Support and Employment of Veterans and Their Families

After the full-scale invasion, thousands of veterans are returning to civilian life and seeking to work and provide for their families. Nearly 69% of respondents surveyed by the Ukrainian Veterans Fund say they want to start their own business. At the same time, they face barriers: access to finance, lack of skills, mentorship, and psychological support. All of this slows down self-employment and the development of MSMEs in communities where every new job matters.

For Raiffeisen Bank, this is both a challenge and an opportunity: to strengthen local economies, reduce the vulnerability of veterans in the labor market, and foster a culture of responsible entrepreneurship.

In partnership with the agro-industrial holding Astarta-Kyiv (with Vodafone Ukraine joining in 2024), we launched “Brave” – a grant program for veterans, their family members, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and small entrepreneurs that helps develop both new and existing business ideas.

Within the program, participants receive:

• Grants of up to UAH 280,000 for equipment;
• Training at leading educational institutions of Ukraine;
• Expert-led workshops and access to educational courses;
• Internships at Astarta’s agricultural enterprises.

Since 2022, Raiffeisen Bank has financed business applications under the program totaling UAH 20,000,000.

During this time:

• 153 veteran-led and 64 small businesses received funding;
•  700+ jobs were created;
• 18 months of training and mentorship support were provided.

The project’s main goal is sustainable veteran-owned businesses that strengthen the economy during the war and in the post-war period.