The Challenge
Over 7 million people have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion on 24th February 2022, forcing people to flee their homes seeking safety, protection, and assistance in host countries. Approximately 90% are women and children. Whilst the current pressing need is humanitarian aid, the emerging need is to maintain economic activity during the crisis.
The Needs
GEN UK focus group research reveals the resourcefulness of Ukrainian women entrepreneurs exposing a complexity of needs and pivots ranging from pressing local crisis needs with a healthy frozen food business pivoting to supply 1,500 soldiers in Kiev with daily meals to a fashion brand now supplying army uniforms. Our aim is to ensure business continuity during the crisis for the many existing women entrepreneurs. The Ukrainian Ministry of Business advocates relocating businesses to either the UK or Portugal.
The Programme
GEN UK is proud to launch its second Restart Ukraine to provide a support programme for Ukrainian female founders. The programme is designed to provide the necessary assistance to enable them to rebuild their businesses in the UK, to create an ‘economy in waiting’. To help us deliver the right help we are supported by LinkedIn and business organisations.
Overall Objective
Restart Ukraine aims to support the economic independence of women by creating a framework for the continuity of small business enterprise and the encouragement of startups and scaleups relocating to the UK to keep the Ukrainian economy alive.
The framework builds upon GEN’s expertise within 200 nations to provide the resources (learnings, mentors, funder networks, psychological care) It will curate the knowledge, tools and expertise to support Ukrainian women entrepreneurs forming a blueprint for other host nations.
The women joining our programme are invited to join our online community, the GEN UK HUB, providing immediate access to a support network. Volunteer mentors and business advisors are then matched to help them build their business.
The Ask
If you or your organisation would like to support financially or in kind, we would love to hear from you. Your contributions will transform the lives of women entrepreneurs displaced through the conflict.
Contact the Restart Ukraine team at hello@genuk.org
Apply to join Restart Ukraine
If you are a Ukrainian woman entrepreneur urgently looking for assistance for your business you can apply right now.
Click APPLY for details and to get started.
