For over 11 years, the Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine has been implementing projects aimed at developing Ukraine's economy, supporting exports and integrating businesses into global markets. We have helped introduce effective policies, strengthen the position of businesses in the country's economy and build new state institutions.
Project within the international cooperation programme ‘STEP IN 2 EU’
The Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine is implementing a project within the international cooperation programme ‘STEP IN 2 EU’. Its aim is to accelerate Ukraine’s integration into the EU Single Market by harmonising trade policy and technical regulations, as well as strengthening institutional and entrepreneurial capacity.
The main task is to ensure the transition from strategies to their practical implementation. The project involves creating tools for day-to-day use, developing data-driven solutions, and engaging a wide range of stakeholders in their development.
The project covers four interconnected areas:
• development of trade and exports as the basis for economic integration with the EU;
• the internal market and the ACAA agreement;
• support for small and medium-sized enterprises;
• institutional development and capacity building for civil servants involved in EU accession negotiations.
The implementation of the project helps to create a more predictable business environment, reduce barriers for exporters and integrate EU requirements into the day-to-day operations of public institutions and businesses.
The project is implemented by the NGU ‘Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine’ within the international cooperation programme ‘STEP IN 2 EU’, which is co-funded by the Governments of Germany and Norway, the European Union under its EU4Business initiative, and the Governments of Lithuania and Estonia. The programme is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
TIPSTER: Trade, Intellectual Property Support and Technical Regulation
One of the Foundation's largest projects in the economic sphere was TIPSTER. The project aimed to increase the competitiveness and sustainability of Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises, especially in view of EU accession.
Over the course of two years, TIPSTER covered five key areas: export development, intellectual property reform, support for technical regulation, promotion of Ukrainian business abroad, and capacity building for government officials.
Among the key achievements of TIPSTER is the creation of a draft of the new Export Strategy of Ukraine until 2030. Project experts also conducted comprehensive research to better understand the expectations of foreign importers and the needs of Ukrainian businesses.
Significant progress has been made in reforming the intellectual property sector. The TIPSTER team prepared proposals for a national IP strategy, six draft laws and analytical materials based on EU experience, and organised a study visit to Munich.
In the area of technical regulation, project experts prepared documents on standardisation, conformity assessment and consumer protection. They also contributed to Ukraine's preparation for the ACAA Agreement and promoted the development of the Quality Infrastructure of Ukraine platform.
TIPSTER played an important role in the international promotion of Ukrainian business. Trade missions and study tours to European countries enabled Ukrainian SMEs to learn from each other's experience, build new partnerships and enter foreign markets.
Also, 37 civil servants were trained in English and intercultural communication. Ten of the best participants were given the opportunity to undertake an internship in Brussels, directly with the EU institutions.
The project's success was made possible thanks to the coordinated work of partners: international organisations, Ukrainian ministries, the expert community and the public sector.
The TIPSTER project was implemented by the Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine with financial support from the Government of Germany under the international cooperation project ReACT4UA («Application and Implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in Trade»), executed by the German federal company Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
Support for small and medium-sized enterprises
Microgrants for Big Ideas: Export
In addition to export, we also help Ukrainian businesses broaden their horizons and successfully integrate into the global economy. In particular, the Foundation implemented the project ‘Microgrants for Big Ideas: Export’ with financial support from the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund. The total budget for the project was $100,000. These funds were distributed among 20 winners who received sub-grants to cover the costs of participating in international exhibitions, trade missions, study trips to EU countries, export consulting, product certification and intellectual property registration abroad.
EU4Business: Recovery, Competitiveness and Internationalisation of SMEs
Another business support programme that was implemented is ‘EU4Business: Recovery, Competitiveness and Internationalisation of SMEs’. Fifty SMEs affected by the war received grants of up to €10,000 to develop and restore their businesses. These funds covered expenses related to relocation, business recovery, replacement of equipment, transport for relocation or return, as well as other expenses for replenishing working capital or operational needs.
The international cooperation programme ‘EU4Business: Recovery, Competitiveness and Internationalisation of SMEs’ is funded by the European Union and the Government of Germany, and implemented by the German federal company ‘Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH’.
Horizon Logistics
Thanks to the ‘Horizon Logistics’ project, 56 small and medium-sized enterprises received individual expert advice and developed effective logistics plans, which helped them build supply chains and overcome barriers to entering the EU market. The project contributed to improving economic stability and export development, strengthening the position of Ukrainian businesses in the European market.
Export support: Export Promotion Office
In 2015, together with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and with the support of UMAEF (formerly WNISEF), we established the Export Promotion Office. Thanks to the project, hundreds of Ukrainian companies have presented themselves abroad, established international contacts and confidently declared themselves on foreign markets.
Over the years, the Office organised more than 350 trade missions and international exhibitions, ensured the participation of 370 companies in business forums, attracted almost 3,700 participants to Export Council meetings and formed a database of more than 8,500 Ukrainian exporters.
Subsequently, the Export Promotion Office was transformed into a state institution — the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office.
Ukraine's export policy
In 2020–2021, the Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine was involved in developing Ukraine's sectoral and cross-sectoral export strategies. We helped identify priority areas and prepared analytical materials and recommendations for businesses and the government.
In 2024–2025, the Foundation contributed to the development of Ukraine’s Export Strategy up to 2030 as part of the ReACT4UA programme. The document sets out the key priorities for the development of Ukrainian exports in the context of the war, post-war recovery and deeper European integration.
In June 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the new Export Strategy. Today, we are supporting its implementation as part of the STEP IN 2 EU programme.
Conclusions
All these projects share a common goal — to promote Ukraine’s sustainable economic development by strengthening institutional capacity, supporting entrepreneurship, developing exports and deepening economic integration with the European Union.