The Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine promotes community recovery and development, because strong communities are essential for a sustainable and competitive country. In partnership with international donors, we implement programmes that help vocational education institutions in the regions establish cooperation with businesses, support the development of women's entrepreneurship, and provide tools for modernisation and entry of small and medium-sized businesses into new markets.
Cooperation between vocational education and business in regions: the InConnect 2 project
In 2025, the project “InConnect 2: Strengthening VET-Business Partnership” was launched, which is being implemented by the NGU ‘Foundation for support of reforms in Ukraine’ with the financial support of the European Union, Germany, Poland and Estonia within the framework of the Skills4Recovery Multi-Donor Initiative implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH та Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL).
The project aims to promote Ukraine's economic recovery by deepening cooperation between vocational education and employers. 33 institutions of vocational education and training (VET) from 16 regions of Ukraine have already been selected to participate in the strategic planning programme. It demonstrates a high level of interest in the topic and readiness to partner with businesses.
The project provides:
-
open online training;
-
mentoring support in the preparation and implementation of project applications;
-
the opportunity to receive sub-grants for the implementation of joint projects between VET institutions and businesses;
-
increasing the visibility of successful practices of VET institutions and businesses.
The expected outcome is the signing of at least 10 memoranda between VET institutions and businesses, the implementation of 10 partnership projects and the creation of a practical guide for replicating successful models of cooperation.
Women's Entrepreneurship Development: Grow 2.0
In 2024, as part of the Inclusive Economy project implemented as part of the Good Governance Fund with funding from UK International Development from the UK Government (implemented by Abt Global and the Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine), the Grow 2.0 training programme was developed.
Over 250 women from different parts of Ukraine were trained, got mentoring sessions, coaching, counselling, and, most importantly, went through an inner transformation. As a result:
-
over 60% of participants reported an increase in profits within 2–3 months after completing the training;
-
over 50% created or updated their brand, launched new products, and expanded their customer base;
-
the final fair in Kyiv brought together dozens of participants who were able to showcase their products and establish new partnerships.
Support for SMEs and export activities
Support for small and medium-sized enterprises, which are drivers of economic development and create new jobs, is also an important component of community development. We help businesses recover from losses, modernise production, enter new markets and integrate into the European market. Such initiatives include Microgrants for Big Ideas: Export, Horizon Logistics and EU4Business: Recovery, Competitiveness and Internationalisation of SMEs, which contributed to expanding export opportunities, establishing efficient logistics and increasing the competitiveness of Ukrainian enterprises.
Such programmes not only strengthen the local economy but also provide communities with stable sources of income and new growth prospects.
In cooperation with international partners, we are opening up new economic opportunities for regions and forming the basis for their sustainable economic growth.