Deadline: 18-May-2026
The charitable foundation Women’s Opportunities in Ukraine has launched a national mini-grant programme supporting women entrepreneurs in the catering sector to create or improve summer outdoor playgrounds for cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, and fast-food businesses. Grants of up to 50,000 UAH are available, with a total programme budget of 455,000 UAH, aimed at strengthening business resilience, employment, and local economic recovery.
Women’s Opportunities in Ukraine Mini-Grant Programme (Catering Sector)
This grant initiative is implemented by the charitable foundation Women’s Opportunities in Ukraine to support women-led small businesses in Ukraine’s food and catering industry. The programme focuses specifically on developing and improving summer outdoor seating areas (“summer playgrounds”) to increase business sustainability during the warm season.
The initiative is particularly targeted at women entrepreneurs operating under challenging economic conditions, including war-affected and frontline regions.
Programme Objectives and Focus Areas
The mini-grant programme supports multiple development goals for women-owned catering businesses:
- Development and restoration of women-led catering businesses
- Creation and improvement of summer outdoor dining areas
- Strengthening seasonal economic stability for small businesses
- Supporting enterprises in frontline and war-affected regions
- Preserving and creating local jobs
- Encouraging socially impactful and community-oriented business models
- Promoting the “Water Circle” principle in business practices
The overall aim is to strengthen local economies while supporting women entrepreneurship in vulnerable conditions.
Funding Details
- Total programme budget: 455,000 UAH
- Maximum grant per applicant: up to 50,000 UAH
- Purpose of funding: creation, improvement, or expansion of summer outdoor business infrastructure
The funding is designed to improve business performance during the summer season and enhance customer capacity through outdoor service areas.
Eligible Uses of Grant Funds
Grant funding can be used for physical infrastructure and equipment related to outdoor catering operations, including:
- Outdoor furniture such as tables and chairs
- Umbrellas, awnings, and weather protection structures
- Decorative and functional outdoor lighting
- Outdoor coffee machines or ice cream equipment
- Small children’s play or recreation areas
Funds cannot be used for:
- Raw materials or consumables
- Employee salaries
- Transport or delivery costs
- Rent or renovation works
- Debt repayment
- Personal or unrelated business expenses
Who Can Apply (Eligibility Criteria)
Eligible applicants must meet all the following conditions:
- Women entrepreneurs who are citizens of Ukraine
- Permanent residents of Ukraine
- Registered as individual entrepreneurs (FOP)
- Operating a catering business such as:
- Cafe
- Coffee shop
- Bakery
- Fast food outlet
- Other small food service formats
Business Requirements
Applicants must also meet operational conditions:
- Business must have been operating for at least 3 months in Ukraine
OR - Business relocated to Ukraine after 24 February 2022 with confirmed internally displaced person (IDP) status
- No operations in temporarily occupied territories
- No business ties with Russia or Belarus
- No outstanding debts to the state budget
Priority Applicant Groups
The programme gives priority consideration to vulnerable and war-affected groups, including:
- Internally displaced women (IDPs)
- Wives of military personnel
- Family members of fallen Ukrainian defenders
- Women with disabilities
- Women directly affected by the war
Additional preference is given to projects located in:
- Dnipropetrovsk region
- Zaporizhia region
- Kharkiv region
- Mykolaiv region
- Kherson region
- Sumy region
- Chernihiv region
Projects near frontline communities or contributing to local recovery and employment are especially encouraged.
Geographic and Social Impact Focus
The programme prioritises:
- Frontline and conflict-affected regions
- Local economic recovery initiatives
- Job preservation and creation
- Strengthening small community-based businesses
- Sustainable development of women-led enterprises
Why This Programme Matters
This mini-grant initiative is important because it:
- Supports women entrepreneurs in fragile economic conditions
- Helps rebuild small businesses affected by war
- Strengthens local food service economies
- Encourages outdoor business adaptation for seasonal resilience
- Promotes employment in local communities
- Directly supports frontline and displaced populations
- Enhances community infrastructure for public dining and social spaces
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants may be excluded for:
- Missing or incomplete business registration (FOP requirement)
- Operating outside eligible catering sectors
- Having ties with restricted countries (Russia or Belarus)
- Applying without confirmed residency or citizenship requirements
- Using funds for ineligible expenses like salaries or rent
- Not meeting minimum business operating duration
- Submitting unclear or incomplete project descriptions
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define how the summer playground improves business income
- Show how the project supports local community engagement
- Demonstrate financial sustainability and seasonal impact
- Highlight job creation or preservation
- Provide a realistic and detailed cost breakdown
- Emphasise resilience in war-affected or frontline areas
- Align the proposal with social impact goals
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for this grant?
Women entrepreneurs in Ukraine registered as individual entrepreneurs (FOP) operating catering businesses.
What is the maximum funding available?
Each selected applicant can receive up to 50,000 UAH.
What is the total budget of the programme?
The total fund is 455,000 UAH.
What types of businesses are eligible?
Cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, fast food outlets, and similar catering businesses.
Can funds be used for salaries or rent?
No, the grant excludes salaries, rent, debt repayment, and consumables.
Are displaced women eligible?
Yes, internally displaced women are a priority group and fully eligible if requirements are met.
Which regions are prioritised?
Frontline and war-affected regions including Kharkiv, Kherson, Sumy, Chernihiv, and others.
Conclusion
The Women’s Opportunities in Ukraine mini-grant programme is designed to strengthen women-led catering businesses by funding outdoor summer infrastructure. It supports economic recovery, job creation, and resilience in war-affected communities while prioritising vulnerable groups and frontline regions. The initiative combines business development with social impact, helping women entrepreneurs sustain and grow their enterprises under challenging conditions.
For more information, visit Hume City Council.