SUPPORTING VETERANS: FROM AN IDEA TO A BUSINESS OF YOUR OWN

SUPPORTING VETERANS: FROM AN IDEA TO A BUSINESS OF YOUR OWN

On behalf of Zmiiv City Mayor Pavlo Holodnikov, a meeting was held with the participation of representatives of the NGO “Made a Veteran”, the Zmiiv City Council and a war veteran. During the meeting, practical support for veterans in starting their own business was discussed. One example is the story of Vlad Kravtsov. While defending Ukraine as part of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Hetman Ivan Mazepa, he was seriously injured near Severodonetsk. Today, Vlad is striving to start a new stage in his life – to open a tattoo parlor with his wife. Currently, the veteran is working on a business project to receive grant support. The NGO “Made a Veteran” will accompany him at all stages – from writing an application to opening his own business.

An important step on this path was the transfer of a professional tattoo printer to Vlad - as the first investment in a future business.

Ruslan Amosov, Head of the Department for Veterans and War Veterans Affairs, noted that cooperation with NGOs is already yielding results:

"Today, the NGO "Made a Veteran" is already working with three veterans from the Zmiiv community who intend to start their own business and receive grant support."

First Deputy Mayor Tetyana Timofeeva emphasized the importance of systematic work:

"Our meeting today is not the first. The Zmiiv City Council and the Department of Veterans Affairs actively cooperate with the NGO "Zrobleno veteranom". We already have positive experience in supporting veterans, in particular in the purchase and transfer of equipment. We sincerely thank the founder of the organization, Serhiy Gladkoskok, for his significant contribution to supporting our defenders. Each veteran has his own path of adaptation, and our task is to help them find themselves in a peaceful life, develop and have a stable income."

Milana Smorodska, head of the NGO "Made a Veteran", added:

"We are always ready to help veterans start their own business and accompany them on this path. We hope that this is just the first step towards a successful business for our veteran."

The founder of the NGO "Made a Veteran" Serhiy Gladkoskok emphasized the role of communities:

"Every community should promote the development of veteran entrepreneurship. The interaction of local governments and public organizations is a real support mechanism that helps veterans socialize, work, and at the same time fill the local budget."

The Zmiiv City Council will continue to work on creating opportunities for veterans - because their experience, strength, and motivation are an important part of community development.