• it will operate within the Chernivtsi region;

• it is based on the principles of respect for human rights;

• it is aimed at developing cross-sectoral cooperation in communities and improving mental health services through collaboration with local self-government and state authorities;

• it has an implementation strategy and action plan;

• it can continue to function without further support;

• it will confirm that grant funds are used in compliance with the legal requirements for financial and economic operations and the reporting rules agreed with the grantor.

Grant amount: 5,000 Swiss francs

*approximately UAH 225,000

DEADLINE, 10.08.2024

Learn more and apply via the link on the website.

5. A grant for SMEs in the aerospace and defence sectors from METASTARS

The project aims to develop and strengthen the ecosystem of the European aerospace and defence (ASD) industry, and to support and increase the resilience of SMEs to potential challenges, particularly in the context of international business opportunities.

Who it is for:

• SMEs in the aviation, space, and defence industry;

• specialised start-ups and manufacturing companies in these fields;

• research institutes.

Geography: Ukraine, EU countries, and countries associated with the COSME programme.

When applying, SMEs must demonstrate:

• an assessment of the challenges the company faces, taking into account current risks and opportunities in the ASD sector;

• planned and/or implemented measures to overcome these challenges.

Funding for innovative projects and services will be provided in the following areas:

• adaptation to the green and digital transition;

• internationalisation and entering new markets;

• upskilling and reskilling of the workforce;

• cybersecurity;

• adaptation to supply chain disruptions.

Grant amount: €2,500 each for three winners.

DEADLINE, 23.08.2024 by 23:59 Central European Time

Learn more via the link on the website.

6. Financial assistance for small and medium-sized businesses affected by the war

Who it is for: SMEs affected by the war that need funds to restore, reorient, or expand their business activity.

Geography: the city of Kyiv, and the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, for local or relocated businesses.

Programme participation conditions:

• official registration and the absence of legal obstacles to business activity in accordance with Ukrainian law;

• creation or preservation of at least three jobs for IDPs or affected people;

• a contribution of up to 50% of the financial assistance amount from the applicant's own funds.

Funding is provided for the purchase of production fixed assets that will enable the business to restore and/or expand its activity, with a focus on creating or preserving jobs for IDPs and people affected by the war.

Grant amount: up to USD 20,000.

DEADLINE, applications are being accepted and processed on a rolling basis, which takes up to 6 weeks from the date of submission.

Learn more via the link on the website.

7. Ukrainian Business Leaders: Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship 2025 Spring

The "Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship" programme aims to equip Ukraine's entrepreneurs, innovators, and businesspeople with the skills to develop innovative economic, political, and business solutions.

Who it is for: citizens and permanent residents of Ukraine aged 21 to 40 who are fluent in English and have relevant experience and aspirations for a career in business, social entrepreneurship, innovation, social media, or regional economic development.

The programme includes:

• orientation and mentoring components;

• interactive and personalised projects;

• an internship in the United States for business leaders to gain practical experience and exchange knowledge with American colleagues;

• access to modern business tools, concepts, and principles that will strengthen leadership and technical capabilities and help build lasting professional relationships between Americans and Ukrainians.

The programme covers the costs of:

• stay and accommodation during the internship in the United States;

• international travel and visa;

• other mandatory expenses.

Timing: spring 2025.

Grant: a 4-week internship in the United States and a concluding 3-day event in Washington, D.C.

DEADLINE, 01.09.24

Learn more and apply via the link on the website.

In a world where change is becoming the new normal, access to financial resources through grant programmes is critically important for stability and development. The programmes described in this article offer unique opportunities for Ukrainian media, SMEs, NGOs, and others. They help not only to preserve jobs but also to develop new projects and initiatives. Explore the opportunities, submit your applications, and use these chances to strengthen your position in difficult times.