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REDpreneur Ukraine

 

REDpreneur: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Ukraine 

 

Announcement

With the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Neighbour in Need (NIN), the Austrian Red Cross and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society are strengthening women’s economic empowerment through the REDpreneur.UA programme. 

Over the course of the project, 50 women entrepreneurs will be selected in two cohorts (2025 and 2026) to participate in REDpreneur’s comprehensive business development journey. Each participant will receive tailored training, mentoring, and pitch coaching to transform their ideas into viable businesses. From this group, 34 women will be awarded seed grants, alongside dedicated business coaching to help them scale, access financing, and connect with networks. Beyond direct support, thousands of women will engage through the RED HUB platform, which offers webinars, inspiration sessions, and publications highlighting success stories and best practices. In total, more than 6,000 women will strengthen their knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue income-generating activities and build sustainable livelihoods. 

The REDpreneur component is embedded in the broader project “EMMA – Humanitarian Assistance and Women’s Empowerment for Conflict-Affected People in Ukraine”. Alongside women’s entrepreneurship, EMMA also provides: 

  • Hygiene and sanitation assistance for 3,000 vulnerable people, 
  • Shelter and winterisation support for 5,680 individuals in frontline and high-IDP areas, and 
  • Mental health and psychosocial support for URCS staff and volunteers. 

By combining immediate humanitarian aid with long-term resilience building, EMMA ensures that conflict-affected people in Ukraine can meet their basic needs today while gaining the tools to rebuild their lives and communities in a sustainable and inclusive way. 

Stay tuned for news and updates to come soon.

Humanitarian Aid with Dignity

We’re preparing to launch the distribution of hygiene and shelter kits specifically designed for women, older adults, and people with disabilities. These kits will be rolled out starting October 2025, with contents tailored to restore dignity and meet urgent needs in displacement settings. Procurement and logistics are already in motion, ensuring timely delivery and cultural relevance.

Empowerment Through Skills & Enterprise

Two tenders are being finalized to recruit women into training programs focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial literacy. The first cohort of 25 women is scheduled to begin in October, supported by local business incubators. Following training, selected participants will receive seed grants and mentorship to launch their own businesses. A publication showcasing women-led success stories is also in development, aiming to reach thousands of readers and inspire broader participation.

Sustainability & Strategic Coordination

We’re integrating climate-smart principles into future training modules, helping women build environmentally responsible businesses. This aligns with URCS’s commitment to climate-sensitive procurement and short distribution channels. At the same time, we’re strengthening coordination with national authorities and humanitarian partners, including active participation in the Winterisation Working Group, to ensure women’s needs are embedded in national response strategies and policy frameworks.