A new Business Hub has been inaugurated in Odesa, based on the Employment Center. This space is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises, which are particularly vulnerable during wartime. The hub offers training, consultations, access to grant programs, modern office environments, meeting rooms, as well as relaxation areas and play zones for children.

Special attention has been given to inclusivity: two offices are equipped for people with disabilities, automatic sliding doors have been installed, and tactile signage is provided. Boris Emeldesh, the president of the All-Ukrainian Professional Association of Entrepreneurs, stated that the space is designed to be safe, barrier-free, autonomous, and functional.

At the opening, representatives of the authorities and partner organizations discussed the challenges faced by entrepreneurs during the war and shared examples of successful adaptation.

Igor Koval, secretary of the Odesa City Council, conveyed greetings from the mayor, Gennadiy Trukhanov. His address emphasized that this space symbolizes resilience and business growth even in the most challenging conditions. Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the regional economy and a driving force for community recovery, yet they often suffer the most from military actions. Therefore, such initiatives hold special significance.

Maksym Boryda, the project manager for economic policy and private sector development of UNDP in Ukraine, emphasized that this opening is just the first step. The main goal is to fill the space with meaningful activities and develop a network of hubs that interact with each other and other business support formats.

The Business Hub in Odesa was opened by the All-Ukrainian Professional Association of Private Employers with the assistance of the UN Development Program in Ukraine and financial support from the Government of Japan within the framework of the project "Transformational Recovery for the Safety of People in Ukraine."