At the end of January, a monitoring visit was conducted under the REDpreneurUA programme to social enterprises developed by Ukrainian Red Cross branches
The Ukrainian Red Cross branches have already completed training and mentoring support and have received grant funding to establish and develop social enterprises. These initiatives are currently at different stages — from preparation and launch to growth and day-to-day operations. Some of the social enterprises have already begun operating and are providing services. Through social entrepreneurship, branches become more financially sustainable and are able to support significantly more people from vulnerable groups who need assistance the most.
During the monitoring visit, the programme team assessed the progress of social enterprises at various stages of development, reviewed premises, equipment and other material resources purchased with grant funding, and identified the additional support required by branches to ensure stable operations and further development of the initiatives.
As part of the visit, the team visited social enterprises developed by local and district Ukrainian Red Cross branches in different regions of the country. In particular, the programme team visited and learned about a rehabilitation equipment rental service run by the Ternopil local branch; a social laundry operated by the Kamianets-Podilskyi local branch; a co-working space established by the Khmelnytskyi regional branch; the “Khmilnychanochka” social atelier of the Khmilnyk district branch; the InvaTaxi service of the Rivne regional branch; the “RELIFE” massage therapy room of the Holosiivskyi district branch of the Ukrainian Red Cross in Kyiv; as well as the “Warm Paws” social enterprise producing textile products for animals, run by the Cherkasy regional branch.
A representative of the Austrian Red Cross also joined the visit, offering international support and sharing expertise to strengthen social entrepreneurship initiatives.
Monitoring visits are a key component of the REDpreneurUA programme, as they not only enable effective tracking of the use of grant funds, but also strengthen Ukrainian Red Cross branches in developing sustainable social initiatives with a long-term positive impact on communities.
