Dnipropetrovsk region continues to hold Ukraine’s economic front, even under daily shelling.
This was the focus of the Economic Forum “Resilience of Dnipropetrovsk Region and Its Business Sector During the War”, held on 12 May 2026 in the city of Dnipro.
The event was implemented by the Dnipropetrovsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support of the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU), funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.
The event brought together around 170 participants, including representatives of public authorities, local self-government bodies, international organisations, veteran-owned and relocated businesses, as well as specialists of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Investment Agency (DIA).
The Forum became not merely a platform for discussion, but a space for developing practical solutions to support the regional economy under wartime conditions. The key focus areas included partnership development, community resilience, prospects for agglomeration development, support for damaged enterprises, and the introduction of mechanisms and international programmes to stimulate business activity in Dnipropetrovsk region.
Regional leaders noted that today the region remains one of Ukraine’s key economic centres. Despite constant missile and drone attacks, Dnipropetrovsk region generates more than 11% of the country’s GDP and ranks among the leaders in tax revenues. It is here that enterprises from frontline territories are relocating, people are moving, and industry continues to operate, forming the economic foundation for the country’s future recovery.
During the event, the launch of financial support instruments from 18 May 2026 was announced under the regional Programme for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for 2025–2026. The Programme was approved by Decision No. 459-23/VIII of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council dated 13 December 2024. It is aimed at providing financial support to business entities from the regional budget and complements the state programme “Affordable Loans 5-7-9%”, in accordance with Resolution No. 28 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 24 January 2020, as amended.
As part of the event, a panel discussion titled “Problems and Challenges of Communities in Dnipropetrovsk Region” was held. The discussion focused on the economic resilience of territories, support for local entrepreneurship, community development, investment attraction, and synergy between authorities, businesses and international partners.
Alim Molodan, Deputy Director of DIA, emphasised that effective cooperation between communities, entrepreneurs and international organisations is becoming the basis for practical solutions that enable the region not only to maintain economic stability, but also to create a foundation for future development.
The Agency continues to work on investor support, the development of the investment component for projects in communities, and the promotion of Dnipropetrovsk region as a region open to international cooperation.
It was also separately underlined that today businesses need not only nationwide support, but also the development of local preferences at the community and regional levels, in line with the real needs of entrepreneurs and the challenges of wartime. Therefore, it is important to integrate support mechanisms, investor incentives and business development tools into community and regional development strategies, creating competitive conditions for business retention and scaling.
More information preferences for investor is available on the DIA website.
Business support opportunities were presented by People in Need, Mercy Corps UASP, the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and UN Women Ukraine.
The presentations focused on grant programmes, support for relocated and veteran-owned businesses, assistance in restoring agricultural activities, the development of women’s entrepreneurship, and training initiatives that provide access to new financial instruments, international partnerships and opportunities to scale production.
The Forum once again confirmed that the resilience of Dnipropetrovsk region is not only about endurance during the war, but also about the ability to develop, attract investment and build the future today.
