National Society Development
REDpreneurUA enables local branches of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society to launch and grow social enterprises that respond to critical community needs. Through financial support, mentoring, and training, teams strengthen their capacity in business planning, marketing, and financial management, while developing sustainable models that integrate entrepreneurship into humanitarian aid.
Key initiatives include social laundries, wellness and psychosocial support spaces, and affordable clothing and household goods shops.
In 2025, a second cohort of ventures was launched in partnership with the French Red Cross, with 16 teams currently progressing through the Master Class stage.
By strengthening changemakers, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs, REDpreneur.UA fosters products and services that address social and environmental challenges. This enhances the resilience of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, reduces reliance on donor funding, and promotes innovation through greater awareness of business development.
Program Components
Training Academy
Master Class
Coaching & Mentoring
Seed Funding
REDpreneur Network
What is the timeframe?
The online Training Academy starts in early June 2025 and lasts for 8 weeks. The program requires approximately 2 hours of learning per week, making it easy to balance with your other commitments.
Topics:
- Foundations of Social Entrepreneurship
- Strategic Planning
- Idea Validation & Execution
- Alignment & Impact
- Pitch Presentation Training
After completing the Training Academy, the most accomplished teams will have the chance to apply for a 3-month Master Class and ongoing mentorship support, starting in September 2025.
During the Master Class, teams will refine their venture ideas and pitch them for a chance to receive seed funding. Successful teams are expected to receive funding and begin implementing their grants in early 2026. To support this process, mentorship and coaching will continue for several months after the program.
Who can apply?
We invite applications from URCS branches who meet the following criteria:
- Project with Potential: We welcome applications from teams with innovative ideas in their early stages. Preference will be given to ideas related to the core services \ mandate if URCS, for example in the following areas: Health & Wellness (e.g., salt rooms, massage services), Repair & Recycle (e.g., sewing workshops, mobile repair services) and other services to the communities based on needs. However, innovative and unique social enterprise ideas are also welcome to apply. Whether your idea is fully formed or still in development, we’ll support you in validating it, building a business model, and creating a sustainable financial plan. Existing initiatives can also be accelerated through this program.
- Motivation to Succeed: Teams should demonstrate a strong motivation to develop their idea into a sustainable and impactful social enterprise, with a clear commitment to achieving both social and financial goals.
- Dedicated team: Each application must include a project leader, a financial manager, and an additional team member (e.g., volunteer or stakeholder representative).
- Institutional support: For the application, include a written endorsement letter from the respective URCS regional (oblast) organization. Please note that this call is open to all URCS branches except those that have already benefited from REDpreneur support during the first cohort in Ukraine in 2024.
