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European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
News article28 February 2023Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations

Commission launches €7.5 million calls to support the integration of Ukrainian SMEs in the Single Market

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Today, the Commission is launching two calls for proposals under the joint title “ReadyForEU”, with a total budget of €7.5 million. The two calls aim at helping Ukrainian entrepreneurs and businesses to benefit from the Single Market. The calls are funded under the Single Market Programme and follow the recent agreement for Ukraine to join the programme, signed by President von der Leyen and Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on 2 February 2023.

The first call, the “Business Bridge”, with a budget of €4.5 million, will provide financial support to Ukrainian small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) affected by the war, in the form of vouchers to access services and participate in trade fairs in the EU.

The second call, the “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs - Ukraine”, with a budget of €3 million, will allow new Ukrainian entrepreneurs to gain business experience in other European countries.

The calls are open as of 28 February 2023 and Ukrainian businesses and entrepreneurs will be able to apply in the final quarter of this year.

Commissioner responsible for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said: “Europe is committed to supporting Ukraine's successful integration in the Single Market. With today's calls for proposals, we are offering tangible financial support for small Ukrainian businesses and entrepreneurs to build new partnerships with other European companies and expand into the EU.”

A press release is available here.

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