CraftUP Ukraine: presentation of the first result of the project

CraftUP Ukraine: craft food market research presented in Kyiv

On March 19, in Kyiv, the online publication AgroPortal.ua, together with the company Pro-Consulting and with the support of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, presented the results of market research of craft food products in Ukraine.

The presentation was the conclusion of the first result of the educational and grant project CraftUP Ukraine, the purpose of which is to support craft food producers at the stage of business establishment and development.

The event was attended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine Alle Dorhout, the Agricultural Counsellor of the Embassy Carolien Spaans.

The expert team joined active discussion of the research results: Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Denys Bashlyk, Deputy Director of the Department of Rural Development of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Mykola Moroz, Director of the State Enterprise "Office for the Development of Entrepreneurship and Exports" Andriy Talama, Head of the project "German-Ukrainian Agropolitical Dialogue" Olga Trofimtseva, as well as representatives of state institutions, specialized associations, market experts and media.

AgroPortal.ua Team

The launch of CraftUp Ukraine was preceded by the All-Ukrainian competition “Incredible Villages of Ukraine”, which AgroPortal.ua implemented in 2016–2022. Working directly in communities, the team of AgroPortal.ua got to know local businesses and their produce. This practical experience showed the potential of craft production as the basis for the economic development of communities, but at the same time revealed the barriers that hinder this development.

Together with the Office of the Agricultural Counsellor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine, in December 2022, an online platform to support craft producers “Incredible Craft Bag” was launched. Now it’s time to scale it. That’s why we’ve developed a new project that will help understand the needs of producers, provide them with the necessary knowledge and support for further growth.

During the event the participants were introduced to the results of a study that outlines key barriers faced by small producers, including the difficulty of legalizing their businesses, limited access to financing and markets. The discussion focused on the further development of the sector and approaches to shaping an educational program and mentoring support for the next phase of the project.

AgroPortal.ua Team

"We received over 400 applications from craft food producers. This indicates a high demand for support — both educational and financial — among small producers in the stage of their establishment. Although the project cannot support each producer individually, the results will be beneficial for the whole sector."

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.

CraftUP Ukraine is an educational grant project for craft producers, implemented by AgroPortal.ua with the support of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands within 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 key needs of producers (partner — Pro-Consulting), implementing an educational program with mentoring support for participants, and financing the most promising business ideas (total budget — €20 thousand).

Source: CraftUP Ukraine: у Києві презентували дослідження крафтового ринку — AgroPortal.ua