Information about the partnership
Even in the context of the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian economy continues to grow. The interest in business cooperations between the Ukrainian and German companies is also increasing, particularly with regard to the EU accession process and reconstruction. Key sectors such as construction, machine building, and energy efficiency are crucial for the recovery efforts. The Partnering in Business with Germany programme specifically supports B2B contacts between German and Ukrainian companies looking for reliable and successful business partners. Ukrainian SMEs form the backbone of the Ukrainian economy, contributing two-thirds of the value added and creating more than 80 percent of the jobs.
Focus Areas and Cooperation Potentials of Ukraine
There is great interest and demand for Partnering in Business with Germany among the Ukrainian business community. There also is considerable potential for cooperation, particularly in the context of the free trade and association agreement with the EU and the upcoming negotiations for EU accession. The programme is making a contribution to rebuilding the Ukrainian economy and is supporting Ukrainian managers who have fled to Germany because of the war.
Business in Ukraine – Opportunities for German Companies
Ukraine’s economy remains on a growth trajectory, even amid the Russian invasion. International support promotes both sustainable reconstruction and the EU-oriented reform process. At the same time, the interest of German companies in the Ukrainian market remains strong: exports and imports between Germany and Ukraine are increasing, and many German companies are already investing again or preparing to participate in the reconstruction – particularly in the areas of energy, infrastructure, IT, agriculture, and manufacturing. Given the immense war damages, however, reconstruction remains a long-term task. The priority is initially to maintain the basic economic functions and secure key logistics and supply routes.
Industry Focus and Participant Profiles
Partnering in Business with Germany is open to executives from all sectors. The priority here is providing support for managers working in areas that are relevant for the reconstruction of Ukraine such as construction, the circular economy, mechanical engineering, energy efficiency, healthcare and food processing.
There is currently no official alumni organisation in Ukraine. However, alumni from Ukraine are well connected and support one another. The regional partners of the programme are working closely with the alumni in their regions. Ukrainian alumni are working to foster the social and economic development of their regions by strengthening their foreign trade potential. Here, you can access the alumni community’s Business-Hacks and learn about alumni’s success stories in a creative format.
How to apply for the programme
You are eligible to apply if you are a manager in a company with foreign trade potential and have a concrete idea for cooperation with German businesses, have several years of experience in management and have a good knowledge of the programme language.
What do you have to do to participate in the programme?
1. Fill in the electronic application form and submit it by email to an ed.zig@oknestul.anelo.
2. Take part in a virtual interview with representatives of the programme in Kyiv.
How will the interview work?
The interview will be held in the programme language and take about 20 minutes. Your language skills will be assessed, and you will be asked about your intention and specific objectives for taking part in the programme. You will also be asked about the companies you would like to engage in contact with and your specific idea for cooperation with German businesses. Your idea for cooperation will serve as the basis for a cooperation project you will pursue during the programme.
You will be told within two weeks whether you have been accepted into the programme.
News
Award for Partnering in Business with Germany in Ukraine
In December 2025, the Partnering in Business with Germany programme received an award at the Ukrainian Employers Annual Meeting in the category “Support Ukraine – Support Ukrainian Business”. The award expresses the appreciation for the programme’s special commitment when it comes to supporting Ukrainian companies and promoting sustainable business cooperation with German small and medium-sized enterprises.
New business: pushing the envelope
In mid-May, around 60 Ukrainian programme alumni from the construction industry came together in Lviv to pinpoint innovative business opportunities. What stood out was the format: the entrepreneurs were urged to think outside the bounds of conventional categories.
Successful matching: the Special Initiative for Ukraine proves to be relevant
Promotion of foreign trade and investment, labour market integration and a corporate social responsibility project: the second round of the Special Initiative for Ukraine in the context of the Partnering in Business with Germany programme came to a successful end in Berlin and Düsseldorf at the beginning of April 2025. 76 Ukrainian “bridging managers” and 63 German host companies look back on valuable cooperation.
Business cooperation: The Special Initiative for Ukraine enters its second round
At the end of January, around 40 Ukrainian refugee managers and 33 German companies started a unique new edition of the Special Initiative for Ukraine of Partnering in Business with Germany in Berlin and Düsseldorf. The aim is to establish and strengthen business relations between Germany and Ukraine.
Partnership with Ukraine extended: continuation of the cooperation in the context of "Partnering in Business with Germany"
Ukraine has been a partner country of Partnering in Business with Germany since 2001 and was thus one of the first countries to join the programme. A joint declaration of intent to continue the cooperation was signed in Kyiv on 29 January 2025. The aim is to further deepen the business relations between German and Ukrainian companies and to strengthen the strategic collaboration.
Your contacts in Ukraine
A network of local partners is providing active support for business activities in their region by working with German companies.
Regional partners of the programme