The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) branches have received the first grants to support social entrepreneurship under the REDpreneurUA programme.

 “The Strengthening the Resilience of War-Affected People through Business Development and Social Innovation programme, REDpreneurUA, has reached a new milestone. This funding will enable the teams to begin implementing their business ideas aimed at supporting communities and vulnerable groups,” URCS said on Facebook Wednesday.

A special feature of the programme is the long-term support provided by mentors, who will accompany the teams at all stages of implementation. Mentors — experts in marketing, finance, and legal matters — will assist in adapting business models, developing effective promotion strategies, and overcoming challenges.

This stage marks only the beginning of a long journey. In 2025, the teams will continue to develop their social enterprises.

As reported, citizens of Ukraine aged 18 to 59 years old, who do not have an operating business, but who seek to start a socially oriented startup aimed at rebuilding the country, participate in the program. Candidates for participation in the program were selected according to the following criteria: internally displaced persons (IDPs) with registration (from February 24,2022); persons with disabilities; persons helping elderly people (over 65 years old) and persons with disabilities of groups I and/or II; families raising two or more minor children (under 18 years); single parents; guardians of an incapacitated person; long-term socially vulnerable unemployed persons (excluding and registered with the Employment Center).