The prerequisite for the launch of CraftUp Ukraine was the All-Ukrainian competition "Incredible Villages of Ukraine", which AgroPortal.ua implemented in 2016-2022. Working directly in the communities, the publication's team got to know local producers and their products. This practical experience showed the potential of craft production as a basis for economic development of communities, but also revealed barriers that hinder this development. Together with the Office of the Agricultural Counselor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine, an online support platform for craft producers "Incredible Craft Bag" was launched in December 2022. Now it's time to scale it up. That's why we have developed a new project that will help us understand the needs of producers, provide them with the necessary knowledge and support for further growth."
CraftUP Ukraine: a study of the craft market was presented in Kyiv
On March 19, in Kyiv, the online edition AgroPortal.ua together with Pro-Consulting and with the support of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands presented a study of the market of craft food producers.
The presentation was the first stage of the educational and grant project CraftUP Ukraine, which aims to support craft food producers at the stage of business formation and development.
The event was attended by Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine Alle Dorhout and Agricultural Counselor Caroline Spaans, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Denys Bashlyk, Deputy Director of the Department of Rural Development - Head of the Department of the Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Mykola Moroz, Director of the State Institution "Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development" Andriy Talama, and Project Manager of the German-Ukrainian Agricultural Policy Dialogue Olga Trofimtseva,
During the presentation, the participants got acquainted with the results of the study, which outlines the key barriers faced by small producers, including the difficulty of legalizing their business, limited access to finance and markets. The discussion focused on further development of the sector and approaches to developing an educational program and mentoring support for the next phase of the project.
We received over 400 applications from craft food producers. This indicates a high demand for support - both educational and financial - among small producers at the stage of formation. The program cannot cover everyone, so the selected participants will be informed individually.
In addition to the presentation, the agricultural community had the opportunity to try the products of craft producers presented on the "Incredible Craft Bag" platform.
For reference: CraftUP Ukraine is an educational and grant project for craft producers implemented by AgroPortal.ua with the support of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as part of the Private Sector Development program. The project is aimed at supporting small producers who ensure economic stability and sustainable development of rural areas.
CraftUP Ukraine involves three stages: conducting market research and identifying the key needs of producers (partner - Pro-Consulting), implementing an educational program with mentoring support for participants, as well as financing the most promising business ideas (total budget - €20 thousand).
