On October 31, 2024, the conference “Adapting the International Methodology of Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) in Assessing Ukraine’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” was successfully held in Kyiv, both in person at the Hotel “Kyiv” and online via Zoom.
Organized within the framework of the Inclusive Economy Project, this important event brought together leading experts, policymakers, and researchers to discuss Ukraine’s integration into the international GEM network and share insights from both Ukrainian and global experiences in ecosystem research.
Keynote Speakers and Opening Remarks
Opening remarks were delivered by:
- Rachel Keen, Head of Social Recovery and Inclusion, British Embassy in Ukraine (online)
- Tetiana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine (online)
- Olha Gvozdyova, Advisor, Entrepreneurship and Export Development Office
- Svitlana Harashchenko, Head of the Inclusive Economy Project
The conference was moderated by Prof. Nataliia Meshko, Director of ICHE, Doctor of Sciences, and Head of Marketing and International Management at Oles Honchar Dnipro National University.
🌍 International and National Perspectives
The event featured several presentations and panel discussions, including:
- Governmental Perspectives were presented by Daria Androniina (Ministry of Economy of Ukraine) and Olha Gvozdyova, highlighting national entrepreneurship support programs.
- Aileen Ionescu-Somers, PhD, Executive Director of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (UK), who presented on Ukraine’s entry into the GEM global community and its unique value.
- Viktoriia Apalkova, GEM Switzerland team member and Associate Professor at the School of Management Fribourg (Switzerland), shared Swiss GEM practices and lessons applicable to Ukraine’s wartime context.
🔍 Research and Practical Insights
Experts from Ukraine’s leading universities contributed deep insights into GEM methodology and ecosystem evaluation:
- Kateryna Doroshkevych (Lviv Polytechnic) addressed the entrepreneurial ecosystem in wartime conditions.
- Vasyl Namonok (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv) discussed practical application of GEM tools in Ukraine.
- Olha Shubina (Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) presented active support programs.
- Vladyslav Peresolyak (Uzhhorod National University) shared outcomes of business relocation programs.
🎯 Inclusivity and Gender in Entrepreneurship
The final thematic block included a vital conversation on inclusive entrepreneurship:
- Myroslava Babak, GESI expert, and
- Yaroslava Sorokopud, rural women’s entrepreneurship manager, discussed gender and social inclusion in Ukraine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
💬 Closing Remarks
The event concluded with a Q&A session, reflections, and informal networking over coffee.
We are deeply grateful to UK International Development / Good Governance Fund, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, and Abt Global for their continued support of GEM research in Ukraine.
📊 The conference confirmed the importance of GEM data in shaping evidence-based entrepreneurship policy and demonstrated the strength of Ukraine’s growing research and innovation community—even in the face of war.
➡️ For more information about GEM in Ukraine, visit: https://gemukraine.org.ua
📥 Stay tuned for a full conference report and recording.