On 7 March 2025, representatives of the Ukrainian Maritime Cluster participated in the online workshop “GRANTS FOR UKRAINIAN SMEs”, organised by the Lithuanian Innovation Centre and Civitta as part of the international cooperation programme EU4Business: Recovery of SMEs, Competitiveness and Internationalisation. The programme is co-financed by the European Union and the German government and implemented by the German federal company Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

During the workshop, participants discussed various financing options for Ukrainian businesses, including both private and public funding opportunities. For the private sector, several models were presented, such as venture capital, business angels and corporate partnerships, which enable companies to access the resources needed for growth without significant state obligations. Private financing was noted for its flexibility, speed of decision-making and ability to maintain control over the business.

Public funding, in turn, has important advantages. Firstly, it does not require equity participation, allowing companies to retain full ownership. Secondly, the volume of such funding can be substantial and significantly impact project development.

The workshop also emphasised the importance of having a clear financing strategy to ensure successful implementation of a business plan or project. This strategy should be carefully designed and aligned with the company’s objectives.

In conclusion, securing financing is a key step for the development of Ukrainian businesses, and each company should carefully choose the most appropriate funding strategy. Both private and public funding have their own strengths and limitations, so it is essential to consider previous experience, plan resources and priorities, and prepare a detailed roadmap and communication strategy for attracting partners and donors. A comprehensive approach is crucial for successful financial initiatives and sustainable business growth.

More details are available in the slides.

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