On September 29, 2024, enpact organized the Just Transition through Entrepreneurship Day in Lviv, Ukraine. The event brought together participants from the project’s Businesses and Ideas Tracks, as well as representatives from business support organizations and local Ukrainian authorities, experts, mentors, and ecosystem enablers.
Together, they explored the role of entrepreneurship in advancing a just transition to clean energy, supporting Ukraine’s economic resilience, adapting businesses for a post-carbon economy, and building robust support infrastructures for entrepreneurs.
The participants of both tracks had a lot to say about the event:
“Both the roundtable and networking were valuable to me. At the roundtable, I could express my thoughts on creating a strong infrastructure to support entrepreneurs, was heard, and realized that there were many similar opinions! In addition, I met colleagues and possible future partners and continued to communicate with them during networking.”
“There were interesting discussion topics, a good audience, and interesting experts. I even spoke, which I rarely do.”
“I have already told everyone in the world what a chance and opportunity we have now and what incredible professional support we are receiving. Thank you for the highest class of the project!”
“I would like to thank you for all the insights, information, and most importantly, for the atmosphere and positive emotions you shared with us!”
Throughout the event, an open dialogue panel discussion and three roundtables took place.
Panel Discussion “The Role of Entrepreneurship for a Just Transition”
Experts: Halyna Lytvyn (Team Leader, Head of the Regional Office in Ukraine, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), Sergii Kornyluk (adviser to the mayor of Novovolynsk), Maksym Shuliaka (Head of Diia.Business Center in Lutsk), Roman Semenyuk (Businesses Track participant, entrepreneur from Volyn) Moderation: Liliia Kuzik (Senior Marketing and Sustainability Manager, Co-Founder “Hair for Share”)
The panel discussion focused on entrepreneurship as a driving force for change in regions undergoing economic transformation due to coal mine closures.
The experts discussed the types of support needed to help these regions transition away from coal-based economies. They emphasized collaboration with the state and across regions, as well as informing, creating, and providing educational resources and opportunities, including incubators, for business owners and their teams. When discussing learning opportunities, the experts also looked into what makes these programs successful.
They reflected on the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, most of which stem from either the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine (e.g. shortage and mobilization of personnel and resulting changes in gender structure) or more general issues such as deficit of management capabilities. To address these challenges, experts recommended implementing strategic planning, prioritizing people, and transitioning toward new, “green” professions.
Roundtable 1 “Building Strong Support Infrastructure for Entrepreneurs”
Experts: Yulia Lavrentii (Deputy Chief of the Economic Policy Department, Novovolynsk City Council), Maksym Shuliaka (Head of Diia.Business Center in Lutsk, Algorytm Dii), Mykola Savulyak (Head of the NGO ‘Business Community Club Ukraine’), Andreas Flodström (Co-Founder of Beetroot Academy).
Participants exchanged experiences and ideas on financing, collaboration with authorities, business incubators, and skill development. They also discussed the challenges within each area and proposed potential solutions.
Most of the problems are related to a lack of time, skills, collaboration, financial resources, and complex administrative procedures. Proposed solutions focus on creating platforms, providing training, and offering guidance to help participants gain essential knowledge and access information about grant opportunities. Another solution involves connecting with local authorities and business communities in Ukraine and internationally.
Roundtable 2 “Entrepreneurship in International Economic Development Cooperation”
Experts: Halyna Lytvyn (Team Leader, Head of the Regional Office, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), Andrii Tkachuk (Deputy Chief of entrepreneurship and trade department, Volyn regional military administration), Anna Harmashova (Project Manager, Beetroot Academy), Vitalii Kyrychuk (Vice-president of Volyn Chamber of Commerce and Industry).
During the second roundtable, participants and experts concentrated on topics such as business growth through cooperation with different stakeholders, completing and securing grant applications, and business support programs.
Most challenges related to these topics stem from concerns about future business opportunities, difficulties in expanding production facilities, complex grant application forms, limited English proficiency, lack of communication with local authorities, and shortages of services and programs tailored to real business needs, as well as the lack of continuity once these programs end.
Participants agreed that equipping business owners with advocacy tools and facilitating communication with the government through business associations and organizations can help address some of these challenges. Additionally, adapting application forms to the local context and providing detailed instructions can assist in overcoming issues related to completing grant applications. Another point was allowing flexible use of grant funds enables entrepreneurs to allocate resources according to their needs while providing networking and informativeopportunities that can promote the sustainability of programs after they conclude.
Roundtable 3 “Adapting business for post-coal economies”
Experts: Iryna Pykaliuk (Head of Agency for Regional Development PRYBUZHZHIA), Nazar Podolchak (Project manager and executive director of the NGO Tech StartUp School), and Sergii Kornyluk (adviser to the mayor of Novovolynsk).
The third roundtable focused on conditions in post-coal towns, collaborative development efforts, regional workforce qualification, and business challenges associated with a just transition.
In discussing these issues, participants concluded that the main challenges are primarily linked to the outflow of personnel (both abroad and to other Ukrainian regions or cities) and the decline of major industries. This decline has led to a need for more opportunities for professionals from these sectors, particularly miners and other mining-related specialists, as well as a lack of support for retraining. Infrastructure-related challenges were highlighted during the roundtable, including limited transportation links between towns and villages, abandoned buildings, and a lack of essential equipment and infrastructure.
To address these challenges, several measures were recommended:
- creating opportunities for local development, such as creating joint platforms for interdisciplinary cooperation;
- establishing and supporting growth for small and medium-sized businesses;
- improving transport infrastructure to connect towns better;
- renovating buildings;
- and fostering collaborations between educational institutions and local businesses to establish student internships and employment opportunities.
The goal of the Just Transition through Entrepreneurship Day was to engage with experts, local businesses, and authorities, focusing on key challenges and potential solutions to support regional development within the framework of a just transition.
If you’re more of a visualizer than a reader, you can also check the recap highlights here!
The ‘Just Transition through Entrepreneurship’ Project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The project is implemented by the non-profit organization enpact.
