Rebuild 3 in Poltava region: free education and grant programme for micro and small businesses with equipment worth up to EUR 4,000

Rebuild 3: Recovery for the Future is an educational and grant support initiative designed for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises operating or launching in Poltava region. The programme is implemented by the Diia.Business entrepreneur support centre in Poltava in partnership with ASB Ukraine, backed by financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German humanitarian coalition Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH).

The total programme fund is EUR 80,000, aimed at equipping selected participants with critical business assets. Following an intensive three-month training cycle and a competitive pitching session, 20 finalists will receive procurement support for equipment or goods valued at up to EUR 4,000 net. The deadline for submitting online registration applications is 30 October 2026.

What is funded

The programme directly funds in-kind support rather than disbursing cash grants. For the top 20 finalists determined during the final pitching session, organizers will procure necessary equipment or commercial goods worth up to EUR 4,000 after taxation. These assets must be utilized to launch a new enterprise, restore interrupted operations, or scale an active business venture.

In addition to physical equipment, the initiative covers comprehensive business education across four structured modules, individual expert mentoring, and targeted psychological support sessions. An intensive educational track is also arranged for applicants who do not qualify for the core cohort, alongside planned networking events such as a business fair.

The overall educational tracks cover operational setup, financial modeling, unit economics, digital workflow automation including CRM and Telegram bots, cybersecurity, crisis management strategies, and team leadership.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants include aspiring entrepreneurs with a clear intent to launch a business, active owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises, as well as individuals restoring operations after forced suspension or relocation. Entrepreneurs currently transforming their existing business models in Poltava region are also encouraged to participate.

The selection process admits 190 participants distributed into two primary categories: ‘Beginner in Business’ and ‘Experienced Entrepreneur’. Applicants must reside or conduct their entrepreneurial activities within Poltava region.

Priority during evaluation is granted to specific vulnerable groups, who receive additional evaluation points. These include female entrepreneurs, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and military veterans along with their family members.

Conditions and requirements

Applicants must provide official documentation to confirm their eligibility for priority criteria during registration. Female entrepreneurs must verify active status via an extract from the Unified State Register (EDR), internally displaced persons must provide an IDP registration certificate, and veterans or family members must supply corresponding military or veteran status records.

Selected participants commit to completing a hybrid educational program running from 18 November 2026 to 29 January 2027. This includes online lectures and webinars, complemented by offline sessions, practical workshops, and mentorship meetings hosted at the Diia.Business centre in Poltava.

Practical tip. Ensure your business idea includes clear operational targets and transparent equipment needs prior to applying. Align your proposed purchase with practical growth metrics, as your final pitch must convince the expert jury that the EUR 4,000 equipment allocation directly drives financial viability and operational continuity.

How to apply

Interested candidates must submit an online application form within the registration window spanning 5 October through 30 October 2026. The application requires basic applicant information, details regarding business concept or existing enterprise metrics, and relevant status confirmation files.

Application evaluation and participant selection will take place between 2 November and 13 November 2026, leading to the selection of 190 participants. Shortlisted founders then proceed through the three-month curriculum to prepare a final business plan and presentation.

The process culminates in the pitching stage scheduled from 1 February to 26 February 2027, where finalists defend their operational strategies before an expert jury to secure the equipment procurement allocation.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: rebuild3.com.ua.