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Women building a sustainable future: green business begins to sprout in Ukraine |


Valentina and Tetiana Denysenko were forced to flee Donetsk in eastern Ukraine after armed conflict broke out there seven years ago. They moved to the Kharkiv region and set up a small farm, Green for You, where they grew lettuce, herbs and microgreens – the young shoots were harvested as soon as they started growing. Every month, restaurants order 300 kg of sister’s products.


IOM helped sisters Valentyna and Tetiana Denysenko start a small gardening business.  Now, they supply restaurants with salad herbs and probiotic ice cream.  Photo: Green for You

Photo: Green for You

IOM helped sisters Valentyna and Tetiana Denysenko start a small gardening business. Now, they supply restaurants with salad herbs and probiotic ice cream. Photo: Green for You

‘Svidomo Made’ in Ukraine

This is an example of the types of projects and initiatives supported by the United Nations migration agency (IOM), through its economic empowerment program, in 2016 provided you with Green equipment.

To create a network of similarly responsible businesses, IOM has launched a pilot project called “Sustainable Manufacturing in Ukraine (Svidomo Implemented)” In November 2020, led to the development of the first voluntary Corporate Sustainability Standard for SMEs in the country.

Standards take into account Principles of the UN Global Compact – including human rights protection, ethical labor practices, environmental responsibility and anti-corruption – international best practices and national legislation.

In a recent survey, a quarter of Ukrainian consumers polled said they regularly refuse to buy a brand’s products if they disagree with its stance on social issues. and environment. At the same time, half of the respondents said that the most important aspect of corporate social responsibility is the protection of employee rights and good working conditions, while a third said that sustainability and Environmental protection is important.

Research also shows that 75% of SMB leaders are willing to accept the voluntary Corporate Sustainability Standard because its principles reflect their own values.


Thanks to the Svidomo Made project, Ukrainian consumers have learned more about innovative businesses that support eco-friendly solutions, such as the production of organic plant-based straws.

Photo: Made in Ukraine

Thanks to the Svidomo Made project, Ukrainian consumers have learned more about innovative businesses that support eco-friendly solutions, such as the production of organic plant-based straws.

Big impact of small business

Through the Svidomo Made project, consumers in Ukraine have become more aware of innovative businesses that support sustainable solutions. Mr. Nguyen, Head of the National IOM Office in Ukraine, said: “The term “business sustainability” is often associated with large brands and corporations. “People think it has little to do with micro, small and medium businesses. However, they are the driving force behind Ukraine’s economic development, providing more than half of the country’s GDP. So while the impact of a micro or small business may seem small, their combined impact can be huge.”

For Valentina Denysenko of Green for You, the small business she runs with her sister, the goal is to support sustainable consumption and production, using only eco-friendly packaging and zero-waste technology , while helping children understand why it’s important to learn about the world around them.

“We will be launching a pilot project in two schools and helping children create urban farms in the classroom,” she said. “The smartphone generation doesn’t know how plants grow, or how they get on supermarket shelves. We wanted to educate and change their eating habits, by explaining that adding salads and microgreens to their daily diet is good for their health.”

This story is part of the United Nations Multimedia News series on outstanding initiatives by women at the forefront for a more equitable, sustainable future, published before this year. International Women’s Day on March 8th.



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