500 Ukrainian businesses to receive support for a quick start on Etsy
UA Global: Etsy Start, which will help entrepreneurs launch or increase sales on the Etsy marketplace for handmade goods.
As part of the "UA Global: Etsy Start, 500 Ukrainian entrepreneurs will be selected on a competitive basis and will receive training on how to create an online store on Etsy, as well as mentoring support on sales development and promotion of goods on the marketplace. In addition, the project participants will receive $1,000 scholarships from the USAID Competitive Economy of Ukraine Program, $100 certificates from Etsy to promote their products on the platform, and promotional codes from Ukrposhta for logistics services totaling $10,000 to be distributed among the participants, as well as mentoring support on logistics and customs issues.
The initiative "UA Global: Etsy Start" initiative is implemented by the USAID Competitive Economy Program in cooperation with the NGO TECHBUREAU, in partnership with Ukrposhta and the Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development, with the support of Etsy. The project is aimed at supporting microbusinesses to facilitate their accelerated growth into small and medium-sized businesses. It covers both entrepreneurs who have no experience with exporting and those who have already started their export journey and are looking to grow by opening an Etsy shop.
"Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises ensure the sustainability of the Ukrainian economy, creating two-thirds of added value and 80% of jobs. One of the Government's goals is to support businesses in entering new markets. This is also one of the goals of the SME development strategy for 2024-2027 approved by the Government. Its implementation is expected to increase the number of exporters to more than 35,000, and the volume of exports will reach EUR 60 billion, of which EUR 35 billion will be to the EU. In addition, the strategy envisages working with platforms such as Etsy. Therefore, the opportunity for Ukrainian businesses to become part of this platform supports not only these specific businesses, but the country's economy as a whole. I am grateful to USAID for its leadership in this issue and contribution to export development. This is a good example for our other partners to build a sustainable partnership for the development of small and medium-sized businesses," said Yulia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Economy of Ukraine.
"Since the launch of the first project, Etsy Payments, in October 2023, more than 14,000 Ukrainian sellers have joined the marketplace. Before that, Ukrainian entrepreneurs did not have the opportunity to open stores on Etsy. We aim to increase the presence of Ukrainian products on the platform and open up opportunities for Ukrainian manufacturers to enter new markets. This is the second project we are implementing together with our partners. In the past, we have supported 100 Ukrainian producers through the Made in UA project, of which almost half are represented on Etsy. This allowed businesses to generate sales of more than $5 million and create more than a hundred jobs," said Olesya Zaluska, USAID Competitive Economy Program Chief of Party.
The presentation of the initiative "UA Global: Etsy Start" initiative will be held online at 10:00 a.m. on September 20, 2024. Interested participants can learn more about the project by joining the event via the link. Entrepreneurs can also send their questions about the application procedure to support@uaglbl.org.
To participate in the competition, you must fill out the application form by October 1, 2024. The selected companies will be announced on October 8, 2024.
"At Etsy, we are committed to empowering creative entrepreneurs around the world, and we are honored to be a part of the Ukraine Global Etsy Start initiative with USAID. This program comes at an extremely important time for Ukraine, and we are excited to support 500 Ukrainian sellers who are starting or expanding their online businesses," said James Ossman, General Manager of International Operations and Vice President of Marketplace Initiatives at Etsy. "Ukrainian sellers have long been an integral part of the dynamic Etsy marketplace, sharing their exceptional craftsmanship with the world. We believe that with the right tools, support and access to global markets, these talented makers can continue to contribute to the resilience of Ukraine's economy and entrepreneurial spirit."