Project Description
The proposed Programme aims to provide support for innovation-driven investments in the agrifood sector of Ukraine – pivotal for the resilience and recovery of the national economy and for the country’s EU integration. Ukraine’s agrifood sector is a key contributor to the national economy as well as national and global food security. The sector has faced severe disruption due to the war, underscoring the urgent need for targeted, high-impact solutions. Investing in innovation can help Ukraine’s food and agricultural sector recover by increasing efficiency and productivity, enhancing climate resilience, unlocking new markets and business opportunities, and attracting sustainable finance. These investments are not only critical for short-term recovery but also for building a resilient, competitive and future-proof food system.
The EBRD is uniquely positioned to catalyse this transformation, with its orientation toward private sector development and a strong pipeline of investments in the sector. Leveraging its financial instruments, policy engagement, and strategic partnerships, the Bank can help turn innovation into real-world impact.
The Programme will focus on targeted sector development and business support. It will combine sector-specific intelligence with opportunity mapping to guide investment decisions, enhance innovation ecosystems, and enable linkages between businesses and leading international research and development institutions to strengthen innovation capabilities. The Programme will focus on high-potential areas that are particularly relevant for Ukraine, such as alternative proteins and sustainable intensification. By supporting businesses already exploring these areas, the programme will enable the design and implementation of new investment projects that contribute to Ukraine’s recovery while driving long-term transformation of the agrifood sector.
The EBRD will engage with a consultant to implement the Programme as follows:
• Scoping – research and sector diagnostics on the novel areas of opportunity to determine the most high-potential areas to focus on within the Programme activities.
• Innovation opportunity mapping – research to identify and assess specific points of entry within the selected areas of opportunity, where innovation-driven investments can deliver the greatest impact economically, and also for recovery, competitiveness, and EU integration. Mapping will also include a high-level policy alignment review to identify how innovative agrifood tech could potentially help Ukrainian agribusinesses comply with food safety, sustainability, and digital trade requirements.
• Knowledge sharing and dissemination of findings –innovation opportunities will be showcased to Ukrainian agribusiness companies during a knowledge sharing event organised by the consultant, which will facilitate engagement between innovation drivers (researchers, technology providers, startups) and established corporate businesses through innovation matchmaking.
• Innovation screening of Ukrainian agribusinesses – innovation screening of selected businesses in Ukraine will be conducted to assess opportunities for innovation along their business processes. Such screening may include assessment of current and optimal performance in key business areas, review of technical capabilities, innovation benchmarking, regulatory compliance and market readiness.
• Tailored Recommendations – actionable advice to the EBRD and selected Ukrainian agribusinesses will be delivered for opportunities for investments in innovation.
Any competitive selections for business opportunities relating to this project will be published on the EBRD’s website: Consultancy Procurement Opportunities.
