The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a call for applications for a new grant programme in the State Agrarian Registry (SAR) to support small-scale growers and winemakers in Odeska oblast, EastFruit informs. The initiative is implemented with the financial support of the Government of Italy in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s wine sector has long faced challenges such as outdated technology, insufficient investment in innovation, and limited access to quality planting material. The full-scale war has further deepened these problems, leading to the loss of vineyard areas, infrastructure damage, and rising production costs.
The new FAO programme in SAR aims to address these challenges and strengthen Ukraine’s wine sector by expanding access to modern equipment, improved planting materials, and technical expertise, while promoting market-based approaches that enable the long-term growth of small-scale producers.
“This initiative is another step in our long-standing cooperation with the Government of Ukraine to strengthen rural economies and promote recovery through agrifood value chains,” said Shakhnoza Muminova, Head of the FAO Office in Ukraine. “Through this programme, we aim to ensure that communities in southern Ukraine can rebuild their livelihoods and continue producing what they know best. Supporting small-scale winemakers means preserving local traditions and creating a foundation for sustainable growth.”
Registered winegrowers and winemakers cultivating between 2 and 50 hectares of vineyards in Odeska oblast are invited to submit their applications through the State Agrarian Registry (SAR) by 17 November 2025. Selected applicants will receive grant assistance ranging from $10 000 to $ 25 000, depending on production volumes and substantiated needs.
In addition to financial support, the project will provide technical assistance, capacity development, and training opportunities, including support in implementing Protected Geographical Indication systems to enhance competitiveness in domestic and international markets.
“We are grateful to FAO and the Government of Italy for their consistent support to Ukraine’s agricultural recovery. Such partnerships bring real value to local producers – helping them restore production, create new jobs, and open additional opportunities for export development. This is exactly the kind of cooperation that drives sustainable economic growth of the agricultural sector and the Ukrainian economy as a whole,” said Denys Bashlyk, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.
The grant scheme is part of a broader FAO initiative implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine to strengthen market-oriented recovery and resilience of rural communities. This initiative works alongside and expands an EU-funded matching grant mechanism that supports small-scale agricultural producers and agri-enterprises, generating knowledge and models for future rural development programmes. By focusing on small-scale winegrowers in Odeska oblast, the project promotes sustainable production, creates employment opportunities, and contributes to the long-term recovery and modernization of Ukraine’s agricultural sector.
Useful materials:
· Instructions for registration in the SAR
· Instructions on how to log in to the SAR and edit your personal data
Contact information:
· SAR contact center: +38 044 339 9215; [email protected]
· FAO hotline: +38 099 090 7582; +38 068 318 0943; [email protected]
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