A new grant program to support small winemakers and winemakers has officially launched in the Odessa region. From October 28, 2025, the State Agrarian Register (DAR) began accepting applications, which will last until November 17 inclusive. The program is aimed at developing local winemaking, increasing the competitiveness of farmers and stimulating the sustainable development of rural communities.

As reported by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the initiative is being implemented in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine. Financial support is provided by the Italian government, which has been supporting Ukrainian producers within the framework of FAO agricultural programs for several years in a row.

Winemakers and winemakers who meet certain conditions can participate in the competition. In particular, applicants must be registered in the State Agrarian Register, and also cultivate from 2 to 50 hectares of vineyards located in the Odessa region. Preference will be given to those farms that are already engaged in production activities, but need to modernize equipment or expand capacity.

Selected participants will receive grant support in the amount of 10,000 to 25,000 US dollars. The specific amount of funding will depend on the scale of the enterprise's activities, the level of justification of the business plan and planned expenses. The funds can be used to purchase technological equipment, high-quality planting material, expand production areas or develop marketing strategies.

According to the Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, Denys Bashlyk, such support is important for the restoration of the agricultural potential of the southern region. “Such partnership programs bring real benefits to local producers — they help restore production, create jobs and open up new opportunities for exports. This is an incentive for sustainable economic growth not only for the agricultural sector, but also for Ukraine as a whole,” the official emphasized.

Head of the FAO Office in Ukraine Shakhnoza Muminova emphasized that the grant initiative is designed to strengthen the rural economy through the development of agri-food value-added chains. In her opinion, expanding opportunities for small winemakers will contribute to improving the quality of Ukrainian products and strengthening their positions in international markets.

Thus, the grant program of the FAO and the Ministry of Economy creates new prospects for winemakers of the Odessa region, providing them not only with financial assistance, but also with the opportunity to move to a qualitatively new level of production.