The ongoing war in Ukraine has displaced millions of people and put significant strain on local economies. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), have faced major disruptions, leading to job losses, skill gaps and reduced income opportunities.
In response, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with funding from the Government of Bulgaria, is supporting aspiring entrepreneurs in Lviv oblast through UNIDO’s Green Industrial Recovery Programme for Ukraine (2024–2028). The initiative focuses on expanding self-employment and income-generating opportunities by strengthening local business support institutions and providing practical coaching to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly youth, women and internally displaced persons (IDPs), helping them to turn ideas into viable enterprises.
Key partners in this effort include the West Ukrainian Cluster of Social Enterprises (WUCSE) and the Tech Startup School Lviv. Over several weeks, these institutions delivered structured business coaching combining HP LIFE training content with UNIDO’s entrepreneurship development methodology. Participants received tailored mentoring, developed practical business plans, strengthened financial literacy, and built the confidence to grow their enterprises.
The impact of this support is reflected in the experiences of programme participants.
For Iryna Halushchak, a Lviv-based artisan creating ethno-style beaded jewellery inspired by historic Ukrainian designs, the programme provided clarity at a pivotal moment. Although her products were already in demand and legally protected through trademark and copyright registration, she lacked confidence in core business skills.
I lacked knowledge on bookkeeping, planning and hiring people. The training and coaching helped me understand that I need to structure everything - financial calculations, tasks and deadlines. When you break big goals into smaller steps, everything feels less scary and more realistic.
Iryna Halushchak
Beneficiary of the project
Beyond technical skills, Iryna highlights the value of learning alongside other women entrepreneurs. “Another motivating push is the women learning with me in the programme - their experience and achievements. We can advise one another, and that support really matters.”
Svitlana Bondarenko, an IDP from Luhansk region and founder of the Lviv-based bakery Dukhmyana Mriia (“Fragrant Dream”), also joined the programme at a critical stage of growth. Her bakery, which donates unsold products to volunteers supporting other displaced families, is in high demand, but constrained by labor shortages and limited capacity.
“For me, the marketing and product-promotion module was especially valuable,” Svitlana explains. “Each training brought new insights. It was also important to meet people with whom I can cooperate later.”
With clearer growth planning and a stronger understanding of promotion strategies, Svitlana is now focused on expanding production, hiring staff and opening additional sales points across Lviv.
Lidiia Medvedieva, a mother of three and wife of a veteran, explains how the programme helped transform a family initiative into a structured business. Together with her husband, she produces natural, sugar-free fried ice cream and combines entrepreneurship with a strong social mission, bringing moments of joy to children in hospitals and veterans in rehabilitation centres.
By joining the project, I received highly practical knowledge, how to correctly calculate profit and how to work with risks. We’ve already decided on the direction we want to move forward. Thank you for your support. Seeing that our social mission matters, and receiving this guidance, means a lot to our family.
Lidiia Medvedieva
Beneficiary of the project
To date, 43 aspiring entrepreneurs have been trained, resulting in the creation of 22 new businesses and 42 new jobs, with a further 30 jobs planned. In addition, 329 people have benefited indirectly from the project’s support. Through partnerships with local institutions and targeted assistance to entrepreneurs, the Bulgaria-supported UNIDO project continues to foster business development and employment generation in Lviv oblast.
For more information, please contact: Petra Wenitzky, Industrial Development Expert