On July 2, the final event of the EU4Business: SME Policies and Institutions Support (SMEPIS) project took place. The project aimed to simplify doing business, digitise public services, strengthen the capacity of business support organizations, and assist Ukraine on its path to EU integration.
“Supporting businesses and engaging them in Ukraine’s recovery is our shared priority. SMEPIS has been a driver of digitalisation and reforms that have already delivered tangible benefits to businesses. We support tools that simplify public service delivery, such as e-Permit, PULSE, and Diia.Business. Educational programs help Ukrainian entrepreneurs integrate into the EU single market. Together, we work towards sustainable development, modern digital infrastructure, and Ukraine’s European integration,” summarized Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of the Public Finance, Business Support and Social Policies Section at the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
Over the past three years, the SMEPIS team has been working on key reforms to make Ukraine’s economy more competitive and aligned with EU standards.
One of the project’s central initiatives was deregulation reform. Since early 2023, the Interdepartmental Working Group for the Accelerated Review of State Regulatory Instruments for Business has been operational, with active involvement from SMEPIS experts. So far:
- Over 70 interdepartmental and expert meetings have been held;
- 1,323 regulatory instruments have been reviewed — the largest audit of its kind in Ukraine’s history;
- Over 300 outdated regulatory instruments have already been abolished.
According to SMEPIS experts, the reform will impact over 1.3 million enterprises and save businesses more than UAH 18.6 billion annually.
Another major focus was the digitalisation of services for entrepreneurs. Key achievements include:
- Modernisation of the national Diia.Business portal, now offering personal accounts, smart chats, and educational modules. The updated platform has already served over 1.23 million users, with a total audience of over 14.5 million people.
- Strengthening of ePermit – Unified State Digital System of Permit Documents by expanding functionality, ensuring integration with the national open data platform data.gov.ua, and increasing transparency and accessibility of permit-related information
- Development of the Regulatory Portal, a single platform for all regulatory procedures, ensuring user-friendly access, transparency, and participatory engagement for businesses and citizens.
- Launch of the Deregulation Portal and dashboard — public tools to monitor deregulation progress.
“Thanks to SMEPIS, we gained practical tools, analytics, and expert support that became the foundation for entrepreneurship reforms, digital transformation, and European integration. Special thanks to the project experts for their assistance during EU negotiations on industrial policy and freedom of services. I am confident these efforts provide a solid foundation for the future growth of SMEs and Ukraine’s economic integration into the EU,” said Tetiana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine.
The project also included workshops and training to strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian civil servants and businesses for EU integration and entry into the single European market:
- Over 800 public officials trained on EU legislation and standards;
- 10 business associations established direct contacts with European partners through strategic meetings in Brussels;
- Nearly 1,000 consultations provided to Ukrainian businesses on accessing the EU market, with over 300 market research studies conducted;
- Ukrainian companies participated in 23 international trade missions and exhibitions under the project.
Additionally, SMEPIS experts promoted the annual European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA) by designing the national stage of the UEPA competition and increasing its visibility among Ukrainian entrepreneurs:
- In 2023 — 8 applications, 3 winners, 2 EEPA nominations;
- In 2024 — 120 applications, 7 winners, special recognition for Greencubator;
- In 2025 — 81 applications, results to be announced in July.
The EU4Business: SMEPIS project has been a significant step toward modernising Ukraine’s economy, creating a favorable environment for entrepreneurs, and aligning with EU standards. Joint efforts by the project team, Ukrainian authorities, businesses, and international partners have laid the groundwork for deregulation, digital transformation, and strengthened economic integration with the EU. The project’s results and tools are already benefiting businesses and the state, and its developments will continue through future initiatives aimed at sustainable growth and Ukraine’s economic resilience.
Presentation of SMEPIS key results is available here.
EU4Business project: SME Policies and Institutions Support (SMEPIS) project is implemented by Ecorys in consortium with GIZ, BRDO and Civitta and funded by the European Union in Ukraine.