EBA Odesa: Supporting War-Affected Businesses Requires Accessible Compensation Mechanisms and Business Recovery Tools

03/ 11/ 2026

Listen to online Stop   Damage to production facilities, destruction of property, forced business closures and the need to preserve jobs remain serious challenges for businesses in the Odesa region amid the full-scale war. For companies affected by Russian attacks, access to financial assistance, clear procedures for documenting losses and practical business recovery mechanisms are particularly important. The European Business Association supports ongoing dialogue between businesses and public authorities to ensure that such instruments are accessible and effective. These issues were discussed on 30 October in Odesa during a meeting with business representatives organised by the Economic Development Department of Odesa City Council. The European Business Association was represented by Kateryna Morozova, Head of the Southern Ukrainian Office. Representatives of EBA member companies, local authorities, the Odesa Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Employment Service and the legal community also took part in the discussion. One of the key topics was financial support for businesses whose property has been damaged or destroyed as a result of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression. In Odesa, two support mechanisms for businesses are available under the Municipal Target Programme for Increasing the Competitiveness of the City’s Economy for 2022–2029. The first mechanism provides compensation of up to UAH 500,000 per entrepreneur for expenses incurred in restoring damaged or destroyed property. Eligible expenses include the purchase of new production equipment to replace destroyed equipment, repairs to damaged equipment, the purchase of construction materials and repair works. The amount of compensation may not exceed the amount of taxes and fees paid by the entrepreneur over the previous two years, as specified by the Programme. The second mechanism provides reimbursement of 50% of the costs of an independent damage assessment or forensic examination, up to UAH 100,000 per entrepreneur. This mechanism partially covers the costs of preparing documentary evidence of losses, which is necessary for the further protection of a company’s property interests. Support is available to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that meet the criteria established by the Programme. The main requirements include registration in Odesa, no outstanding tax liabilities, no sanctions or bankruptcy proceedings, and compliance with restrictions concerning certain business activities. Additional requirements apply to compensation for property restoration, including those related to the period of business registration, the location of the property and ownership rights to it. To receive assistance, businesses must submit an application and supporting documents to the Economic Development Department of Odesa City Council. These documents must confirm the damage to the property, the expenses incurred and the applicant’s compliance with the Programme requirements. Applications are reviewed by the relevant commission, and funding is provided within the limits of the allocated budget. According to Larysa Sheikina, Head of the Industry and Entrepreneurship Division of the Economic Development Department of Odesa City Council, two companies had already received compensation by the time of the meeting, while three more applications were being processed. Another important area is supporting employers and preserving human capital. Businesses forced to temporarily suspend operations due to property damage or destruction can apply for the national “Point of Support” (Tochka Opory) programme, implemented by the State Employment Service. The programme provides partial compensation for labour costs incurred by employers for employees who are temporarily idle or whose employment contracts have been suspended due to damage to or destruction of an enterprise as a result of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression. Support may be provided for 3–6 months, depending on the applicable conditions. The main eligibility criteria include the absence of outstanding wage, tax and Unified Social Contribution (USC) payments; documentary evidence of property damage; and an approved business recovery plan, along with compliance with other programme requirements. Compensation is available for employees who have worked for the respective employer for at least six calendar months. Tetiana Kanava, Director of the Odesa Branch of the Odesa Regional Employment Centre, emphasised the importance of employers applying for support in a timely manner. During the discussion, business representatives also raised the question of whether companies operating from rented premises could participate in the programme. Employment Service representatives noted that such cases could be considered individually, taking into account the available documentation and the business recovery plan. Special attention was also given to legal mechanisms for protecting businesses and properly documenting losses. Artem Ripenko, Doctor of Law and Partner at the DE-YURE law firm, presented practical recommendations on preparing businesses for potential damage, maintaining property title documents, documenting the consequences of attacks and assessing losses. The discussion also covered options for war-risk insurance and the use of relevant loss registration mechanisms. Meanwhile, Natalia Yaremenko, a representative of the Odesa Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, explained the procedures for certifying force majeure circumstances under foreign trade contracts. Particular attention was paid to the need to establish how such circumstances affect the performance of specific contractual obligations, ensure that force majeure clauses are properly worded and notify counterparties in a timely manner. During the meeting, Alla Bekh, Deputy Mayor of Odesa, emphasised the importance of maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the business community to address the practical challenges faced by entrepreneurs. In turn, Andrii Rozov, Director of the Economic Development Department of Odesa City Council, encouraged businesses to contact the Department directly or through business associations with their proposals and concerns to help further improve existing support mechanisms. The Southern Ukrainian Office of the European Business Association continues to facilitate cooperation between businesses and public authorities in addressing the region’s most pressing business challenges. Amid ongoing security threats, accessible mechanisms for compensating losses, financing recovery and preserving jobs are essential to business resilience and the economic development of the Odesa region. Useful information for businesses Municipal compensation programmes Economic Development Department of Odesa City Council Address: Office 10, 2nd Floor, 6 Italiiska Street, Odesa Phone: +38 (048) 705-46-24 Email: [email protected] National “Point of Support” (Tochka Opory) programme Detailed eligibility requirements, application procedures and the list of required documents are available on the official website of the State Employment Service.

Damage to production facilities, destruction of property, forced business closures and the need to preserve jobs remain serious challenges for businesses in the Odesa region amid the full-scale war. For companies affected by Russian attacks, access to financial assistance, clear procedures for documenting losses and practical business recovery mechanisms are particularly important. The European Business Association supports ongoing dialogue between businesses and public authorities to ensure that such instruments are accessible and effective.

These issues were discussed on 30 October in Odesa during a meeting with business representatives organised by the Economic Development Department of Odesa City Council. The European Business Association was represented by Kateryna Morozova, Head of the Southern Ukrainian Office. Representatives of EBA member companies, local authorities, the Odesa Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Employment Service and the legal community also took part in the discussion.

One of the key topics was financial support for businesses whose property has been damaged or destroyed as a result of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression. In Odesa, two support mechanisms for businesses are available under the Municipal Target Programme for Increasing the Competitiveness of the City’s Economy for 2022–2029.

The first mechanism provides compensation of up to UAH 500,000 per entrepreneur for expenses incurred in restoring damaged or destroyed property. Eligible expenses include the purchase of new production equipment to replace destroyed equipment, repairs to damaged equipment, the purchase of construction materials and repair works. The amount of compensation may not exceed the amount of taxes and fees paid by the entrepreneur over the previous two years, as specified by the Programme.

The second mechanism provides reimbursement of 50% of the costs of an independent damage assessment or forensic examination, up to UAH 100,000 per entrepreneur. This mechanism partially covers the costs of preparing documentary evidence of losses, which is necessary for the further protection of a company’s property interests.

Support is available to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that meet the criteria established by the Programme. The main requirements include registration in Odesa, no outstanding tax liabilities, no sanctions or bankruptcy proceedings, and compliance with restrictions concerning certain business activities. Additional requirements apply to compensation for property restoration, including those related to the period of business registration, the location of the property and ownership rights to it.

To receive assistance, businesses must submit an application and supporting documents to the Economic Development Department of Odesa City Council. These documents must confirm the damage to the property, the expenses incurred and the applicant’s compliance with the Programme requirements. Applications are reviewed by the relevant commission, and funding is provided within the limits of the allocated budget.

According to Larysa Sheikina, Head of the Industry and Entrepreneurship Division of the Economic Development Department of Odesa City Council, two companies had already received compensation by the time of the meeting, while three more applications were being processed.

Another important area is supporting employers and preserving human capital. Businesses forced to temporarily suspend operations due to property damage or destruction can apply for the national “Point of Support” (Tochka Opory) programme, implemented by the State Employment Service.

The programme provides partial compensation for labour costs incurred by employers for employees who are temporarily idle or whose employment contracts have been suspended due to damage to or destruction of an enterprise as a result of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression.

Support may be provided for 3–6 months, depending on the applicable conditions. The main eligibility criteria include the absence of outstanding wage, tax and Unified Social Contribution (USC) payments; documentary evidence of property damage; and an approved business recovery plan, along with compliance with other programme requirements. Compensation is available for employees who have worked for the respective employer for at least six calendar months.

Tetiana Kanava, Director of the Odesa Branch of the Odesa Regional Employment Centre, emphasised the importance of employers applying for support in a timely manner. During the discussion, business representatives also raised the question of whether companies operating from rented premises could participate in the programme. Employment Service representatives noted that such cases could be considered individually, taking into account the available documentation and the business recovery plan.

Special attention was also given to legal mechanisms for protecting businesses and properly documenting losses. Artem Ripenko, Doctor of Law and Partner at the DE-YURE law firm, presented practical recommendations on preparing businesses for potential damage, maintaining property title documents, documenting the consequences of attacks and assessing losses. The discussion also covered options for war-risk insurance and the use of relevant loss registration mechanisms.

Meanwhile, Natalia Yaremenko, a representative of the Odesa Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, explained the procedures for certifying force majeure circumstances under foreign trade contracts. Particular attention was paid to the need to establish how such circumstances affect the performance of specific contractual obligations, ensure that force majeure clauses are properly worded and notify counterparties in a timely manner.

During the meeting, Alla Bekh, Deputy Mayor of Odesa, emphasised the importance of maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the business community to address the practical challenges faced by entrepreneurs. In turn, Andrii Rozov, Director of the Economic Development Department of Odesa City Council, encouraged businesses to contact the Department directly or through business associations with their proposals and concerns to help further improve existing support mechanisms.

The Southern Ukrainian Office of the European Business Association continues to facilitate cooperation between businesses and public authorities in addressing the region’s most pressing business challenges. Amid ongoing security threats, accessible mechanisms for compensating losses, financing recovery and preserving jobs are essential to business resilience and the economic development of the Odesa region.

Useful information for businesses

Municipal compensation programmes

Economic Development Department of Odesa City Council

Address: Office 10, 2nd Floor, 6 Italiiska Street, Odesa

Phone: +38 (048) 705-46-24

Email: [email protected]

National “Point of Support” (Tochka Opory) programme

Detailed eligibility requirements, application procedures and the list of required documents are available on the official website of the State Employment Service.