Ukraine’s national small business grant program “Vlasna Sprava” (Own Business) has issued over 34,000 micro-grants totalling nearly ₴9 billion and helped create 60,000 jobs since its launch in 2022. From 1 September 2026, it operates under a substantially revised model.
The Ministry of Economy, together with the State Employment Service, updated the program across several dimensions at once: flexible grant amounts replacing fixed ones, a new bonus system, simplified job creation requirements, and a separate stream for business scaling with grants of up to ₴2.5 million.
The current version of the program accepts applications until 1 August 2026. August is a technical pause. The updated version launches 1 September.
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What changes from 1 September 2026
The program now covers two streams: starting a business and scaling an existing one. Previously there were separate rules for different applicant categories; from September, a single unified procedure applies to all recipients.
Grant amounts are now flexible – previously fixed at ₴200,000 (1 job) or ₴350,000 (2+ jobs). From September, the base amount is determined by stream and adjusted through a bonus system.
Business startup stream: no job creation requirement for the base grant. Base amount ₴100,000–₴300,000; with bonuses up to ₴500,000.
Business scaling stream: creating 1 new job is sufficient to qualify. Base amount ₴500,000–₴1,500,000; with bonuses up to ₴2,500,000. This stream is for entrepreneurs with an already operating business.
The final grant amount in both streams depends on the number of jobs created, region, industry, and applicant category.
Bonus system
Bonuses stack and increase the base grant amount. Four bonus tiers:
| Bonus | Conditions |
|---|---|
| +5% | Youth aged 18–25 |
| +20% | Veteran-owned business; VAT payer; active patent, invention, or utility model linked to the business; IDP with 6+ months of business experience or relocated business; creating 2 new jobs |
| +30% | Operating or planning to operate in frontline regions; restoring destroyed or damaged production facilities |
| +50% | Projects in priority economic sectors |
The list of priority sectors for the +50% bonus is defined by the Ministry of Economy. The current list is available on the official program page and through the Diia portal.
What grant funds can be used for
Grant funds can be directed to: equipment purchases, premises rental or renovation, business digitisation, marketing and advertising, team expansion, and production development.
All expenses require documentation. The specific list of eligible costs and the business plan template are published by the State Employment Service and available for download through the Diia portal.
What matters right now
There is a gap between the current and updated versions of the program. The current version accepts applications until 1 August 2026. The new version launches 1 September. August is a month without application intake.
Applying now under current rules makes sense for those who already have a ready business plan and whose conditions fit the existing version. Current maximum: ₴350,000; simpler terms, lower competition.
Waiting until September is worth it for those applying for scaling grants (up to ₴2.5 million) or whose category qualifies for significant bonuses – veterans, frontline businesses, or projects in priority sectors.
How to apply
Submit applications exclusively through the Diia portal: diia.gov.ua/services/categories/biznesu/yerobota
Steps under the current rules:
1. Go to Diia and select the “єРобота → Vlasna Sprava” section. 2. Log in via BankID or digital signature (individual entrepreneur: business key; legal entity: director’s key with company EDRPOU). 3. Complete the online application and add the business plan using the Employment Service template. 4. Sign with a digital signature and submit. Review period: up to 30 business days.
After approval: open a designated bank account; funds are transferred through the program’s partner bank.
Summary table: Vlasna Sprava updated version (from 1 September 2026)
| Parameter | Business startup | Business scaling |
|---|---|---|
| Base amount | ₴100,000–₴300,000 | ₴500,000–₴1,500,000 |
| Maximum with bonuses | up to ₴500,000 | up to ₴2,500,000 |
| Jobs requirement | None for base grant | Minimum 1 new job |
| For whom | New or planned business | Existing business expanding |
| +5% bonus | Youth aged 18–25 | |
| +20% bonus | Veteran business; VAT payer; active patent/utility model; IDP 6+ months or relocated business; 2 new jobs | |
| +30% bonus | Frontline regions; restoring damaged production capacity | |
| +50% bonus | Projects in priority economic sectors | |
| Eligible spending | Equipment, premises rental/renovation, digitisation, marketing | |
| Where to apply | Diia portal → | |
| New rules from | 1 September 2026 | |
| Current version until | 1 August 2026 (pause in August) | |
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