Ukrainian Entrepreneurs Receive Over UAH 144 Million in Energy Aid Within First Four Days

Launch of the 'Energy Support for Sole Proprietors' Program

According to ХВИЛЯ: A new government initiative, the 'Energy Support for Sole Proprietors' program, commenced in early February. This program is a direct response to the ongoing energy challenges faced by small businesses. In just its first four days of operation, the state disbursed more than 144 million hryvnias to support self-employed entrepreneurs. Since its launch via the Diia portal, 14.4 thousand applications have been approved, demonstrating substantial interest from the business community.

Program Scope and Entrepreneurial Engagement

The most active applicants were from the 2nd group of sole proprietors, who submitted over 12.2 thousand requests. The aid amount available to eligible entrepreneurs ranges from 7,500 to 15,000 hryvnias. The program is scheduled to run until the end of March 2026, providing many business owners with the opportunity to plan for their long-term energy needs.

Leading sectors among the applicants include:

• Food service and catering;
• Grocery retail;
• Consumer services and repair centers;
• Private healthcare and pharmacies;
• Logistics and freight transportation.

The main eligibility criteria for candidates are:

• Being registered under the 2nd or 3rd group of the simplified tax system;
• Having a business registered no later than December 1, 2025;
• Employing at least one hired worker;
• Having no outstanding debts on the unified social contribution.

Funds received through the program can be used to purchase equipment for autonomous operation-such as generators, batteries, inverters, solar panels, and energy storage systems-as well as to pay for electricity supply services and the installation of energy equipment. To date, 362 applications have been submitted for purchasing high-capacity installations, totaling nearly 414 million hryvnias. The first 'energy loan' of 1.15 million hryvnias has already been issued. Verification and notification of fund allocation are provided within 10 days.

The launch of the 'Energy Support for Sole Proprietors' program highlights the government's efforts to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises during the ongoing energy crisis.

By ensuring business continuity, particularly in critical sectors like food service and retail, the program offers vital financial assistance to help entrepreneurs adapt to new energy realities. This initiative also underscores the government's growing role in fostering energy independence within the private sector.