Social entrepreneurship holds significant promise for addressing urgent social and economic challenges, fostering inclusion, and aiding the post-war recovery of the capital. This was the focus of a roundtable discussion organized by the municipal research institution «Kyiv Institute for Socio-Economic Development of the City».

«Social business has a vast potential for growth in the capital and can play a crucial role in overcoming the aftermath of war, particularly by promoting an inclusive labor market – from innovative limb production to enhancing community defense and safety. Therefore, the city authorities are ready to create conditions that allow entrepreneurs to thrive, as outlined in municipal program documents. This is a key to sustainable development for the metropolis and a pathway to building a just, inclusive society,» said Vyacheslav Panchenko, the First Deputy Director of the Department of Economics and Investments of the Kyiv City State Administration.

According to the specialized platform SILab Ukraine, there are currently over 50 businesses in Kyiv focused on social impact. About 40% of them operate in the ecology sector, 30% focus on social integration for people with disabilities, veterans, and youth, while approximately 20% provide educational services or engage in cultural initiatives. Social enterprises employ more than 2,000 people, with around 30% being representatives of socially vulnerable groups.

«Kyiv could become a driving force in establishing the infrastructure for social entrepreneurship and develop a supportive ecosystem for such businesses, especially among the youth. Social innovators typically require technical assistance, such as help with international grant applications, finding patrons, fundraising training, and attracting impact investments,» noted Institute Director Sergey Pavlovsky.

He also emphasized the importance of leveraging international experience and the best local practices to support companies willing to integrate social impact into their operations.