Aspen Institute Kyiv Held a Dialogue on the Future of Ukrainian SMEs Towards 2035
On 23 September, Aspen Institute Kyiv held the Aspen Dialogue “Ukraine 2035: A Strategic Choice for an Entrepreneurial Future” as part of the Government and Business Forum “Ukraine’s SMEs 2035: The Future of Ukraine’s Entrepreneurial Economy.”
The conversation centred on what Ukrainian small and medium-sized businesses should look like in 2035 and what decisions need to be made today to enable entrepreneurs not only to adapt to crises, but also to plan, invest, and grow.
The dialogue drew on the findings of the foresight study “Ukraine 2035: A Vision for SMEs in a Competitive Entrepreneurial Economy,” facilitated by the Coalition of Business Communities for the Modernization of Ukraine.
At the same time, the conversation went beyond a vision of entrepreneurship nine years from now. Participants discussed the factors that already limit businesses’ ability to plan for the longer term: the war and security uncertainty, shortages of skilled workers, regulatory barriers, and short planning horizons.
One of the recurring themes was the role of small and medium-sized businesses, which extends far beyond economic indicators. Participants discussed SMEs as an essential part of community life: they provide jobs and local services, sustain connections between people, and contribute to communities’ ability to remain viable even during wartime.
The conversation also highlighted the need to move from addressing the individual problems of particular businesses towards working together on systemic change. This requires entrepreneurs to join forces, develop shared positions, and adopt a longer-term approach to planning.
Another important topic was the relationship between businesses and the state. Entrepreneurs expect the state, above all, to provide clear and predictable rules, protect property rights, and create an environment in which businesses do not have to devote significant resources to overcoming administrative barriers.
At the same time, participants also discussed the responsibility of the business community itself, including the role of strong business associations that can not only respond to the immediate concerns of their members, but also represent shared interests and contribute to systemic changes in the rules governing the business environment.
The dialogue also addressed human capital and education, women’s and veteran entrepreneurship, access to finance, the development of creative industries, and the impact of artificial intelligence on emerging business models.
Participants also reflected on the interdependence of small, medium-sized, and large businesses. Rather than existing as separate economies, they form a single ecosystem — from local suppliers and service providers to infrastructure and large-scale production.
In this context, the 2035 horizon became not only a way to articulate a vision for the future, but also an opportunity to pose a practical question for the present: what decisions need to be made now so that Ukrainian businesses can not only adapt to the next crisis, but also plan, invest, and grow?
The dialogue was moderated by Denys Poltavets, Director of Programme Development at Aspen Institute Kyiv, and Taras Shevchenko, Founder of the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law. The event was coordinated by Olena Fomina, Director of Programme Areas at Aspen Institute Kyiv.
The event was held as part of the project “Strengthening Membership-Based Business Organisations of Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Ukraine: Phase III,” implemented by UNDP in Ukraine in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Environment of Ukraine, with the support of Switzerland.
