In April 2024, IOM Romania and BCR Social Finance launched an innovative grant programme aimed at supporting small businesses owned by displaced people from Ukraine and Romanian citizens employing displaced people from Ukraine. The programme provided financial resources to entrepreneurs from several cities across Romania, helping them to launch and expand their businesses. The initiative was funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of population, refugees, and migration.
The small businesses led by displaced persons from Ukraine and those supporting them have very limited access to finances to support their development through the state schemes, as they have to compete on the open market with Romanian entrepreneurs who are often in a stronger position to meet – and perhaps exceed – funding requirements. The programme aimed to fill this (financial) support gap, providing grants alongside consultation on business plans and financial management in order to ensure that recipients had enough assistance to set up, develop or expand their businesses.
Displaced entrepreneurs from Ukraine and Romanian small businesses that employ them, as well as local communities are the direct beneficiaries of this programme.
The grant programme was promoted in local communities by IOM Romania and its partners. 160 applications were received and evaluated by BCR Social Finance, with 15 businesses ultimately selected to receive small grants for equipment, rent, online marketing, and other essential activities.
IOM Romania worked closely with grant recipients to provide assistance, including through consultation on business plans and financial management. It also monitored the impact of the grants on businesses and the influence of these businesses on the local community. Finally, the progress of the new businesses was monitored in order to ensure efficient use of the grants and growth according to the original business plans.
- Project duration
- 1 Apr 2024 - 1 Dec 2024
- Project locations
- Romania
- Project website
- The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Romania
- Topic
- Ukraine response
Results
15 small businesses, owned mainly by displaced people from Ukraine, were awarded grants for equipment, rent and online promotion/marketing. The businesses were located in towns across Romania: Tulcea, Galati, Suceava, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov and Bucharest.
Besides helping individual entrepreneurs, the grants also contributed to the better economic integration of displaced people from Ukraine into Romanian society.
The following entrepreneurs received grants from the programme:
Tulcea
- Zhorzheta and Liliana used the grant to rent and equip a new office space for their custom digital printing business, to set up a professional website, marketing and promotion. Since then, their business has been steadily growing.
Galati
- Mykola, the owner of Human Capital Projects SRL, used the grant to enhance his consultancy business. He purchased a laptop and developed a professional website in order to provide PR and communication services. Mykola’s innovative solutions have contributed to the promotion of local businesses in the region and within the EU.
Suceava
- Rostyslav owns Homemade Food for You SRL, specialised in provision of traditional Ukrainian frozen foods. He used the grant to pay rent and promote his business online, enabling him to reach a wider audience, increase sales and expand production.
- Oana is the founder of ECO DESIGN SRL. She used the grant to hire a displaced person from Ukraine and to upgrade her medical optics equipment. The investment in equipment and workforce has contributed to improving her services.
Cluj-Napoca
- Olena and Kateryna are the administrators of Space No. 7, a multi-service business which includes cooking courses, a photography studio, and an event space. Thanks to the grant, they were able to secure the office space, equip and decorate it and to create a new set of services that are attracting a growing number of clients.
- Olga is the founder of SO Science HUB. She used her grant to purchase new, advanced equipment, which allowed her to deliver enhanced 3D modelling and graphic design courses. These upgrades have made her classes more interactive for students seeking to develop important digital skills needed on the job market.
- Olena and Oleksandr own a yoga and physiotherapy business. The grant helped them to secure a professional space, invest in equipment, and create job opportunities in Cluj-Napoca.
- Evghenii, the owner of Universal Building Services SRL, used the grant to buy new equipment and create a modern website. This expansion allowed him to offer more services, reach additional clients, and hire more displaced people from Ukraine. His business contributes to their economic integration.
- Nadiia and Andrii used their grant to open a business offering traditional Ukrainian cuisine via catering and delivery services. Their business has created jobs for local residents.
15 small businesses, owned mainly by displaced people from Ukraine, were awarded grants for equipment, rent and online promotion/marketing. The businesses were located in towns across Romania: Tulcea, Galati, Suceava, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov and Bucharest.
Besides helping individual entrepreneurs, the grants also contributed to the better economic integration of displaced people from Ukraine into Romanian society.
The following entrepreneurs received grants from the programme:
Tulcea
- Zhorzheta and Liliana used the grant to rent and equip a new office space for their custom digital printing business, to set up a professional website, marketing and promotion. Since then, their business has been steadily growing.
Galati
- Mykola, the owner of Human Capital Projects SRL, used the grant to enhance his consultancy business. He purchased a laptop and developed a professional website in order to provide PR and communication services. Mykola’s innovative solutions have contributed to the promotion of local businesses in the region and within the EU.
Suceava
- Rostyslav owns Homemade Food for You SRL, specialised in provision of traditional Ukrainian frozen foods. He used the grant to pay rent and promote his business online, enabling him to reach a wider audience, increase sales and expand production.
- Oana is the founder of ECO DESIGN SRL. She used the grant to hire a displaced person from Ukraine and to upgrade her medical optics equipment. The investment in equipment and workforce has contributed to improving her services.
Cluj-Napoca
- Olena and Kateryna are the administrators of Space No. 7, a multi-service business which includes cooking courses, a photography studio, and an event space. Thanks to the grant, they were able to secure the office space, equip and decorate it and to create a new set of services that are attracting a growing number of clients.
- Olga is the founder of SO Science HUB. She used her grant to purchase new, advanced equipment, which allowed her to deliver enhanced 3D modelling and graphic design courses. These upgrades have made her classes more interactive for students seeking to develop important digital skills needed on the job market.
- Olena and Oleksandr own a yoga and physiotherapy business. The grant helped them to secure a professional space, invest in equipment, and create job opportunities in Cluj-Napoca.
- Evghenii, the owner of Universal Building Services SRL, used the grant to buy new equipment and create a modern website. This expansion allowed him to offer more services, reach additional clients, and hire more displaced people from Ukraine. His business contributes to their economic integration.
- Nadiia and Andrii used their grant to open a business offering traditional Ukrainian cuisine via catering and delivery services. Their business has created jobs for local residents.
Brașov
- The founder of Talina Prima Decor, Alina used the grant to buy new sewing and embroidery machines, expanding her tailoring business and increasing production capacity. She also hired additional staff, including someone displaced from Ukraine, and plans to hire more employees from both Ukraine and Romania.
- Pavel and Kateryna are the administrators of INCAM Development SRL. They used the grant to purchase essential equipment, enabling their construction company to take on larger projects. They have secured several new contracts and are employing more Ukrainian workers, contributing to the local economy.
Bucharest
- Founded by Serhii and Yuliia, Homezzi Group specialises in producing customised, high-quality furniture. The grant allowed them to increase their scale of production and reach a wider customer base. With increasing demand and a now larger workforce, Homezzi Group contributes to the local economy.
- Anna, a psychologist and psychotherapist, provides stabilisation support groups for Ukrainians. The grant has enabled Anna to hire two staff members to assist with daily tasks, strengthening her ability to support her clients. Anna’s office continues to be a vital resource for displaced people from Ukraine in Bucharest, helping them cope with the challenges of displacement.
- Liudmyla, the owner of the well-established cosmetology clinic Healthy Skin Lab that has been running for over 18 years -, was able to make remarkable improvements thanks to the grant. She had used the funding to purchase new products, expand her service offerings, and develop a new website.
IOM Romania published a series of videos demonstrating the ways in which the selected businesses were able to transform as a result of the grant.
An internal evaluation was conducted by IOM Romania to assess the programme’s impact on the businesses and on local communities. No external evaluation has yet been published.