Ukrainian displaced women entrepreneurs in EU countries: Pathways to inclusion in the European business environment

Abstract

This article explores the challenges and opportunities that Ukrainian women-led and relocated businesses face. It aims to investigate the integration strategies of Ukrainian displaced women entrepreneurs into the EU business environment.

A total of 50 in-depth interviews were conducted with Ukrainian women who relocated their businesses to EU countries due to the Russian war in Ukraine. The interviewees from 10 EU countries with the largest number of Ukrainian war migrants represented micro-businesses in the service industries. For displaced women entrepreneurs, age is not the main obstacle to integration. Other barriers, which are the same for individual migrants, are language barriers, financial difficulties, socio-cultural adaptation, as well as differences in standards and certification. Women entrepreneurs adapt faster to the new environment. Integration programs for displaced women entrepreneurs should be separated from general programs that will be set up to adapt to the new business environment. Accordingly, other stakeholders should be involved in the implementation of such programs, particularly those that are set up to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This research will be useful for policymakers, government agencies, and international organizations working on the integration and economic inclusion of forcibly displaced migrants. It will also benefit NGOs and community initiatives focused on supporting displaced women entrepreneurs. Furthermore, business incubators, investors, and chambers of commerce in host countries can use these insights to develop targeted programs promoting the successful adaptation and growth of businesses led by people with temporary protection status.