New perspectives for internally displaced people in Ukraine

The war is hitting the economy hard. Ukrainian companies – especially small and medium-sized ones – have suffered enormous losses. However, despite the most difficult of circumstances, some have not only managed to keep their businesses running, but have even managed to expand them. This requires a particular ability to adapt.

Oleksandr from Mykolaiv knows from experience how important it is to adapt to ever-changing situations. For almost 20 years, he manufactured decorative panels in his company – until 2022. That was when his hometown of Mykolaiv came under fire. How could he possibly continue to run his business under constant bombardment? He saw no other option than to leave the city.

Oleksandr and his family settled in Lviv Oblast, in western Ukraine. The region was attacked less frequently. The craftsman decided to set up a new production plant there. He looked for premises, rented them, transported the material and started looking for staff. «But,» he recalls, «at first I had no money to pay employees. So I started working the machines myself.»

Oleksandr found out that entrepreneurs like him who had to relocate their production site because of the war could apply to Caritas in Lviv for funding. He received financial support through the ELIS project (a REMARKET precursor project). This enabled him to hire five people and get back on his feet economically. Oleksander did not lose heart in the face of this overwhelming situation. With the help of Caritas, he was able to provide not only himself and his family with a secure income, but also his new employees.

When he founded his own company in Mariupol in 2007, Volodymyr was barely 20 years old. His love for coffee had been kindled long before, but the young Ukrainian could not have imagined at the time that it would one day lead to the creation of a coffee house chain.

His passion for the brown bean was strong and encouraged him to take his first brave steps as an entrepreneur: «I used my savings to buy a simple coffee machine and completed my barista training with great curiosity», says Volodymyr. His start in self-employment was not easy though. But thanks to more than ten years of hard work and meticulous planning, a larger and larger company gradually emerged. «Shortly before the invasion, I run a whole coffee house chain in Mariupol», he says proudly and whistfully.

Then came 2022, the year that changed everything for Volodymyr and his family. From one day to the next, they were forced to give up everything, along with millions of other people in Ukraine. The family fled Mariupol and escaped from the war zone to Dnipro, where they found a new home.

A few months ago, Volodymyr finally decided to re-establish his business in Dnipro. Together with his wife, he wants to build on the success in Mariupol and rebuild the coffee house chain here as well. As an employer, he is already cooperating with Caritas Donetsk in Dnipro and is looking forward to further developing the good working relationship.

Baking cakes is in Oksana's blood. Her mother was a pastry chef and they loved being in the bakery together. Later, Oksana offered baking classes for children in need through Caritas in Kolomyja. «The girls and boys learned how to make cakes and at the same time I was able to support them with their problems,» explains Oksana.

During her work with Caritas, she found out about the ELIS project (a precursor to REMARKET). Thanks to this project, she received financial support and was able to hire four people. It was the beginning of her own small business. «When you're not working alone but can rely on a team, everything becomes easier,» says the satisfied entrepreneur.

But her collaboration with Caritas didn't stop there. She applied for another loan, which the brave entrepreneur used to rent and renovate premises, expand her product range and employ more people. Everyone in her village knows the baker and her small company. In the midst of war, she provides her employees with a secure income and gives them and their families hope.