Category: News

On March 7, 2024, a competitive selection of experts (three main and reserve) to the Expert Council of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation for the competitive selection of projects “VARTO Start Your Own Business” will begin.

How to apply and when is the deadline

We invite experienced professionals who are familiar with the specifics of building and expanding a business in Ukraine, understand the problems and needs of business today.

The deadline for submitting documents is March 18, 2024 (by 12:00 PM Kyiv time).

To apply, please follow this link (to do so, register, log in, select “Programs” on the left in the “Programs” panel – “Start Your Own Business” and select “Apply for an Expert”).

Applicants will be notified of the selection results by e-mail.

What are the responsibilities of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation experts and requirements for candidates?

Responsibilities of the experts of the Expert Council of the Foundation:

• Conducting an expert evaluation of application packages in accordance with the Expert Evaluation Methodology (evaluation criteria – Annex 1);
• Participation in the public presentation (defense) of projects by applicants;
• Formation of a rating list of the winners of the competitive selection.

Requirements for a candidate for the Foundation’s experts:

• Higher education not lower than the second (master’s) level;
• Experience in effective project management, including at least 1 year of project budgeting experience;
• Business experience and/or understanding of business processes;
• Knowledge of business Ukrainian;
• Impeccable business reputation.

Candidates for the Expert Councils are selected in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations on the Expert Councils of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation and the Regulations on the Commission for the Selection of Experts to the Expert Councils.

Please note: the Foundation’s experts do not have the right to simultaneously be applicants for the competitive selection or participate in the implementation of projects submitted to the Foundation (for this or any other competitive selection of projects).

How to apply for the competition: key tips

To submit documents for the competition, you need:

• to familiarize yourself with the Regulations on the Expert Councils of the budgetary institution “Ukrainian Veterans Foundation” (in particular, clause 16) and the Methodology of expert evaluation;
• application (in accordance with Annex 1 to the Regulation on Expert Councils);
• motivation letter (in any form);
• a copy of an identity document;
• a copy of the individual tax number;
• consent to the collection and processing of personal data (in accordance with Annex 2 to the Regulation on the Expert Councils);
• a detailed professional resume in the state language with annexes confirming the profile activity;
• copies of the candidate’s documents confirming higher education not lower than the second (master’s) level.

All copies of the documents shall be submitted in Ukrainian and/or in the original language with a translation into Ukrainian and EXCLUSIVELY in PDF format. Documents in any other format will NOT be considered. If you need to upload more than one document in one field (for example, passport pages), it is advisable to combine them into one file.

• Prepare and sign the documents (mandatory signature is required in the Application and Consent of the candidate to the processing of personal data). This can be done using an electronic signature.
• Fill in the information and submit the documents for the competition for the selection of experts in this questionnaire by the specified deadline.

If you have any questions, please contact a.ivaniuk@veteranfund.mva.gov.ua.

On March 6, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs starts selecting applications for the veteran business financing program “VARTO Start Your Own Business”.

Under the terms of the competition, veterans can receive from UAH 500 thousand to UAH 1.5 million to start or develop their own business.

Applications for project funding can be submitted by:

• veterans, family members of fallen (deceased) war veterans and family members of fallen (deceased) defenders of Ukraine who are registered as individual entrepreneurs;
• spouses of veterans who are registered as individual entrepreneurs, if the projects are aimed at reintegrating veterans into active social life, ensuring the preservation and restoration of their physical and mental health;
• legal entities registered no later than one year prior to receiving financial support, whose founders are veterans, family members of fallen (deceased) war veterans, and family members of fallen (deceased) defenders of Ukraine.

Applications will be accepted from March 6 to 18, 2024.

More information about the terms and step-by-step instructions is available on the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation website.

Over the past two years, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation has supported 573 veteran-owned businesses. More than UAH 293 million has been allocated to the winners of the VARTO competition programs from the Foundation.

For questions and clarifications regarding the application package, please send an email to uvfprojects@veteranfund.mva.gov.ua. Be sure to indicate the subject line “VARTO Start Your Own Business” and the application number.

A team of 30 Ukrainian veterans and servicemen and women has left for the United States Air Force and Marine Corps Trials 2024, an Air Force sports competition to be held in Las Vegas, USA.

The United States Air Force and Marine Corps Trials in Ukraine is organized by the Ministry of Veterans jointly with the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, the NGO “Come Back Alive!”, the charity organization “Stratcom Ukraine” and the NGO “Games Invictus Ukraine”.

The role of sport in veteran diplomacy

“The trials of war, injuries, and the difficult path of rehabilitation require extraordinary strength of mind and will. “Veteran sport is the language of invincibility!” is not just a saying, it is our reality. Through sport, we show that despite all obstacles, we are able to reach great heights, demonstrating our invincibility and leadership to the world,” said Oleksandr Porkhun, Acting Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine.

Moreover, Oleksandr Porkhun noted that the participation of Ukrainian veterans in international competitions such as the Air Force and Marine Corps Trials is important not only as a sporting event, but also as a powerful tool of veteran diplomacy and an indicator of national resilience.

“I bow to you for what you have already done, for what you continue to do. Your struggle continues. And today you have a new mission: in addition to reminding the world of our invincibility and our strength by your example, when you return home, you will return your fellow soldiers to normal life by your own example. And this is the most noble mission — to help those around you,” said Matvii Bidnyi, Acting Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, addressing the team members.

The Ukrainian team will participate in the games for American veterans for the first time. The organizers of the U.S. Air Force Games invited the Ukrainian team to join the qualifying competitions and demonstrate the impact of adaptive sports on the recovery of veterans and military personnel after injuries.

Strength of mind and rehabilitation through sports

“The reintegration of veterans and servicemen after injuries through physical activity is crucial. It not only helps to restore physical strength, but is also a powerful tool for psychological rehabilitation. Sports and exercise help to overcome post-traumatic stress disorder, improve mood and promote socialization. The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation recognizes this need and actively supports relevant initiatives. We have already funded 8 projects aimed at engaging veterans in physical activity through competitive programs. This year, we plan to hold 5 competitions, two of which will be aimed at supporting public associations. We are convinced that providing active financial support to initiatives aimed at helping veterans and their families return to active life in society and helping to restore their physical and mental health will be the foundation for building a strong and healthy community,” says Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, Acting Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

Veteran sport as a tool of resilience

For the participants of the competition, it is not only physical activity, but also a demonstration of achievements and struggle, both at the front and in sports, as well as an opportunity to thank partners for their ongoing support.

Timur Leon, a member of the national team, emphasized: “These international competitions are an opportunity to show how unbreakable the Ukrainian nation is. When I decided to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine, my life changed forever. Choosing the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade was not just a military duty, but a place where my skills and knowledge could be applied. Commanding the unit has become my new reality, where every day is a challenge and an opportunity to become stronger.”

The main goal of the United States Air Force and Marine Corps Trials 2024 is to engage veterans and the military in sports and promote rehabilitation through sports among veterans.

In December, Kyiv hosted the All-Ukrainian Adaptive Sports Competition, after which the selection committee formed a team of 30 participants — veterans and active military. The participants competed in a variety of disciplines, including cycling, indoor rowing, athletics, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, powerlifting, swimming, and archery.

Prospects for Ukrainian veterans on the international stage

“Each member of our team is an embodiment of honor and respect. Your courage, your unbreakable spirit, your thirst for victory is a source of inspiration for us all. Every day you demonstrate that there are no limits to achieving goals when you have faith in yourself and strength of spirit,” said Olena Yanovska, head coach of the National Team of Ukraine.

On Sunday, March 3, the organizers of the competition in Ukraine, journalists, family and friends of the participants gathered at the platform of the Ukrainian Railways in Kyiv to welcome the national team. The participants will feel support from everyone throughout the competition.

From March 4 to 16, 2024, representatives of Ukraine will take part in the United States Air Force and Marine Corps Trials 2024 in the United States. They will compete in nine adaptive sports: archery, athletics, cycling, powerlifting, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby.

The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs actively works to provide veterans, their families and widows of fallen servicemen with the necessary resources for successful reintegration into civilian life. The Foundation provides a wide range of services and assistance to veterans, including funding for entrepreneurial initiatives through the VARTO competition, crisis psychological support through a hotline, free legal counseling, educational courses for adaptation to civilian life, and analytical research to identify the needs of the veteran community. These initiatives are aimed at supporting veterans in starting a veteran business, dealing with anxiety, securing benefits for the families of the fallen, and integrating into agricultural and defense industry activities.

Here are the opportunities for female and male veterans and their families offered by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

Veteran business

The Foundation regularly holds competitions to finance veteran businesses and their family members under the VARTO program. Projects are selected and evaluated by independent experts. Veteran businesses can receive financial support from the Foundation from UAH 500 thousand to UAH 3 million. For more information on competitions and the selection procedure for veteran business projects and projects of public associations, please visit our website Competitions – (veteranfund.com.ua)

In addition, information about veteran businesses and other opportunities for veterans is available on Diia.Business, a unique navigator that simplifies access to support programs, grants, and opportunities. The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation together with the website team have collected a lot of useful information to support veteran businesses: Veteran business (diia.gov.ua)

Crisis support hotline

The Crisis Support Hotline of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation is the first line of assistance and psychological support for veterans, their families and all Ukrainians in difficult situations. Qualified psychologists are in touch around the clock to provide support. Veterans, active military personnel, their families, and anyone who suffers from the war in difficult situations can call the number:

0 800 33 20 29

The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation’s crisis hotline was launched on June 27, 2022. This project was made possible by the Ukraine Rapid Response Fund program, implemented by IREX in Ukraine with the support of the U.S. Department of State.

The psychological support hotline is part of the All-Ukrainian mental health program initiated by Olena Zelenska “Are You OK?

Legal advice

Veterans, active military personnel and their families can receive free assistance in matters related to obtaining veteran status, applying for a combat service, social guarantees and benefits, and protecting their rights and interests. To get an individual written consultation, please fill out the form: https://cutt.ly/cwIRc1ZM.

Educational opportunities

Together with UCU-online, we have prepared a course “Returning from War: Mind, Body, Society”. This course is an opportunity for Ukrainian veterans and their families to get information on how to adapt to civilian life. The course covers topics such as psychological adaptation, rehabilitation and social integration, including how to start a veteran business.

Analytical research

We systematically conduct sociological research to better understand the needs of veterans, including in the areas of veteran business, psychological support, educational opportunities and employment, and to identify the challenges they face. This allows us to determine the areas of our further work at the national level. The results of our research are available here: Analytics (veteranfund.com.ua)

All our projects can be found here: Current projects (veteranfund.com.ua)

The key Veteran Business Forum ” Veteran Entrepreneurship Support: From National to Regional Perspective” was held on February 28.

The event was organized by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs together with veteran business communities and the public. The goal of the forum is to improve the legislative framework and create incentives for the development of veteran entrepreneurship.

“The veteran community and veteran organizations have excellent expertise, vast experience and know exactly what they are doing. And the government can scale up the existing veteran initiatives. We hear you as a veteran community, we see sociological surveys, we understand what veterans say,” emphasized Iryna Vereshchuk, Vice Prime Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine.

Veteran business support

Oleksandr Porkhun, acting Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, announced that UAH 200 million has been allocated in the Foundation’s budget this year for the development of veteran entrepreneurship. Five programs have been developed to provide veterans with half a million to 1.5 million UAH for development.

“Veteran businesses are a very powerful tool for supporting the economy, because even during the full-scale invasion, while everyone was trying to optimize processes, they were developing. Some of them have been re-located three times. But these people are trained to survive in difficult conditions. This will be of strategic importance for the future of veterans and the Ukrainian economy,” emphasized Oleksandr Porkhun.

In two years, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation has supported 573 veteran-owned businesses.

Over the past two years, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation has supported 573 veteran-owned businesses. The winners of the Foundation’s VARTO competition programs received more than UAH 293 million. Another 6 million hryvnias were reimbursed for the costs of running their own business up to 20 thousand UAH.

“Today we have heard from our guests — participants of the Foundation’s programs — their stories of success and challenges they have faced. And also about the innovative approaches they used to develop their businesses. Their stories demonstrate how state support provided on a competitive basis becomes a catalyst for the development of veteran entrepreneurship,” said Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, Acting Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, “We are proud to support such projects and initiatives. The successes of veterans demonstrate the effectiveness of our joint work and the importance of continuing and expanding veteran business support programs.”

Survey of veterans on employment

Karina Doroshenko, Deputy Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, presented the results of a survey on veterans’ employment. The survey showed that employers declare that they are hiring veterans, but the situation is different in reality, so it is important to support those veterans who want to start their own business.

“At the forum, we identified the unique value of our product or service, how to adapt to changes in the market and use innovations to ensure business growth and development. We focused on building a strong team and a culture that promotes innovation and efficiency,” said Taras Leliukh, a veteran, active military officer, and entrepreneur.

The forum brought together more than a hundred representatives of veteran businesses from the regions: associations, agricultural holdings, export businesses, and the defense industry.

“Veteran businesses should have easy access to financial and technological capital. In terms of financial capital, this may include conditions under which opportunities and state guarantees can be obtained. After Ukraine’s victory, veterans will become a lifeline — a powerful force for economic development,” said Oleksandr Holopoteluk, veteran and entrepreneur.

The Forum was co-organized by the NGO “Pravosvidomi“, NGO IHUB, NGO “Rehabilitation Forces of Ukraine” and the Ukraine 2.0 initiative.

The conference will be held with the support of the program “Support to Civil Society Organizations in Ukraine”, funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and implemented by Crown Agents in partnership with International Alert and in cooperation with Crown Agents in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine informs that on March 1, 2024, at 9:00 AM, a meeting will be held to discuss certain provisions of the draft Law of Ukraine “On the Basic Principles of Veterans Policy in Ukraine”. Representatives of ministries, other central executive authorities and the public will take part in the discussion.

🔹 We invite war veterans, family members of fallen (deceased) war veterans, Defenders of Ukraine and representatives of civil society to join the discussion. The number of places for online participation is limited, so please fill out the form here:

▪️ for registration of war veterans, family members of fallen (deceased) war veterans, and Defenders of Ukraine;

▪️ to register civil society organizations.

🔹 Registration is open until 12:00, February 29, 2024.

🔹 An invitation (Zoom link) for online participation and the meeting agenda will be sent to the email address specified in the registration form.

The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation invites you to the Veterans Business Forum.

On Wednesday, February 28, the key Veteran Business Forum ” Veteran Entrepreneurship Support: From National to Regional Perspective” will be held.

The event will bring together veterans, government officials, experts and entrepreneurs to discuss and develop strategies to support veteran entrepreneurship at all levels. The event aims to highlight and discuss key strategies and policies aimed at supporting veterans in their entrepreneurial activities.

Speakers at the forum include Iryna Vereshchuk, Vice Prime Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine; Oleksandr Porkhun, Acting Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine; Yuriy Dzhyhira, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine; representatives of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine; Taras Tarasenko, Member of Parliament of Ukraine, as well as representatives of veteran business associations, veteran entrepreneurs, the public, etc.

The program of the event includes:

The forum program will begin with a session on the government’s strategy for veteran-owned businesses, where key policies and initiatives will be reviewed. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and express their opinions during an open discussion.

Presentations by veterans who will share their success stories, challenges and obstacles on the way to starting their own business.

The role of regions and communities in supporting veteran entrepreneurship.

Details of the event:

• Date: February 28
• Time: 10:00 to 17:00
• Venue: Kyiv, 10 Khreshchatyk St., IHUB
• Registration of participants: from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM

The event offers a unique opportunity to share experiences, establish partnerships and identify new opportunities for veteran entrepreneurship development.

To participate in the forum, please register at capableukraine.com.ua.

The conference will be held with the support of the program “Support to Civil Society Organizations in Ukraine”, funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and implemented by Crown Agents in partnership with International Alert and in cooperation with Crown Agents in Ukraine.

As part of the initiative of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, a meeting was held with representatives of government agencies and members of the United States Air Force Trials 2024 national team. Yaroslav Khomenko, a representative of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, played an important role in this event. Yaroslav has extensive experience working for the benefit of the veteran community.

Yaroslav Khomenko is a veteran and a leading specialist in the legal department of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation. He represents an important link between the veteran community and the state. Prior to joining the Foundation, Khomenko had extensive experience in the field of free secondary legal aid, including work at the Chernihiv Legal Aid Bureau. He also served in the 81st separate airmobile brigade as a platoon commander with the rank of lieutenant, where he was awarded badges and certificates for his participation in combat operations.

Yaroslav Khomenko, a veteran with extensive experience in both legal aid and military service, shared his knowledge and experience on access to legal advice and other important services for veterans. He announced the ambitious plans of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation for the next year, focusing on supporting veterans through social integration and professional development. One of the key initiatives is to support veteran entrepreneurship through competitive programs and the provision of financial resources.

The Foundation will continue to promote veteran entrepreneurship by organizing competitive programs for veterans. Such initiatives not only provide veterans with financial support, but also contribute to their professional growth and social integration.

This meeting was an important step in providing veterans with the information and resources necessary for their social and professional development. The meeting emphasized not only the importance of cooperation between government agencies and veterans’ organizations. The discussion focused on Yaroslav Khomenko’s personal experience of providing legal assistance to veterans. The meeting opened up new horizons for veterans, providing them with access to a wide range of services and support from the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

The United States Air Force Trials 2024 competition in Ukraine is organized by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs in cooperation with the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, the NGO “Come Back Alive!”, the NGO “StratCom Ukraine” and the NGO “Invictus Games Ukraine”.

Most military personnel see their professional future in Ukraine.

Veterans returning from the frontline have a huge potential for the country’s development, but at the same time they need support to adapt to civilian life.

This process not only requires significant efforts on the part of the state and society, but also challenges the veterans themselves, who seek to find their place after military service and build their professional future.

According to Work.ua, before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the platform had more than 100,000 vacancies. However, since the beginning of the war, the number of vacancies has decreased by more than 10 times, and a third of businesses have stopped their operations. This reduction in jobs has led to a more than fivefold increase in competition among job seekers. However, since April 2022, there has been a gradual recovery in the labor market.

However, the problems of employment and retraining are particularly acute for veterans, given the gap between the skills they acquired in the war and the needs of the civilian labor market.

It is noteworthy that 39.12% of military personnel face the problem of a lack of adaptation period in the workplace.

The biggest challenge for veterans

Unemployment is a significant problem for veterans, and it is growing. 30.95% of veterans who are not currently serving in the Ukrainian Defense Forces have faced unemployment. This is evidenced by a survey conducted by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation between January 15 and 25, 2024, among 1,043 participants.

Read more about this problem in the column by Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, Acting Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.