Over the past year and amid the challenges of war, the number of women starting their own businesses increased in Ukraine. A new survey produced this statistic, as well as findings on the specific needs of Ukrainian female entrepreneurs, especially those belonging to vulnerable groups.

In January 2024 the Good Governance Fund presented results from the survey “The needs and problems of Ukrainian entrepreneurs in the context of full-scale war.” Nearly 500 female entrepreneurs participated in this study, conducted by Abt Britain and the Kyiv School of Economics in collaboration with Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, Ministry of Economy, and Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office.

Andrii Remizov, Director of the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office, with participants of the event

“[The findings] will help the Government of Ukraine and international partners to understand the needs and serve as a basis for the creation and implementation of educational, consulting and grant support programs for Ukrainian women,” said Andrii Remizov, Director of the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office.

According to the survey results, key problems facing Ukrainian female entrepreneurs include:

• Consequences of the economic crisis -reported by 45 percent of respondents
• Frequent legislative and tax system changes – reported by 33 percent of respondents
• High competition – reported by 32 percent of respondents,
• Potential interruptions in communication and energy supply – reported by 23 percent of respondents
• Regulatory inspections – reported by 23 percent of respondents

Gender biases are particularly visible in the initial stages of business development, but stable partnerships and gaining experience in business activities help reduce this pressure.

Another issue identified by the survey results is women often relying on their own financial capabilities despite the availability of grants or programmes through the Government of Ukraine or international donors.

Tetyana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine

“Involvement of women in the labour market and entrepreneurship is a key priority of the state.That is why the Ministry of Economy implements several initiatives to achieve this goal,” said Tetyana Berezhna, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy. She specified the “Own Business” grant program, where 55 percent of grant recipients are women.

Women’s entrepreneurship development programmes must also consider labour market changes resulting from the full-scale war.

“The British government is supporting women entrepreneurs in Ukraine through the implementation of targeted initiatives and collaboration, such as the Women’s Business Empowerment Programme, ‘Grow’, which has so far supported 15 women entrepreneurs residing in war-affected communities,” said Wendy De Luca, Head of Good Governance Fund Ukraine, British Embassy Kyiv. “They learned how to improve business efficiency through effective management, as well as how to attract grant funds for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses. Our goal is to help these women increase their already significant contribution to the Ukrainian economy and contribute to the creation of a more equal society.”

Digital tools and services are pivotal to the development of women’s entrepreneurship in Ukraine. During the last year, the Government of Ukraine launched several specialised programmes that promote the expansion and growth of women-led enterprises.

Valeriya Ionan, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine

“The development of women’s entrepreneurship is a priority of our work within the national project Diia.Business,” said Valeriya Ionan, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation.

She went on to identify multiple programs under development. According to Deputy Minister Ionan, more than 72,000 Ukrainians used Diia.Business services over the past year.

Attendees at the event also heard from founders of Ukrainian women-led businesses, including “Organic Milk,” “Vmway,””MFT,” (My Favourite Toothpaste), and “Jul’s Coffee & Peace.” They shared stories about applying for support programmes and successfully building their businesses..

Funded by UK International Development from the UK government and implemented by Alinea, the Good Governance Fund Programme Management Unit designs, procures, and supervises rapid, responsive technical assistance to mobilise reforms in Ukraine.

Read more about the conducted survey in Diia.Business portal.

alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

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New survey produces key insights on the state of women-led businesses in Ukraine

“The development of women’s entrepreneurship is a priority of our work within the national project Diia.Business,” said Valeriya Ionan, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation.

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