Receiving a grant for Own business – 2026

After the start of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, grant support turned into a strategic tool for the survival and development of Ukrainian business. 

In conditions of limited access to lending and investment, grants have become almost the only available resource for starting and scaling your own business. 

The main focus of the government‘s “Grant for Your Own Business” program is aimed at overcoming unemployment, which has increased as a result of forced migration of the population. 

The funds received from the grant are returned to the budget through tax deductions from the successful operation of the business and for each new employee. 

Who is the “Own Business” grant program for? 

This program was created for those citizens who have long dreamed of creating a small but own business from a small service station, dry cleaners, coffee shops, grocery stores, bakeries, hairdressers, etc. 

At the same time, you will not need to return funds to the state for receiving a grant if you have created at least one job. 

What are the criteria for applying for a grant? 

The terms of the program establish that future entrepreneurs, or existing sole proprietorships or legal entities that meet the following criteria, can apply for a grant: 

• the actual location of the enterprise and the implementation of economic activities does not take place in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine; 
• the company does not conduct its economic activities in the territory of the Russian Federation; 
• the absence of any sanctions; 
• no bankruptcy case has been brought against the business; 
• there are no debts to the budget of Ukraine; 
• the absence of a court decision on criminal prosecution (in particular, for corruption crimes). 

How much money can I get? 

The amount of grant assistance depends on the region of business, type of activity and the number of jobs created.   

Below we will consider a detailed distribution of limits and conditions for receiving funds: 

• for most territories and types of business — up to UAH 200,000 (when creating 1 job), up to UAH 300,000 (when creating at least 2 jobs); 
• for a new business (before registration of a sole proprietorship or legal entity) — up to UAH 100,000 (without job creation); 
• for new businesses of young people under 25 years old — up to UAH 200,000 (without job creation); 
• for entrepreneurs working in frontline regions or zones recovering after de-occupation (Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson and Chernihiv regions) — up to UAH 300,000 (when creating 1 job), up to UAH 500,000 (when creating at least 2 jobs); 
• for businesses in the field of preschool education and creative industries — up to UAH 1,000,000 (subject to the creation of at least 4 jobs and co-financing of 30% of the project cost, respectively). 

What can grant funds be spent on under the program? 

The program provides that grant funds have a specific purpose, namely, the purchase of various kinds of equipment for business, raw materials or materials, rental costs (for premises and individual equipment), marketing and advertising. 

What are the responsibilities in case of receiving grant funds? 

As partially noted earlier, the main requirements for the candidate after receiving grant funds will be: 

1. creation of at least one workplace (or two, depending on the chosen direction of the program); 
2. conduct business activities for at least 3 years (if the business is closed earlier, then the candidate will be obliged to return the grant amount minus taxes already paid); 
3. timely payment of taxes to the budget for the future employment of the company’s employees.  

How do I apply for a grant? 

You can implement the application online. 

For online submission you need: 

• Register in Diya and create your own account. If you have already been registered there before, then you need to log in; 
• Fill out an online application in accordance with the requirements specified on the gov.ua portal; 
• Attach the created business plan to the application; 
• Sign the application with an electronic signature and send it for consideration. 

Advice! If you have not figured out how to apply for a grant, then Prikhodko & Partners lawyers can advise you on this issue. 

Who decides on the grant? 

The State Employment Center makes the final decision on the issuance of grant funds, while carrying out: 

1. a thorough check of the business reputation of the recipient of grant funds, which is carried out by an authorized bank; 
2. study and evaluation of the business plan; 
3. conducting an interview with the future recipient of grant funds. 

How long does it take to process a grant application? 

The State Employment Center considers the application within 10 working days after the deadline for submission. 

If you want to receive a grant for “Own Business” from the state, then in this case you cannot get away with professional legal assistance — the law firm “Prikhodko and Partners”. 

Our team understands the nuances of applying for a grant, as well as drawing up a successful business plan, as we have many years of experience working with grants. Therefore, do not hesitate and contact us for advice!