THE IMPACT OF THE “E-ROBOTA” PROGRAM GRANTS UNDER THE “OWN BUSINESS” TRACK ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article examines the results of the implementation of the government program “E-Robota” under the “Own Business” track as a financial support tool for micro and small enterprises in Ukraine amid full-scale war, economic instability, and post-war recovery. Launched in July 2022, the program aims to stimulate self-employment, support business start-ups and development, and create new jobs across all regions of Ukraine, including frontline areas. The purpose of the study is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the grant mechanism on the dynamics of entrepreneurial activity in the country, to identify sectoral, regional, and temporal characteristics of the program’s implementation, and to determine the key barriers affecting the effective utilization of grant resources. The methodological framework of the research combines elements of statistical analysis, comparative methods, and expert evaluation, based on generalized data from the Center for Development “CHAS ZMIN” and official sources of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine. The study presents aggregated statistical data on the number of grants issued, funding volumes, and the number of jobs created during 2022-2025. As of March 2025, more than 22,000 microgrants had been issued, totaling UAH 5.3 billion, which facilitated the creation of over 46,000 new jobs. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the sectoral composition of supported businesses, particularly in trade, food services, services, light industry, and processing sectors. The study identifies key challenges in the program’s implementation, including: low awareness among applicants, difficulties in preparing business plans, strict job creation requirements, restrictions on eligible expenditures, and the lack of systematic post-grant monitoring. Based on these identified issues, the article presents a table of common challenges, their consequences, and practical recommendations for improving the program at institutional and regulatory levels. The article emphasizes the strategic importance of the “Own Business” program within the framework of national policy for entrepreneurship support and substantiates the feasibility of its further scaling. This includes the involvement of regional support platforms, flexible expenditure models, tailored conditions for various types of businesses, and stronger partnerships between government agencies, business associations, and advisory structures. The practical results of the study can be used in developing an updated concept for stimulating self-employment and the growth of small businesses in the context of Ukraine’s economic transformation.