Agroholding Kernel and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have signed a EUR1 million grant agreement to develop the company’s human capital programmes, .
The funding will go towards training young technical specialists and creating a barrier-free working environment. The partnership is based on the shared conviction of Kernel and the EBRD that investing in people is a prerequisite for Ukraine’s recovery, and that these steps need to be taken now, with an eye to the future, the statement says.
The EBRD supports projects that help Ukrainian businesses strengthen their resilience while investing in the country’s future. The partnership with Kernel demonstrates the important role the private sector can play in restoring Ukraine’s human capital. Investments in accessibility and inclusive technical education create new opportunities for people, strengthen business resilience and demonstrate the maturity of Ukrainian companies to future international investors.
The first area of the project will be the creation of modern training laboratories at four vocational and technical colleges in Ukraine. They will train workers in skilled trades that are now critically important for the agricultural sector, industry and renewable energy: electricians, industrial automation specialists and other technical specialists.
The laboratories will be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. This will allow students to gain real practical skills and meet the requirements of the modern labour market. Over five years, the laboratories are expected to train around 600 qualified young specialists, who will become the foundation for the recovery of the Ukrainian economy in the regions.
The second area of the grant programme involves modernising Kernel’s production facilities in line with international principles of barrier-free access and universal design.
The company implements all solutions in cooperation with veterans, so that they meet the real needs of people returning to civilian work. This work is part of a comprehensive veteran support programme covering workplace adaptation and physical and psychological reintegration.
The initiative is being implemented under the EBRD’s Human Capital Investment Incentive (HCII) grant programme, launched in 2024 to support Ukrainian companies in addressing workforce challenges caused by the war. The programme provides co-financing for investments aimed at creating employment opportunities, developing professional skills and improving the accessibility of workplace infrastructure. Donor support for the cooperation between the EBRD and Kernel is provided by the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund.
Agroholding Kernel is the world’s largest producer and exporter of sunflower oil, the largest exporter of grain from Ukraine, the operator of an extensive network of logistics assets and a leading producer of grain and oilseed crops in Ukraine. It is one of the largest producers and sellers of bottled oil in Ukraine. It is engaged in growing agricultural products and selling them.
According to the results of the nine months of the 2026 financial year (starting 1 July 2025), Kernel’s net profit decreased by 5% to $208 million, revenue increased by 0.4% to $3.092 billion, and EBITDA by 1%, to $403 million.
Source: https://interfax.com.ua
