Ukraine’s agriculture has faced serious challenges due to the war, but at the same time, it has become a field of new opportunities — especially for women. Today, they are actively involved in agri-production, particularly in regions affected by hostilities. Thanks to international and Ukrainian initiatives, women can receive real financial, educational, and mentoring support to start or grow their own agribusinesses.
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Who is eligible for the grant?
The program targets:
- Local women and internally displaced persons living in safe areas of regions like Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Chernihiv;
- Women leading or planning to lead an agricultural enterprise (sole proprietorship, farm, LLC, PE), or who own a plot of land up to 150 hectares;
- Priority is given to vulnerable categories, including those who have lost support due to the death or mobilization of relatives.
What is the program’s goal?
The main goal is to increase the economic resilience and productivity of women farmers. The program also aims to restore local communities affected by hostilities and to stimulate agricultural production as a key sector for regional development.
The program combines:
- Training;
- Mentoring;
- Funding;
- Access to industry expertise.
What’s included: training and support?
Program participants gain access to a comprehensive educational platform covering two main areas: entrepreneurial skills development and specialized agricultural education. The program includes a 7-week online course with recorded sessions for flexible learning.
The entrepreneurial block covers key business aspects — from creating a business plan, accounting, and registration to marketing, branding, and funding sources. This empowers women to not only start a business but also ensure its long-term sustainability.
The specialized agricultural block includes training in one of the following areas: vegetable growing, berry cultivation, horticulture, beekeeping, poultry, cattle, pig farming, rabbit farming, sheep or goat breeding — depending on participants’ interests and experience. Additionally, the program offers individual mentoring, field trips, and advisory support at all stages — from idea to implementation.
How to get a grant: participation conditions?
To participate, women must meet several key criteria. First, the applicant should be a resident or internally displaced person currently living in one of 11 designated Ukrainian regions — Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, or Chernihiv — in a non-dangerous area.
Participants must already have or plan to establish an agricultural business. This can be a private enterprise (sole proprietorship, farm, LLC, PE) or a plan to start operations on land up to 150 hectares.
Priority is given to women from vulnerable groups, especially those who assumed the head-of-household role due to war. Basic resources such as land, buildings, or premises are also required.
To apply for funding, you must:
- Register for the program through the official website or organizer’s platform;
- Complete the training (7 weeks online with video access);
- Develop a realistic business idea in one of the supported sectors (e.g. berry farming, vegetables, beekeeping);
- Present the project during the competitive selection.
After training, participants may apply for a grant of $3,000 to $7,000 (in UAH equivalent) to start or scale their agribusiness.
Which businesses is the program suitable for?
The program supports micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This opens participation to both newcomers and those looking to expand. It supports women in rural communities through business incubators, webinars, and access to international markets via cooperatives, including potential access to trade fairs and advisory centers.
Conclusion
Ukrainian women now have a unique opportunity not only to join agri-production but to lead its transformation. Through grant programs with training, mentoring, and funding, every proactive woman — regardless of experience — can implement her business idea and contribute to rebuilding Ukraine’s agricultural sector.
