Western NIS Enterprise Fund

TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF ORDINARY PEOPLE IN UKRAINE AND MOLDOVA

Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF) is a $285 million regional fund, a pioneer in Ukraine and Moldova with over 29 years of successful experience in investing in small and medium-sized companies. WNISEF was funded by the U.S. government via the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Since its inception, WNISEF’s cumulative investments total over $188 million to 136 companies employing around 26,000 people and made it possible to unlock $2.3 billion for companies in Ukraine and Moldova.

In 2015 WNISEF has launched a $35 million legacy program focused on export promotion, local economic development, impact investing and economic leadership.

Mission

WNISEF is funding innovative, high-impact, reform focused programs and aims to support Ukraine and Moldova at this critical period by developing sound economic policy and leadership.

Governance

WNISEF is governed by an independent Board of Directors comprised of leading representatives of the U.S. business community. WNISEF was established by the U.S. Congress and funded by the U.S. government via USAID.

We believe that these funds will be the catalyst that will expedite the transformative process and cement its results for the longer term – until ordinary people feel a tangible impact on their lives and join the ranks of reformers.

Jaroslawa Zelinsky Johnson

President and CEO of Western NIS Enterprise Fund

News

Everyone Should Contribute To Rebuilding: Community Building Centers Will Be Created In Ten ATCs

September 15, 2023

Lviv hosted a workshop for ten communities from various regions of Ukraine that won the grants to create community building centers. With grants provided by the Western NIS Enterprise Fund and Cedos, each community will receive up to UAH 1,000,000 to open such centers.

Free Mentorship Project for Startups Launched – Entrepreneurship in Residence Program in Moldova

August 09, 2023

On Wednesday, August 2nd, XY Partners, with the financial support of the Western NIS Enterprise Fund, launched the Entrepreneurship in Residence Program in Moldova (EIR), a remarkable opportunity for the development of startups in Moldova. Within the project, 12 exceptional mentors from the diaspora will return home to share their experience and knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship with local startups. The registration deadline for founders is August 15th.

Western NIS Enterprise Fund resumes its Low-Interest Loan Program and in partnership with Oschadbank to provide a loan at 4% per annum to the social enterprise Smachni Spravy

August 09, 2023

Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF) and Oschadbank are pleased to announce the resumption of loan services to social enterprises with terms beating those in 2021. The loan rate will now be 4-8% per annum, depending on the type of collateral. The social enterprise Smachni Spravy LLC, based in the Kyiv region, received its third loan as part of a joint initiative of WNISEF and Oschadbank, which showcases fruitful cooperation and mutual interest in the development of social entrepreneurship.

COMMUNITY BUILDING CENTERS FOR ATC DEVELOPMENT: GRANTS FROM WESTERN NIS ENTERPRISE FUND AND CEDOS

July 05, 2023

Cedos and the Western NIS Enterprise Fund are announcing a grant competition for amalgamated territorial communities (ATCs) to create or renovate community building centers. The main goal is involvement (participation) and development of communities by uniting people, communicating, supporting each other, participating in impactful initiatives of the community, and planning for the future together. The centers should be fully accessible spaces.

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