USE OF GRANT INSTRUMENTS OF THE STATE PROGRAM OF SUPPORT FOR EROBOT ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR STRENGTHENING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF BUSINESS ON THE EXAMPLE OF MSME: PROSPECTS AND DIFFICULTIES

Abstract

The article examines the main opportunities for increasing business competitiveness that arise as a result of the involvement of grant instruments of the state entrepreneurship support program eRobota, which began its operation in July 2022. The main advantages of government grant support for starting one's own business and prospects for the development of an existing business are outlined. The prospects of opening a new business were considered using the examples of entrepreneurs who have already received grant funding from the state program. Work on: purchase of equipment, furniture, purchase of licensed software, domestic animals and poultry, perennial plantings, seedlings, seed material, raw materials, materials, goods and services related to business plan implementation, equipment leasing, marketing and advertising services, non-residential premises and equipment rental. The success stories of enterprises that benefited from the grant support of the government program in the direction of "Own business" and "New level" were demonstrated. The process of attracting grant resources by representatives of small and medium-sized businesses of Ukraine was analyzed, and the main difficulties in the way of implementation of grant projects were identified. The main reasons for such difficulties are emphasized. In particular: it is not possible to start the planned project activities on time and as a result – an increase in the prices of goods and services, as well as the need to replace counterparties, the occurrence of unforeseen costs during the implementation of the grant project and the need to finance them from alternative sources. It was concluded that the stories of the grant recipients demonstrate the increase in business competitiveness in various spheres: retail and wholesale trade, production and processing sphere, service sphere. Despite a number of difficulties that arise in the process of implementing grant projects, entrepreneurs manage to significantly improve their business processes, save and create new jobs, reach a new level of profitability, which can be considered one of the subjective indicators of achieving a positive effect from the process of attracting state grants.