USAID
Client
USAID
Year
2022
Location
Lviv
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Project for communication support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and
relocated businesses in Ukraine
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has brought new challenges for both large companies and
and small and medium-sized businesses. But the strongest, according to a large Deloitte study,
The war affected SMEs.
This includes a decrease in demand for products, a lack of financing, logistical problems, and
destruction of warehouses due to shelling, marketing chains destroyed. War
also exacerbated some existing problems, such as the availability of human capital and labor
strength.
This project, initiated by USAID, is designed to increase product/brand awareness,
increase demand for products/services, – strengthen the positions of relocated SMEs in existing markets
and help with entering new ones. Also, the communication support project helped SMEs “be
"noticed" by both potential employees and partners, investors, government agencies
institutions, local authorities and non-governmental foundations.
An important component of the campaign is the creation of a single info-community of relocated SMEs, which helps to share specific cases of solving similar issues, inspire each other to develop with stories of success and perseverance, and unite to solve needs through joint efforts.
As part of the Miks Digital project, we implemented a comprehensive information campaign that combined
different types of media formats. So, as part of the campaign, they created and delivered through various digital
channels and media 20 captioned videos telling the stories of entrepreneurs who were able to evacuate
businesses to safer regions. In addition, stories of resilience were also told in
publication format – 20 articles in the media. Also a four-month campaign on social networks
helped all types of target audiences learn about such relocated SMEs, their stories
success, needs, products and services.
Among the heroes and businesses whose stories of resilience were told were the most diverse
representatives: such as the Rubizhanskaya hosiery factory from Luhansk region, which resumed production in Lviv; farmers who grow and sell snails in Zaporizhia; a businesswoman from Pokrovsk, who now sews uniforms for the military in Lviv; friends who prepare natural semi-finished products in Zaporizhia; craft oil producers from Dnipro; an ATO hero who relocated his eco-farm with 150 exotic goats from Luhansk region to Volyn; university students from eastern regions of Ukraine, who are now learning to take the first steps in entrepreneurship in Georgia, and many others.
In addition to the marketing effect, history has once again confirmed that nothing is impossible for Ukrainians, even during war. But most importantly, we helped businesses solve specific problems.
One of the project's areas was also the promotion and development of the "Women in Business and Technology" community, which provides comprehensive assistance and support to Ukrainian female entrepreneurs.
The communication platform, created with the assistance of the USAID Economic Support to Ukraine Project, conducts regular thematic lectures, trainings, and events, provides consultations and shares qualified knowledge on business management and entrepreneurship, constantly updates useful information about various donor and investment programs, and provides psychological support.
The project also aimed to attract at least +120% more participants. Miks Digital increased the number of network participants by +687% within 120 days of operation.
We are glad that we were able to contribute our knowledge and experience to supporting the economy.
Ukraine during the war through assistance to SMEs. Grateful to USAID for the trust and opportunity.