European business support instruments: development programs, partnership platforms and institutional support

Abstract

The EU offers Ukrainian business a wide range of opportunities (development grants, participation in innovation support programs, consulting assistance, involvement in educational and networking initiatives, etc.). In parallel, institutional cooperation should develop: business should unite with local authorities, chambers of commerce, specialized associations and European funds to implement larger-scale initiatives, in particular at the regional level.

The aim of the article is to systematize the opportunities offered by the EU for the development of Ukrainian business, determine the features of the main support instruments, practices of innovative integration into the European market, as well as form institutional support for the transformation of the business environment in order to use the opportunities of the EU.

The volume of support for Ukrainian business under the main EU programs in 2022-2025 is summarized. It is determined that the business support instruments from the EU cover a wide range of areas, providing comprehensive institutional and financial assistance to entrepreneurs.

The review of programs and instruments shows that modern integration processes between Ukraine and the EU open up wide opportunities for domestic business in the areas of financing, digitalization, innovation, export and regional development. It is substantiated that the full implementation of these opportunities requires effective institutional support, covering both state authorities and non-state structures, international programs, financial organizations and partner networks. The level of use of EU opportunities by Ukrainian business is determined and the main barriers to these processes are indicated.

The main EU instruments for business support are highlighted and the barriers to the participation of Ukrainian entrepreneurs, the potential benefits of involvement in programs, recommended actions to overcome challenges and key responsible entities are detailed. The case of the European Enterprise Network (EEN) tool is considered, the target groups of its users are identified and a set of relevant institutions is proposed to ensure the effective use of EEN opportunities.