New Business Hub Opens in Odesa: Support and Growth

A new Business Hub has been launched in Odesa based on the Employment Center. This initiative aims to assist small and medium-sized enterprises facing challenges due to the war. The hub will provide consultancy services, training programs, access to grants, a modern working environment, conference rooms, as well as relaxation areas and play zones for children.

A key focus is on inclusivity: two offices are equipped for people with disabilities, featuring automatic sliding doors and tactile signage. Boris Emeldesh, president of the All-Ukrainian Association of Entrepreneurs, noted that the space is designed to be safe, barrier-free, autonomous, and functional.

At the opening, government representatives and partner organizations discussed the challenges entrepreneurs face during wartime and shared examples of successful adaptation.

Ihor Koval, secretary of the Odesa City Council, conveyed greetings from the mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov. The address emphasized that this space symbolizes resilience and business development even in the most challenging conditions. Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of regional economies and a driving force for community recovery, yet they are often the hardest hit by military actions. Therefore, such initiatives are of great importance.

Maxim Boroda, project manager for economic policy at UNDP in Ukraine, stressed that the opening is just the first step. The main goal is to fill the space with meaningful content and develop a network of hubs that interact with each other and other business support formats.

The Sustainable Business Hub in Odesa was opened by the All-Ukrainian Association of Private Employers with the support of the UN Development Programme in Ukraine and financial assistance from the Government of Japan under the project "Transformative Recovery for the Safety of People in Ukraine."