Starting a Business: How IDPs and War Victims Launch Enterprises Amidst the Full-Scale Invasion.

Entrepreneurship has always been a path to self-sufficiency, and today, amid military aggression, it has become one of the key ways to restore financial stability for millions of Ukrainians who have lost everything.

For many internally displaced persons and those affected by the war, starting their own business is not just a way to earn a living but also an opportunity to adapt to new life realities. In challenging circumstances, they find the strength to turn hobbies into businesses and dreams into reality. By their example, they show that even during wartime, it is possible to create something of one’s own, grow, improve financial conditions, enhance the world around them, and develop their communities.

RBK-Ukraine, in a special project with the Charitable Foundation "Right to Protection", has gathered stories of those who, with the help of new knowledge, were able to attract funding to implement their business ideas. How they succeeded, what programs contributed to their success, and what lies behind their stories — read below in the article.

The story of Elena from Kherson region, owner of a goat eco-farm

Elena and Valentin Belozorenko started their own business in 2017 by founding the eco-farm "Lyman Goat" in the Kherson region. Since 2019, they have expanded their activities to include a tourism direction in the format of "green tourism" — conducting farm tours, organizing cheese tastings, and hosting guests.

In the early days of the full-scale invasion, the village of Stanislav, where the farm was located, fell under occupation. Elena was most concerned about the animals, ensuring they were not harmed by the Russians. Explosions in the region were frequent. Despite the danger, the family remained in occupation for 8.5 months, caring for the goats and helping local residents with food supplies.

"Only three families were left on our street, so we all united and exchanged products: some had eggs, we had milk and cheese, and a neighbor baked buns. That’s how we survived", — Elena recounts.

After the region was liberated, shelling did not cease, and one attack seriously damaged the farm building, injuring a worker. This prompted Elena to make the decision to relocate.

With the support of local authorities and volunteers, the farm was successfully moved to the Kyiv region. The relocation process was complicated and dangerous: Russian shelling forced Elena to transport the animals personally, risking her own life.

By November 2023, the farm was fully relocated. Elena also successfully completed the training program “Right to Business: From Idea to Profit” in Kyiv and received a grant of $3000 for the development of her business.

"We needed support to restore the tourism business. By applying to participate in the course from the Charity Foundation “Right to Protection”, I gained incredible experience. The online and offline training sessions were very informative, and the trainers’ assistance helped clarify even complicated financial aspects. The defense of the business idea took place in a great atmosphere, and I gained invaluable experience", — shares Elena.

Today, Elena raises Anglo-Nubian, Alpine, and Saanen breed goats, processes milk, and produces 14 types of cheese. With the grant funds, she purchased the necessary equipment, including a milking machine and a garden pavilion, which allowed her to open the tourist season at the new location.

The Charity Foundation "Right to Protection" notes that Elena's story is an example of spirit and persistence that inspires others.

"We strive to support both internally displaced Ukrainians in their places of relocation and people living in de-occupied communities or communities under attack from Russia. For example, we have a case where a new business was opened almost in a frontline town in Sumy region. It was a tire repair shop. There were no similar services left in the city, and people had to travel to Sumy for tire repairs, which was very difficult. This story once again proved: it is possible to find a way to open a new business even in such challenging conditions", — emphasizes Valeria Sekisova, head of the program "Economic Inclusion of Internally Displaced Persons and War-Affected Populations" at the Charity Foundation "Right to Protection".

The story of Elena from Kharkiv, owner of a tattoo studio

Elena Vovk has been working as an artistic tattoo master since 2018. Before the full-scale invasion, she had a small studio in Kharkiv. However, the war changed everything — the premises were destroyed, and Elena was left without a permanent workplace.

In 2023, she decided she wanted to open her own studio. However, she lacked both the necessary funds and business experience. The solution was to take the offline course "Right to Business".

Thanks to the knowledge gained from the course and a grant, she was able to purchase equipment for three workstations. According to her, she had never dealt with grants before but decided to give it a try. The "Right to Business" course provided the essential knowledge base.

"At the same time, I joined a joint project with the charitable foundation "Kharkiv with You", which helps war veterans and families of fallen defenders integrate into civilian life through the acquisition of new professions. This is how the idea to involve the participants of this program in working at the studio arose. Currently, three such masters work with us. Guys with lower limb amputations can also easily master this profession if they have the desire to develop in this direction. There are no obstacles. At the same time, it’s a great opportunity for earning, socialization, art therapy, and psychological adaptation", — Elena explains.

Now, Elena’s studio has six workstations. In addition to tattoo masters, the team includes a permanent makeup specialist and a piercing master.

One of the main challenges for businesses in Kharkiv remains rolling blackouts and constant rocket threats. But Elena believes in development.

"It is necessary to invest in business and move forward because without action, nothing will change. We are developing step by step. Right now, I am undergoing training from the Ukrainian Veteran's Fund on the reintegration of veterans and support for families of the deceased and missing", — says the studio owner.

Elena is also convinced that educational programs are beneficial for any business: "It’s a great opportunity to understand your business, look at it from the outside, find new development paths, and attract additional funding".

The Charity Foundation "Right to Protection" believes that Elena’s story is an example of how, with new knowledge, even in such difficult wartime conditions, it is possible to find resources for new beginnings, create jobs, and support those in need.

"Many people do not believe in their abilities due to a lack of knowledge. We are working on this, teaching how to properly calculate a financial model, write a business plan, and understand the basic principles of entrepreneurship. Both online and offline courses are designed so that people can immediately apply the knowledge gained in practice. This is critically important. However, our courses are just the foundation. Development needs to be continuous — through practice, consultations with experts, and participation in business associations", — explains Elena Shilobrid, deputy head of the program "Economic Inclusion of Internally Displaced Persons and War-Affected Populations" at the Charity Foundation "Right to Protection".

The story of Natalia from Odessa, co-founder of an inclusive workshop

Seven years ago, in Odessa, four women, mothers of children with autism, united their efforts to create a space for the development, education, and communication of their children.

One of them was Natalia Shramko, who took on the role of leader in this project. The initiative, which began as a small joint project, eventually grew into a large-scale inclusive workshop "Important for Everyone", supporting both children and adults with various learning and adaptation needs.

"In such inclusive workshops, both children and adults with mental disabilities have the opportunity to find friends, communicate, unleash their creative potential, undergo pre-professional training, and build their professional future", — shares Natalia.

With the onset of the war, the workshop team faced new challenges; however, work was able to resume just a month after the start of the full-scale invasion.

For the development of the workshop, Natalia actively participated in various educational programs, and the "Right to Business" course also proved to be very useful: thanks to the knowledge gained, she was able to obtain an international grant of 1,700,000 hryvnias.

These funds opened new opportunities for expansion: new premises were equipped, modern equipment was purchased, and additional jobs were created for people with disabilities.

"Thanks to the training, I learned to take into account the volume of work, calculate taxes, and gained an understanding of my business model and