Materials and News "EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine" (2021)
Exploring the Experience of European Countries Together: Behind the Scenes and Insights from Business Indices
In February 2021, as part of the EU Jean Monnet project “EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE), Oleksii Lyulyov and Tetyana Pimonenko, at the invitation of the NGO “Center for Civic Education and Business Initiatives,” conducted a seminar for entrepreneurs in Sumy on the topic “The Evaluation of the Ease of Doing Business Index in Ukraine and their Comparison with Other EU Countries.”
20 participants of the event familiarized themselves with the directions of reforms in the small and medium-sized business sector in EU countries and had the opportunity to discuss the peculiarities of the Ease of Doing Business Index in Ukraine.
The seminar sparked numerous questions from the audience and lively discussions.
EU and Ukrainian Policies for Supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
On February 2, 2021, an open lecture on the topic “EU and Ukraine Policies for Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises” took place. Invited by the Department of Economics, Enterprises, and Business Administration, the lecture on EU entrepreneurship support policies was delivered by Oleksii Lyulyov, a Ph.D. in Economics, and Tetyana Pimonenko, a Ph.D. in Economics and Fulbright Alumna.
Oleksii Lyulyov and Tetyana Pimonenko provided students (15 BA) with insights into:
1. Ukraine’s policy for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including key documents regulating the relationship between the government and SMEs and sources of support for SMEs in Ukraine.
2. EU policies in the realm of entrepreneurship, focusing on the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU and opportunities for Ukrainian SMEs within the context of the agreement with the EU.
This event was organized within the framework of the EU Jean Monnet project “EU Policy for SMEs: Perspectives and Challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE).
We appreciate the sharing of knowledge and valuable practical experience with the student community!
The Fundamentals of Sustainable Development: EU Practices in the Context of Green Entrepreneurship: Lecture
On February 9th, Ph.D., Head of the Marketing Department Oleksiy Lyulyov, and Ph.D., Associate Professor of the Marketing Department Tetyana Pimonenko delivered a lecture on ‘Fundamentals of Sustainable Development: EU Practice in the Context of Green Entrepreneurship’ to 23 participants of the Master’s degree program. Within the framework of this lecture, the following topics were discussed: European trends in investing in the development and implementation of ‘clean’ technologies; the level of priority of ‘green’ investment in the social consciousness of EU citizens.
The lecture was provided as part of the EU Jean Monnet project ‘EU Policy for SMEs: Perspectives and Challenges for Ukraine’ (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE).
Green Entrepreneurship: From Idea to Results
On February 23, 2021 in an online format, the “Green Entrepreneurship” forum was conducted, providing 60 students in Sumy with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the essence of green entrepreneurship, its developmental history, and concepts. The event featured speakers Dr. Oleksii Lyulyov, Head of the Marketing Department, and Dr. Tetyana Pimonenko, Associate Professor of the Marketing Department.
Following the theoretical segment, participants formed teams, developed ideas for green entrepreneurship, and presented them during a pitching session. The authors of the five most compelling social business concepts received valuable gifts.
This opportunity was made possible by the EU Jean Monnet project “EU Policy for SMEs: Perspectives and Challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE).
Training on the course "EU policy for small and medium enterprises"
On 1-30 March 2021, a series of training on “Green Business: the experience of EU countries for Ukraine” was launched as part of the EU policy for small and medium enterprises course. The training consisted of several stages. Thus, at the first stage, Tetyana Pimonenko and Oleksiy Lyulyov spoke about the specifics and features of green entrepreneurship, the available tools to stimulate the development of green business in EU countries. In the second stage, all participants were divided into teams. Each team brought together bachelor, master and PhD students. In the second phase, participants had to propose mechanisms for developing green business in Ukraine, based on the best practices of EU countries. At the third stage – the teams presented their results for invited entrepreneurs. According to the results, students received certificates in accordance with their achievements during their studies. All training was implemented within the project “EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE).
PUBLIC LECTURE "SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: EU EXPERIENCE"
On 12 April 2021, Tetyana Pimonenko and Oleksii Lyulyov held an open public lecture on social entrepreneurship development in the EU for 45 (BA, MA and PhD) students within the project “EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE). Moreover, the Poland experts were invited to present the EU experience in developing social entrepreneurship, considering requirements of sustainable development.
The speakers presented corporate social responsibility models, outlined the main ethical issues of doing business in a highly competitive environment. In the lecture framework, the participants were informed of the employer’s responsibilities and the negative consequences of contravention of business ethics principles. The audience members participated in the active discussion and formed a socially responsible businessman’s profile under the current conditions.
EU Business-friendly environment
- supporting instruments to develop small and medium enterprises;
- ways to improve the business environment.
Business in the Focus of the European Union: Webinar
5th of May 2021 the webinar on “Business in the Focus of the European Union: Success Stories” took place at Sumy State University for 25 students from colleges and technical schools. The following topics were covered:
– Personal qualities of an entrepreneur and their role in ensuring the success of entrepreneurial activities.
– Methods for assessing one’s own entrepreneurial abilities.
– Notable young entrepreneurs in the EU and Ukraine. Who are they?
The webinar structure included a lecture with slides, a PDF presentation, and additional author information on the webinar topic.
Speakers: Oleksii Lyulyov – Head of the Marketing Department; Tetiana Pimonenko – Associate Professor of the Marketing Department.
The webinar was conducted within the framework of the EU Jean Monnet project “EU Policy for SMEs: Perspectives and Challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE).
Workshop in the framework of Jean Monnet Module!
- EU opportunities for business
- Cooperation between EU and Ukraine: the first step for business
- Women in business: the way to success
- Green business: EU leaders
- Youth values in the modern life
- Unemployment and self-employment among youth: features and opportunities.
Jean Monnet Module: PLAQUE
The academic year begins with honorary awards from the Erasmus Office to implement Jean Monnet Module “EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE). This project’s main goal is to provide and share the knowledge of EU policy (ethics, culture, mechanisms, legislation and principals, etc.) to develop and support SMEs as a core element of economic development through developed three modules and annual summer training.
Course "EU Business Values and Ethics": developed syllabus
Holders of Jean Monnet Module «EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine» (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE) Tetyana Pimonenko and Oleksiy Lyulyov developed a syllabus on the course “EU Business Values and Ethics” taught to students of all specialities.
Starting the Course "EU Business Values and Ethics"
- values and ethics of running the business in the EU and Ukraine;
- entrepreneurial skills and successful cases of business ideas implementation;
- gender equality in business in the EU and Ukraine;
- successful cases of women entrepreneurs.
Workshop «Leadership and Entrepreneurial Competence»
For students from the marketing speciality, October was full of training from entrepreneurs. Thus, on October 10, 2021, under the course “EU Business Values and Ethics” (“EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO- MODULE)), the invited speaker – entrepreneur Volodymyr Nesterenko conducted a training “Leadership: get out of the comfort zone.” Students tried to assess their entrepreneurial abilities and try on the role of leader in the team.
At the beginning of the training, the students used the online platform Mentimeter to form the semantic core of the entrepreneur’s leadership competence. Afterwards, as part of the team, everyone tried to show the appropriate entrepreneur’s leadership competence considering the received case.
Students managed to work on such cases as: “Dismiss a best friend”, “Convince that a new idea is profitable”, “Negotiating with investors”, “Find a business partner from the EU”.
It will be recalled that after the complete course “EU Business Values and Ethics”, all students will receive certificates relevant to their results.
EU Business-friendly environment
- supporting instruments to develop small and medium enterprises;
- ways to improve the business environment.
At the Marketing Department, a series of open lectures on the topic "Ukrainian SMEs as an Enabler of Economic Growth: Lessons from the EU" has been initiated within the framework of the European Jean Monnet Module
For the master’s students of the programs “Entrepreneurship, Trade, and Business Administration,” “Marketing,” and “Management” at the BIEM Institute of Sumy State University (total 35 students), a lecture on “Ukrainian SMEs as an Enabler of Economic Growth: Lessons from the EU” was conducted by the instructors of the Marketing Department, Oleksii Lyulyov and Tetyana Pimonenko, on November 2, 2021. Such lectures are planned to be held weekly in an online format via the link https://meet.google.com/pqr-phkj-mbd.
This lecture marked the beginning of a series of lectures for graduate students as part of the EU Jean Monnet project “EU Policy for SMEs: Perspectives and Challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE). These lectures will undoubtedly be of interest not only to graduate students but also to teachers and researchers.
Training "Financial supporting for SMEs: the first steps"
As part of the Jean Monnet Module, “EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE), 7 November 2021, under the course “Introduction to EU policy for small and medium enterprises” Tetyana Pimonenko and Oleksiy Lyulyov conducted training for 20 entrepreneurs from the Sumy region. They presented information about the possibility of obtaining financial support for running own business. In addition, entrepreneurs were interested in promoting their business during the pandemic and using modern digital marketing tools to promote on the Internet.
Green Entrepreneurship in Ukraine and EU Countries: New Windows
20 November 2021, within the course “EU policy for small and medium enterprises”, Sumy State University and the State Applied Science University students. S. Staszyc (Poland) discussed “Development of green entrepreneurship in Ukraine and EU countries”. This event was implemented within the project “EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE). 30 students shared their ideas for green business and developed a system of tools to promote a green lifestyle and a green mind among young people. A fruitful discussion accompanied the presentation and discussion of the participants’ ideas.
"EU policy for small and medium enterprises ": certificate
- EU business-friendly environment.
- Green entrepreneurship: EU studies for Ukraine.
- Social business: EU experience.
Development of Entrepreneurial Culture: Experience of the EU
The higher education seekers sincerely expressed their gratitude for the creative approach in organizing the lectures and for the valuable experience gained during the presentations by Oleksii Lyulyov and Tetyana Pimonenko.
Women in Business: stereotypes and new windows
In December, in the framework of the course “EU Business Values and Ethics” (under the project “EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE Webinar “Women in the Business Environment: Experiences of the EU and Ukraine” was held. The webinar combined the participants from different parts of Ukraine. Thus, more than 30 participants from Ukraine Western Ukrainian National University, National TU “Dniprov Polytechnic”, National University of Water and Environmental, Kharkiv National University of Economics, Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics, Kharkiv, Odesa National University of Economics and Sumy State University joined the webinar. Participants had the opportunity to learn about:
- Gender parity in the business environment in the EU and Ukraine: barriers and opportunities.
- Successful cases of women’s entrepreneurship.
- Lifestyle women in business.
The webinar was attended by women with experience in running their own business Victoria Makerska (flower business) and Alina Poznanska (Event Agency).
Participants had fruitful discussions on stereotypes on the women role in society and success in business. Thank you to our speakers for an exciting and rich webinar. In the end, everyone received participation certificates in the webinar “Women in the business environment: the experience of the EU and Ukraine.
Development of Women's Entrepreneurship: Path to Economic Independence and Social Security
On December 12, 2021, an online lecture on “Development of Women’s Entrepreneurship: Path to Economic Independence and Social Security” was delivered for the participants of the “Education for Life” Adult Education Center in Sumy. The lecture was conducted by Oleksii Lyulyov, the Head of the Marketing Department, and Tetyana Pimonenko, an Associate Professor of the Marketing Department at the Educational and Scientific Institute of Business, Economics, and Management at Sumy State University.
During the lecture, the speakers addressed issues related to EU support for women’s entrepreneurship in Ukraine, covering topics such as:
– How to start your own business.
– How to secure financing.
– What support entrepreneurs in Ukraine can expect from the EU.
– Successful case studies of starting a business with the help of the EU.
The lecture was conducted within the framework of the EU Jean Monnet project “EU Policy for SMEs: Perspectives and Challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE).
Traning: EU business-friendly environment
During October-December 2021, within the course “EU policy for small and medium enterprises”, students from the marketing speciality took part in a series of training on the specifics of doing business. The guest speaker Maksym Shmatok (Polisan LLC)focused on the peculiarities of working with European stakeholders. Students learned about the leading platforms of the EU and Ukraine for the support and development of small and medium enterprises and existing investment and crowdfunding platforms. All training was implemented within the project “EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE).
Success in studying the course "EU Business Values and Ethics" under the Jean Monnet Module
In December 2021, the students completed the course “EU Business Values and Ethics” within the Jean Mone Module “EU policy for SMEs: perspectives and challenges for Ukraine” (619999-EPP-1-2020-1-UA-EPPJMO-MODULE). The course contained the following theme:
- EU values and Ethics of SMEs
- Successful EU entrepreneurs
- Leadership and team
- Women in Business: EU and Ukraine
- EU and Ukrainian business sector for women: differences and opportunities
According to their results, all students received the appropriate certificates.