The international humanitarian organisation Mercy Corps is implementing the BLOOM programme (Building Livelihoods and Opportunities for Optimised Markets), which aims to support self-employed individuals and micro-businesses affected by the war.
The programme aims to help people restart or grow their businesses and reduce households’ dependence on humanitarian aid. Particular attention is paid to vulnerable groups: people with disabilities, veterans and their families, unemployed people over 50, low-income households, women who are single parents or carers for elderly people, and members of marginalised communities.
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Participants can be internally displaced persons and local residents registered in government-controlled areas of Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia regions. The programme does not cover areas where active hostilities are taking place or where there is an increased risk to life.
Financial assistance is provided in hryvnia equivalent from 1,000 to 5,000 US dollars at the NBU exchange rate. The funds can be used to purchase equipment, tools or other necessary resources to start or run a business.
Participants are selected on a competitive basis. The assessment criteria include the justification of the need for funding, the feasibility of the business idea, its compliance with the programme’s objectives, the applicant’s experience and their ability to implement the idea. To participate, you must pre-register on the programme’s website.
The initiative is implemented by Mercy Corps partners — Caritas Ukraine International Charitable Foundation, NGO “Centre for Employment of Free People”, NGO “ALLIANCE.GLOBAL” and NGO “TENTH OF APRIL”. The BLOOM programme is funded by the UK government through UK Aid and implemented by the BLOOM consortium, which includes Mercy Corps, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Swisscontact and Right to Protection (R2P).
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