Roundtable in Dnipro: how to support Ukrainian female entrepreneurs in new realities
On February 12, a roundtable discussion was held in Dnipro, dedicated to the integration of Ukrainian women entrepreneurs in conditions of forced displacement. The event brought together representatives of science, business, government and public organizations, who worked together on solutions for the development of women's entrepreneurship.
The event was held within the framework of an international project of Mariupol State University and Cambridge Judge Business School, implemented with the support of Cambridge University’s Research England Policy Support Fund, UKRI. Its goal is to study the challenges faced by Ukrainian women entrepreneurs and develop mechanisms for their support in new communities in Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Women who were forced to leave their homes face serious difficulties: access to financing, legal support, integration into a new business environment. However, the study confirms that women entrepreneurs demonstrate incredible resilience and adaptability, which opens the way for them to new opportunities.
During the discussion, the participants discussed:
- Financial support and ways to facilitate access to loans and grants.
- Training and mentoring programs that help women entrepreneurs develop business skills.
- Legal and administrative assistance in registering and running a business.
- Integrating Ukrainian women into the international business ecosystem.
State support strategies in Ukraine and the UK.
Ukrainian women entrepreneurs are the driving force of the economy. Our task is to create an environment for them in which they can develop their own business without unnecessary barriers,
- said Denis Tarasenko, Director of the Mariupol State University Educational and Scientific Institute of Management.
The main problem is not ideas, but resources for their implementation. Financing, consulting, legal support are what women who build businesses from scratch need today,
- emphasized Anna Chechel, professor and researcher at the University of Cambridge.
Andriy Kyrylenko, a professor at Cambridge Business School, emphasized that international cooperation plays a key role in the development of female entrepreneurship: “Unifying Ukrainian businesswomen in global business networks will open up new markets and opportunities for them.”
The roundtable resulted in a resolution with specific recommendations that will form the basis of state programs to support women’s businesses. The plans include expanding the business incubator program, launching mentoring platforms, and developing specialized courses for female entrepreneurs.
Ukrainian women prove every day that they are capable of not only overcoming difficulties, but also creating new opportunities. Their business is not just an economic activity, but a strategic resource for the country’s recovery and development.
