Estonian Refugee Council, in cooperation with the Baltic Innovation Agency, invites Ukrainian refugees with previous business experience to participate in the Boost business development programme. The programme is conducted in Russian in Tartu and Jõhvi and includes, in addition to workshops, study tours and cultural events.

"The people who came to Estonia from Ukraine have different backgrounds and knowledge, there are skilled workers, but also entrepreneurs who were forced to end their established business activities in their homeland. However, the knowledge is still there, and in the business development program we want to give them the opportunity to continue their activities in Estonia, so that they can create value both for themselves and for the whole society," said Grete Karelsohn, a specialist in the coping programme of the Estonian Refugee Council.

Business ideas submitted by up to 30 individuals or teams are selected for the programme. At the end of the programme, three teams selected by an expert jury will be supported with 1,000 euros. All Ukrainian refugees living in Estonia who have already started or decided to continue doing business can participate in the programme.

The business development programme lasts a total of four months and consists of eight training sessions and study visits, which provide knowledge about business development in Estonia, marketing, management, digitalization, and support the growth of companies. In addition, program participants receive support from mentors.

The online briefing will take place on August 22. The application deadline for the program is August 29. Registration on the ERC's entrepreneurship programme platform: https://entrepreneur.pagulasabi.ee/estonia/developing-ua-businesses-2023 

The programme is co-financed by the European Union in the amount of €103,899.87.