Economy and exports

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. 

People are the key to change. Thanks to TIPSTER, 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. 

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’. 

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. 

In 2020–2021, the Foundation for Support of Reforms was involved in developing Ukraine's National Export Strategy and sectoral and cross-sectoral strategies within the programme. We helped identify priority areas and prepared analytical materials and recommendations for businesses and the government. 

In 2024-2025, the Foundation again joined the development of the Export Strategy of Ukraine until 2030. In the context of a full-scale war, exports are not only about economic growth, but also budget stability, military salaries and defence funding. Together with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, international donors and the TIPSTER project team, a new Export Strategy was created. 

Thanks to our projects, thousands of Ukrainian companies have entered foreign markets, strengthened their competitiveness, and contributed to strengthening Ukraine's economy even in wartime.