Oschadbank and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs Will Jointly Develop a Network of State-Run Spaces for Veterans

Oschadbank and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine have signed a memorandum of strategic partnership. They will jointly develop a network of state-run spaces for veterans as modern, barrier-free infrastructure to support veterans, their family members, the families of fallen Defenders of Ukraine, and will implement joint programs for social adaptation, financial inclusion, employment, career transition, and reintegration into civilian life.

The project to develop spaces for veterans specifically provides assistance to veterans, supporting them in their transition from military service to civilian life, including help with obtaining benefits, housing, medical services, employment, and retraining, as well as consultations with lawyers, psychologists, and social workers. The spaces for veterans will be equipped with adaptive fitness and sports facilities, and will also serve as venues for educational events. Veterans, their families, and their loved ones will receive information here about all available government and local support programs, including those for setting up their own businesses.

“For Oschadbank, participation in this project represents a strategic partnership and ensures a comprehensive ‘people-centered’ approach in all our projects, products, and services. This shifts the focus to opportunities and strengths and fosters collaboration that allows the potential of both individuals and institutions to be realized with the best possible results. This is the principle of accessibility, in the implementation of which we are perhaps the most experienced on the market and one that we plan to apply in partnership with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine. “Our goal is to help create spaces for veterans that will serve as effective centers for the rehabilitation, adaptation, and development of veterans,” emphasized Anton Tiutiun, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Oschadbank.

In implementing this partnership, Oschadbank will also draw on its long-standing experience of cooperation with municipalities, including in infrastructure development and the implementation of joint special-purpose programs. Local communities will be a key factor in maintaining and developing these veteran spaces.

The signed document has formalized the parties’ long-term cooperation, focused on the actual needs of the veteran community.  In particular, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine has planned to create a network of spaces for veterans in each of the 136 districts, in every regional center, in Kyiv city, and in Sevastopol (once it is de-occupied).

Seven spaces for veterans are being built, and the first one will start operating this year in Kryvyi Rih. They're being designed using a reusable blueprint, which simplifies the process and reduces the cost of developing construction documents.

All spaces will feature a unified exterior and interior design, as well as functional layouts that are fully compliant with accessibility requirements.

In addition to its experience in implementing infrastructure, service, and communication accessibility, Oschadbank intends to leverage its educational expertise. For example, Oschadbank’s team has experience conducting accessibility training for local government specialists. In addition, the Bank was among the first to launch special-purpose programs to support veteran-owned businesses and offers not only a range of products but is also willing to share its expertise on accessing bank financing and scaling up businesses.

Creating conditions for the financial and social integration of veterans is an integral part of the comprehensive accessibility strategy that Oschadbank has been consistently implementing at all levels of its operations for over 12 years. As part of this program, support for veteran entrepreneurship is becoming a fundamental prerequisite for developing an inclusive business environment in Ukraine.

In particular, under its “Business 4.5.0” program, Oschadbank has granted 127 loans totaling UAH 210 million. The average loan amount exceeded UAH 1.6 million per project.