Veterans returning to civilian life in Ukraine often face significant barriers to employment and rebuilding their economic lives. According to the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, over 63% hope to start their own business. To address this need, IREX’s Ukraine Rapid Response Fund (URRF) played a key role in drafting and securing the passage of a landmark law that empowers veterans to launch and grow their own businesses. This reform marks a major step toward expanding opportunities and enhancing veterans’ role in Ukraine’s recovery.

New Legislation Supports Veteran-Owned Businesses

In a landmark achievement in strengthening support for veterans and their families, on August 25, 2025, the President of Ukraine signed the Law on Veteran Entrepreneurship, passed by Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, in July. The law establishes a comprehensive framework to support veteran-run businesses through a wide range of mechanisms, including: 

• Tax incentives and priority access to public procurement and development programs
• Financial support, including grants, loans, interest compensation, and guarantees
• Support for innovation and export activities, including access to international markets
• Training and professional development for veteran entrepreneurs and their teams
• Simplified permitting and regulatory procedures to reduce administrative burdens
• Preferential treatment in intellectual property protections, such as reduced fees for patents and trademarks
• Involvement in state, regional, and local programs for economic development

The law is the product of a long-standing collaboration between the IREX-implemented URRF program, with support from the U.S. Department of State, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation (UVF), and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs (MoVA) to strengthen legal support for veteran entrepreneurship. 

Taras Tarasenko, the Member of Parliament who initiated the law’s registration in the Verkhovna Rada, highlighted the transparent process that led to the development and adoption. Drawing on IREX’s long-standing work with veterans across Ukraine, the team contributed field-based insights that helped shape a law grounded in the real needs and aspirations of the veteran community. 

In addition to coordinating the legal expertise and managing the drafting process, IREX also encouraged its government counterpart to include local community group voices in the development of the legislation. These efforts resulted in bringing six NGO representatives into the group of experts who drafted the law and ensured meaningful input from independent partners. This participatory approach not only strengthened the law’s relevance, but also built broad-based support for its passage.

Media and Public Support Reinforce Legislative Impact

The law’s innovative approach, comprehensive support mechanisms, and potential to transform the entrepreneurship landscape for veterans have been praised by major Ukrainian media outlets, including Forbes Ukraine and Ukrainian Week. 

“By supporting the launch and growth of veteran businesses, we are not just expressing gratitude for their service — we are investing in Ukraine’s economic strength,” said Nataliia Kalmykova, Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, who also expressed her gratitude to IREX in Ukraine.

The passage of the Law on Veteran Entrepreneurship is more than a policy achievement, it is a catalyst for post-war recovery. It creates an enabling environment for veterans to lead, innovate, and thrive, while opening doors for international cooperation and investment in veteran-led enterprises.

What’s Next: Turning Legislation Into Lasting Impact

The adoption of the Law on Veteran Entrepreneurship is a significant achievement, but its impact will depend on how effectively it is implemented. The government and its partners must now focus on building the systems, programs, and outreach needed to make entrepreneurship truly accessible to veterans. This includes developing clear procedures, bylaws, and a regulatory framework; launching support infrastructure; and ensuring that veterans across Ukraine are informed and empowered to benefit from the law. 

Looking ahead, the focus will be on turning the new law into tangible opportunities for veterans by building an enabling environment for veteran-led businesses. Through partnerships with NGOs, government development centers, and local municipalities, IREX will strengthen veterans’ readiness for financing, embed business support services into community structures, and pilot sustainable co-financing models. 

At the policy level, IREX will continue to support MoVA and local governments in developing by-laws and data-driven programs that align with national priorities. Together, these efforts will foster strong veteran business communities and entrepreneurial ecosystems, ensuring veterans can fully access and benefit from state support mechanisms.