At the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the implementation of the international Canadian HONOR project was discussed. The project focuses on the development of family farms, agricultural cooperatives, and support for women entrepreneurs in rural areas.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister Denys Bashlyk, CEO of the Canadian organization SOCODEVI Jean-Philippe Marcoux, HONOR project leader in Ukraine Erin Mackie, representatives of relevant departments of the Ministry of Economy, as well as experts and specialists from advisory networks.
The HONOR project is planned for 7 years (2025–2032) with a total budget of 20 million Canadian dollars (over 550 million UAH). Its main goal is to strengthen the resilience of rural communities, support cooperative development, improve the efficiency of family farms, promote agro-processing and value creation, and expand economic opportunities for women in rural areas.
A particular focus of the project is helping farmers and cooperatives access new markets. This includes preparing for export to the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada by improving quality standards, developing processing capabilities, and introducing modern technologies and business practices.
It is expected that more than 50 cooperatives and over 5,000 farmers and their family members will receive support in areas such as dairy farming, berry growing, vegetable cultivation, beekeeping, and grain production. Assistance will include training programs, advisory services, management skill development, implementation of innovative farming approaches, and strengthening entrepreneurial capacity.
“Cooperative development is one of the practical tools for strengthening the resilience of rural communities, supporting small and medium agricultural producers, and creating local value. It is important for us that international projects like HONOR are closely aligned with state policy and genuinely strengthen Ukrainian communities and the cooperative movement. This is how long-term economic capacity in rural areas is built, sustainable community development is ensured, and the well-being of people in villages grows,” emphasized Deputy Minister Denys Bashlyk.
During the meeting, participants also discussed the current state of the cooperative movement in Ukraine, key challenges in the sector, and next steps for collaboration. Special attention was given to preparations for the Annual Cooperative Conference, in which representatives of the Ministry of Economy are expected to participate.
HONOR (Harnessing Opportunities for Networks and Organizational Resilience) is an international technical assistance project implemented in Ukraine by the Canadian organization SOCODEVI with funding from the Government of Canada. The project is carried out in partnership with relevant Ukrainian organizations and covers several regions of Ukraine, operating through a system of training, institutional, and advisory components.
