2026 - CraftUP Ukraine - support of craft food producers of Ukraine

About the project

Implementation

Result 1: Conducting market research to assess the problems and  needs of craft producers. Survey to identify barriers to business development and legalization.

Result 2: Development and launch of tailor-made educational program (based on the outcome of the survey) . Training f.e. in business registration, financial planning, marketing and certification.

Result 3: Mentoring support. Personal consultations on market entry, certification and business strategy

Result 4: Financial support for craft producers. Co-financing of equipment, certification or marketing.

Result 5: Facilitation of the establishment of the Association of Craft Producers. 

Duration:

January - December 2026

Result 1: Market research + Expert Interviews

During January - March 2026 the project team conducted the nationwide research on legalization barriers, market access and financing. An analytical report will follow, along with an education and mentoring phase (March–July 2026). The most promising projects will receive funding for scaling, certification or market expansion.

The expert interview to AgroPortal.ua present the current state of affairs in the craft sector of Ukraine and contribute to the project research on the bottlenecks. Follow the link to read the interviews

Result 1: Presentation of the market research on craft food market of Ukraine

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 market research has been condicted to assess the problems and  needs of craft producers,  to identify barriers to business development and legalization.

The presentation was the conclusion of the Result 1 of project CraftUP Ukraine, the purpose of which is to support craft food producers at the stage of business establishment and development. The market research has been condicted to assess the problems and  needs of craft producers,  to identify barriers to business development and legalization. Read more

Project background

Initially the project Incredible Villages of Ukraine launched in 2016 by the on-line publication AgroPortal.ua was aimed at the development of green tourism in Ukraine, however very soon the high potential in the development of the entrepreneurship in rural areas was discovered. Local communities from all over Ukraine took part into competitions and a network "Incredible villages" became a trend in Ukraine. The competition of the villages resulted in more than 100 application annually. 

Since 2018 when the Embassy became the partner of competition Incredible villages in Ukraine, a number of Dutch companies in Ukraine became the partners of villages – participants, among them are suppliers of planting material, processing equipment and knowledge advisers.

In 2020 the the COVID challenged the organizers and participants of Incredible villages and the project went on-line - the platform  Incredible Craft Bag was created whether the craft producers from all over Ukraine presented their products.

With the full-scale invasion in 2022 the importance of the local production in rural areas became absolutely clear since it largely contributed to the regional food security and economic stability. Despite the turbulent times the project went mainly thanks to the villages that were full of energy to develop. 

Throughout 2025 the team of AgroPortal.ua together with the Office of the agricultural counsellor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine developed the project #CraftUP Ukraine  which will will promote the development of the local private sector, creating conditions for the legalization and scaling up of craft producers. Through educational programs and mentoring support, entrepreneurs will improve their skills in financial management, marketing, and production standardization, which will allow them to work more efficiently and integrate into global business chains.

Read more about project in Ukrainain

В Україні стартує проєкт підтримки крафтових виробників харчових продуктів. Як долучитися? — AgroPortal.ua

 Грант для крафтових виробників харчових продуктів on the Diia Business Platform

CraftUP Ukraine: результати дослідження крафтового ринку харчових продуктів — AgroPortal.ua

CraftUP Ukraine: результати дослідження крафтового ринку харчових продуктів — AgroPortal.ua