In Lviv, a new intake has been announced for the municipal grant programme “Courage for Business”, which gives veterans, combatants and their family members the opportunity to undergo training, receive mentoring support and compete for a grant of up to UAH 300,000 to start or develop their own business. Applications are being accepted until 19 September.
This year the programme has been expanded: it is open not only to male and female war veterans and combatants, including ATO participants, but also to their family members — a husband or wife, one of the parents or adult children. Participation is also open to family members of those killed, deceased or missing since 2014.
Among the requirements for participants are registration or being recorded as an internally displaced person, or registration as an individual entrepreneur (FOP) within the Lviv City Territorial Community. Only one person from a family may join the programme, and each person may take part only once.
The programme includes practical training, work on one’s own business idea, mentoring support and access to resources for business development. After completing the training stage, participants will be able to submit their projects to the grant competition and apply for funding of up to UAH 300,000.
For those who do not yet have their own business, a 10-day offline course is mandatory. Entrepreneurs who have been operating for at least 12 months may skip the training. Classes will be held at the Entrepreneurship Support Centre of the Lviv City Council (pl. Rynok, 1, office 103) from 10:00 to 17:00.
Grant funds may not be used for the production or sale of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, goods and services prohibited by law, or for supporting the defence industry.
The project is implemented by the Department of Economic Development of the Lviv City Council. The training component is organised by the LCP “Entrepreneurship Support Centre of the Lviv City Council” together with UNIDO, with the support of the Austrian government, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Environment of Ukraine.