UNDP and the Government of Ukraine launch a new virtual centre with information on legalizing one’s stay abroad and registering a business in European countries.
The Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office in Ukraine, together with Ukraine Government services online (Diia.Business), has launched an innovative hotline – a virtual Diia.Business centre.
The centre aims to provide displaced persons from Ukraine in European countries with all the information they need about the rules and procedures for legalizing their stay, registering a business, finding employment or getting assistance.
The project was initiated by the Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development, along with the national Diia.Business project, and implemented by the NGO “Small And Medium Business Support Consulting Centre” with assistance from the UN Development Programme in Ukraine with financial support from Sweden.
Valeriya Ionan, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for European Integration, said the Government has adapted to the realities of war and is launching the types of services that people need most at the moment. “We’ve launched the first virtual Diia.Business centre to provide Ukrainians abroad with quick and high-quality support in a convenient and innovative format,” she said.
Manal Fouani, acting UNDP Ukraine Resident Representative said the war is wreaking unprecedented socio-economic calamity on all Ukrainians, from forced displacement to the loss of income and livelihoods. “The unfolding economic crisis requires urgent action,” she said. “The Government of Ukraine is acting swiftly and efficiently to address the needs of its citizens relying for the most part on digital solutions and existing institutional mechanisms. This new hotline will be an important instrument to support war-affected and relocated businesses and displaced persons. It will mainly avail information about shelters that could host those in need and connect them to the right service provider.”
The Virtual Diia.Business Centre will provide professional advice on employment, entrepreneurship and temporary registration in EU countries. During the pilot phase of the project, specialists will advise Ukrainians residing in seven countries: Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The Centre will also provide necessary advice to internally displaced persons in Ukraine. After obtaining consultations, people will be given a tailor-made road map with a list of useful materials, information about contact centres, and other recommendations.
Tobias Thyberg, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sweden to Ukraine said Sweden is strongly committed to supporting Ukraine to tackle the humanitarian crisis caused by war. “Sweden is aiding Ukraine to provide assistance to the millions forced to flee their homes, who lost their livelihoods because of the war. Technology can expedite this process and the new chatbot can help them obtain the urgently needed advice on the job opportunities and registration procedures to regain the necessary life stability.”
