Entrepreneurship among Veterans in Ukraine: Current Status, Trends, and Prospects for Development

Abstract

The article examines the contemporary state, prevailing trends, and development prospects of veteran entrepreneurship in Ukraine as a pivotal mechanism for the socio-economic reintegration of individuals who have participated in combat operations. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal, institutional, and financial instruments of state support for veteran-owned enterprises, with particular emphasis on the activities of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Veterans Fund, and the grant programs #VARTO and “eRobota.” The research identifies the key motivational factors that encourage veterans to engage in entrepreneurial activity, notably the pursuit of self-fulfillment, financial autonomy, and the restoration of personal agency. Considerable attention is devoted to the socio-psychological dimensions of veteran entrepreneurship, including the development of leadership capacities, resilience under stress, and managerial decision-making competencies. The article further delineates the principal constraints hindering the expansion of veteran business initiatives. These include limited access to financial resources, insufficient managerial expertise, deficiencies in the regulatory environment, and the inadequate availability of educational and mentoring opportunities. The significance of the Law of Ukraine “On Veteran Entrepreneurship” (2025) is underscored as a landmark legislative act that establishes a legal framework for stimulating veterans’ economic activity and guarantees the protection of their rights. A comparative analysis of international experience—drawing on examples from the United States, Croatia, and the United Kingdom—demonstrates that effective support for veteran entrepreneurship is achieved through integrated mentoring programs, grant financing, preferential access to public procurement, and strong partnerships between state institutions and civil society organizations. Synthesizing this experience makes it possible to identify public policy models that can be adapted to the Ukrainian context. The findings indicate that veteran entrepreneurship constitutes a significant resource for post-war economic recovery, employment generation, and the enhancement of social stability within local communities. The effective implementation of coordinated governmental and civic initiatives in this domain will foster the creation of an inclusive socio-economic environment in which veterans can realize their full potential, thereby reinforcing the resilience and sustainability of Ukraine’s economic and social systems.