AGCO Foundation went into a new partnership with Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation (Helvetas) to support entrepreneurship in Ukraine. Particular focus is put on the agricultural and food processing sectors and local economic recovery.
Through this partnership, AGCO Foundation will support the Ukraine Economic Resilience Program (ERP), a Swiss funded initiative implemented by Helvetas as part of a broader consortium. Within the program, Helvetas brings expertise in empowering small and medium-sized agricultural and food processing businesses operating under challenging conditions.
Ukraine’s agricultural sector remains a vital pillar of the national economy and global food systems but has suffered significant losses and economic disruption in recent years. The collaboration aims to help agricultural entrepreneurs restore and adapt their operations, respond to evolving market conditions and contribute to local economic recovery.
“We continue to support long-term agricultural and economic development through targeted actions on enterprise development, as well as building workforce skills and institutional capacity,” said Roger Batkin, Board Chair of AGCO Foundation.
The program will be implemented in the Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Odesa and Vinnytsia regions and provide support for vulnerable groups and communities, including internally displaced people, war veterans, women and persons with disabilities.
“This program contributes to more dynamic, resilient and competitive local economies by linking enterprise development with skills and market-relevant training. It moves beyond short-term support towards sustainable economic recovery that can be carried forward by local actors,” said Thomas Mauget, Helvetas Humanitarian Response Coordinator.
As part of the broader ERP initiative, AGCO Foundation funding will enable Helvetas to implement activities including:
- Providing 20 microgrants to help businesses launch or scale, sustaining jobs in challenging conditions.
- Upskilling 95 individuals through targeted reskilling program to unlock employment opportunities.
- Strengthening two vocational institutions to enhance delivery of market-relevant agricultural training.
The partnership is expected to contribute to more resilient and competitive local economies and support the development of agriculture.
Learn more about the ERP initiative here.
