REDpreneurUA: Workshop on Financial and Marketing Tools for Social Entrepreneurship
On 20 and 21 November 2024, Kyiv hosted the kick-off workshop of the REDpreneurUA programme: Building the resilience of people affected by war through the development of business skills necessary for launching and growing social enterprises.
Anna-Maria Steiner, Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Ukraine, opened the event. Olesia Sasina and Julia Eichhofer, managers of the REDpreneur Programme at the Austrian Red Cross, also addressed the attendees.
The event, titled “Social Entrepreneurship at the Level of Ukrainian Red Cross Branches: Financial and Marketing Tools,” brought together 15 teams of the Ukrainian Red Cross from 10 regions of Ukraine and Kyiv.
Over the course of two days, participants enhanced their knowledge of social entrepreneurship by working on value propositions, developing business models, and learning about the financial and legal aspects of their activities.
Special attention was given to practical sessions, which allowed participants to immediately apply new knowledge to their projects. The case of Lady Di Atelier inspired the teams by demonstrating how social entrepreneurship can support people in challenging life circumstances.
Each team presented their business ideas, including:
- Social Laundry – Providing access to basic services for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable groups.
- Innovative Space for Psychosocial Support – Offering inclusive services to improve the well-being of children and parents.
- Charity Clothing Shop – Providing affordable clothing to low-income groups.
- Genius Kids Club – An educational space for the development of children in communities.
- Hygiene Centre – Hygiene services for IDPs.
It is important to acknowledge the work of the mentors who met with the teams during the final session of the workshop. Their role is to provide ongoing support to the teams and help them overcome regulatory, financial, and operational challenges. For example, Yulia Kirsanova, an expert on financial and legal issues, provided practical advice on the legislative regulation of business activities. Oleh Duma, a marketing specialist, will assist the teams in developing communication strategies. Mentors such as Olena Vorona, Kateryna Uvarova, Olesia Marchuk, and others will help adapt business models to regional needs.
The second day of the workshop focused on the legal and financial aspects critical for the successful implementation of social enterprises. Participants received guidance on the taxation of non-profit organisations, accounting practices, and strategic planning.
The workshop was a significant step towards the practical implementation of the initiatives. Each team developed a roadmap for the growth of their project, which they will begin implementing this year.
This event marked a powerful start for the REDpreneurUA programme, which aims to create sustainable social enterprises capable of supporting communities even in times of crisis. The programme’s innovative approach combines humanitarian assistance and social entrepreneurship, illustrating how long-term support can be provided to the most vulnerable populations.
“This workshop has opened up new opportunities for us. We now have a better understanding of how to effectively organise the work of a social enterprise to ensure it both helps people and remains sustainable,” shared Viktoriia Yakymenko from Kharkiv.
The REDpreneurUA programme has already begun signing grant agreements with the teams. The next steps will involve launching the enterprises, monitoring their activities, and developing a sustainable model for social entrepreneurship.
This initiative demonstrates how an innovative approach to humanitarian assistance can strengthen community resilience and create long-term solutions to support vulnerable populations.
