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Although women entrepreneurship is a relatively new phenomenon in Ukraine, an exchange of best practices and knowledge in the field of women entrepreneurship between various cities is nevertheless relevant. To that end, PLEDDG Project organized a study tour on women entrepreneurship for representatives from Project partner cities from Poltava, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Zaporizhia regions, the tour taking place on September 19-21, 2018. In the course of the study tour, participants learned about Vinnytsia’s women entrepreneurship best practices and received valuable knowledge and useful skills related to women entrepreneurship as well as discovered what role therein is played by local authorities, NGOs, and business associations.

The study tour started with a visit to the NGO “Right Protection Association and Help for People with Disabilities” Open Heart”, which is actively engaged in social entrepreneurship. The organization opened in 2003. The mission of the organization is to support and protect families taking care of children and young people with disabilities, represent their interests in various institutions, protect their rights and represent their legal interests. The organization, which is an example of women social entrepreneurship, provides social and medical, social and psychological, social and pedagogical, legal, and informational services. Svitlana Demko is Chairperson of the Association.

A PLEDDG Project delegation then paid a visit to a Vinnytsia-based trade company “Ukrainochka“. In 2010, Olena Vykhrystiuk, Director General of the “Ukrainochka”, set up the Welfare Institution Charitable Fund “Perlyna Nadii”, with the aim to provide assistance to sick children, orphan asylums and other people in need. The “Ukrainochka” is engaged in many charitable projects, and, through the WI CF “Perlyna Nadii”, provides food and clothing for the Ukrainian army in the ATO zone as well as injured ATO veterans who are undergoing medical treatment in Vinnytsia Rrgion. The study tour participants conversed with Olena Vykhrystiuk, and later participated in the seminar “Youth Entrepreneurship Development”.

Later, there was a visit to Vinnytsia HUB “City of Meanings”, which serves a space for dialogue and an exchange of ideas between the local authorities, businesspeople and NGOs. In the framework of the project “Meaningful City: a Space for Communication and Participation”, implemented with the financial support of Global Affairs Canada through the Democratic Governance and Development Initiatives Support Fund of PLEDDG Project, there were developed the Hub’s strategic documents such as a development strategy, business plan, and communication strategy. On the premises of the hub, participants had an opportunity to speak to Nadiia Manko, Director of the Audit Company “Nadiinist”.

The following destination point was “Vinnytsia Food and Gustatory Factory, Pr. JSC”. Vinnytsia Food & Gustatory Factory, Private Joint-Stock Company, is one of the leading companies in Vinnytsia region in canned food industry. It was founded in 1999 as a result of the Vinnytsia Food Goods Plant’s reorganization. The integrated plant started its activity with production of bakery foods, sunflower oil, and soft drinks. Today, the enterprise produces more than 50 assortment items, which are in high demand all over Ukraine. Liubov Semeniuk, Chairperson of the Management Board, told the participants about the company’s successful activity. The day ended with a trip to the Recreation Complex Gostevia.

On the last day, participants met with Vladyslav Skalskyi, Deputy Mayor, Alina Skomarovska, Director of Design Studio “Exclusive Design”, and Nadiia Lysetska, Director of “AmeliArt Ukraine” LLC, President of “Vinnytsia Club of Business People” NGO. Ms Nadiia presented Consulting Business Center for the city’s SME representatives “Business Academy”, founded with support of PLEDDG Project. “The Academy of Business Support and Development” provides various services to SMEs and introduces international best practice in doing business across Vinnytsia region.