Support for Ukrainian Companies to Join the EU Single Market
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Business Bridge — Ukraine-Ready4EU Project Offers Financial Assistance and Guidance
In a bid to foster stronger ties between Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the European Union (EU) Single Market, the Ukraine-Ready4EU project has launched the Business Bridge initiative. This project, funded by the European Union under the “Business Bridge” Call SMP-COSME-2023-SMEUA, aims to provide financial support and advisory services to up to 1500 Ukrainian SMEs seeking to expand their activities within the EU market and establish fruitful partnerships with EU businesses.
Commencing on April 2, 2024, the Business Bridge — Ukraine-Ready4EU project offers funding for five distinct types of activities:
Active participation in business meetings at official events, trade fairs, company missions, or brokerage events in the EU.
External support to comply with the requirements of a sustainable, digital, and resilient EU economy.
Examinations and certifications of products necessary for access to the EU Single Market.
External assistance in meeting customs or other formal export/import requirements for the EU Single Market.
Support for patenting and licensing activities tailored for the EU Single Market.
It's important to note that applicants must adhere to specific eligibility criteria, including being a Ukrainian company located and operating within Ukrainian territories under effective control, or relocated to EU countries while still registered in Ukraine. Additionally, due to the ongoing conflict, SMEs must demonstrate negative impacts on their business activities.
The applicants must fulfil evaluation and selection criteria for a successful selection. This includes showing motivation and ambition to participate in the Single Market, demonstrating readiness to export, presenting a clear and feasible action plan aligned with their business profile, demonstrating the ability to execute the proposed activities, and outlining the potential economic impact and probability of success. Interested Ukrainian SMEs are encouraged to refer to the detailed guidelines provided in the “Call for Applications 2024-2” for information on eligible activities and expenses.
The Call for Applications is open and will close on June 30, 2025, or upon reaching the maximum number of financial supports, or exhausting available funds, whichever comes first.
Through initiatives like Business Bridge — Ukraine-Ready4EU, the European Union continues to underscore its commitment to supporting the integration of Ukrainian businesses into the Single Market, fostering economic growth, and promoting mutual prosperity.
As Business Bridge facilitates Ukrainian SMEs' entry into the EU single market, its inception aligns with two significant decisions by the European Council: the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine on December 14, 2023, and the political agreement on February 1, 2024, to provide financial assistance to Ukraine through the €50 billion Ukraine Facility.
For more information and to apply, interested parties can visit the official website of Business Bridge — Ukraine-Ready4EU.
See also the article published by the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, (2024, March 21), €3.75 million to support Ukrainian SMEs affected by war: 'Business Bridge' project open.