The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic provoked a deepening economic crisis that hit and threatens SMEs the hardest and has further exacerbated access to finance, especially for women-led businesses. Digitalization gained importance for business continuity during and after the pandemic, but Ukraine’s SMEs lag behind. In addition, SME's poor understanding of modernized production processes and low value chain integration negatively affect SMEs’ recovery and capacity to rebound after the crisis. In this context, delivery of advisory also needs to adapt in order to effectively reach businesses and strengthen the local business advisory infrastructure.

The overall goal of this intervention is to strengthen SMEs and business advisory services in Ukraine, and thus contribute to a competitive and resilient SME sector. Advancing the digitalization processes of SMEs, their integration into local value chains and providing business advice will strengthen entrepreneurship and contribute to address challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will in turn contribute to improve SMEs’ access to finance, growth and job creation. This will be achieved by 1) work on the demand side through hands-on SME advisory with a focus on digitalization, value chains and sustainable business practices- 2) work on the supply side by improving the local business advisory infrastructure.

Performance and professional capacity of SMEs enhanced

Productivity and growth of SMEs promoted

SMEs better integrated in local value chains

Quality and supply of existing local advisory services improved

New local advisory services created

Sustainability of market for local advisory services enhanced

Erwartete Resultate:  

The key outputs can be summarized as follows:

Local consultancy projects with SMEs implemented

International advisory projects with SMEs implemented

Trainings for SMEs conducted

Awareness raising and promotional events carried out

Market and Sector Development Activities promoted

Advisory projects to Aggregators on value chain optimization and improved ESG standards implemented

Trainings for consultants conducted

Upgrades of MEREZHA match-making platform developed