Most Ukrainian and Belarusian entrepreneurs in Poland don’t know that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development can cover up to 100% of the cost of their IT projects. Here’s how the program works, who is eligible, and what the application process looks like in practice.

In June 2026, the EBRD approved a grant of approximately €5,000 for one of our clients. This means the entire net cost of her project is covered by the bank. She only has to pay VAT.

An online children’s bedding store in Warsaw. A small business. A limited budget. Nothing extraordinary. Just an entrepreneur who found out about the right funding program at the right time.

At DigiWay, we are certified EBRD partners. I’ve seen this process from the inside. Every time I tell other business owners about it, I hear the same reaction: “Seriously? Why didn’t I know about this?“

Because almost nobody talks about it. Let’s change that.

What Is EBRD and Why Should You Care?

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an international financial institution that supports private-sector development in emerging and transition economies. One of its initiatives is the Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) program, which reimburses part of the cost of professional consulting and business services for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This is not a loan. It is a non-repayable grant. The money transferred by the bank to finance your project never has to be paid back.

The question I hear most often is: “Wait… so you’re saying it’s simply free money?” Yes. Exactly. The program has existed for more than 25 years. In Poland, there are currently two separate funding programs—one for Ukrainian entrepreneurs and another for Belarusian entrepreneurs. The rules are different, so let’s look at each of them separately.

Program for Ukrainians: 100% Net Cost Reimbursement

Who Can Apply?

The program is available to Ukrainian citizens who operate a business in Poland. The main requirements are:

  • your business is legally registered in Poland (Sp. z o.o., sole proprietorship, etc.);
  • the owner has temporary protection or refugee status (PESEL UKR, CUKR, or an equivalent document);
  • the business has financial records for the previous two years (tax returns, KPiR, or similar accounting documentation).

How Much Does the Grant Cover?

The EBRD reimburses 100% of the project’s net cost. The client only pays VAT (23% in Poland).

The maximum grant amount is €30,000. Most approved projects are worth between €5,000 and €15,000. A single business may receive funding for multiple projects.

Example: a project worth €5,000 net will cost you only €1,150. A website, CRM system, or web application can therefore be developed for roughly 23% of its actual market price.

What Can the Grant Be Used For?

The program finances professional business services. Eligible areas include:

  • IT and digital transformation: websites, web applications, corporate portals, CRM, ERP, and custom software systems;
  • Marketing: market research, branding, marketing strategies, and digital solutions;
  • Business strategy: strategic planning and export development;
  • Operational efficiency: process optimization and supply chain management;
  • Organizational development: company structure, HR systems, and employee motivation;
  • Financial management: management accounting and implementation of international reporting standards;
  • Quality management: preparation for ISO certification and other international quality standards.

What Is NOT Covered?

  • equipment and hardware purchases;
  • operating expenses, including salaries, rent, and utilities;
  • companies operating in the alcohol, tobacco, gambling, defense, or financial services industries.

Program for Belarusians: 70% Net Cost Reimbursement

A separate program is available for Belarusian entrepreneurs operating in Europe — EBRD ASB Belarus Abroad. It was launched in 2022 with €4 million in funding from the European Union to support relocated Belarusian businesses.

Who Can Apply?

  • More than 50% of the company must be owned by Belarusian citizens.
  • The business must be registered in an EBRD country of operation (Poland qualifies), not in Belarus or Russia.
  • The majority owner must not have active businesses in Belarus.
  • The company must have been operating for at least three months.
  • The business must employ no more than 250 people.
  • Annual turnover must not exceed €50 million.
  • The company must have a clean business reputation.

How Much Does the Grant Cover?

The program covers 70% of the project’s net cost. The remaining 30% of the net amount plus VAT is paid by the client.

The maximum total grant amount is up to €30,000. A typical project ranges between €10,000 and €15,000. For example, on a €10,000 net project, you save €7,000. Your actual financial contribution is approximately 36–38% of the total project cost.

What Can the Grant Be Used For?

The program supports the same types of professional services as the Ukrainian program, including: IT and digital transformation projects, website and web application development, CRM and ERP implementation, corporate portals, marketing, business strategy, operational efficiency improvements. The EBRD subsidy for Belarusian businesses in Poland also covers custom website development, CRM systems, ERP solutions, and corporate platforms.

How Does the Process Work?

The application process is essentially the same for both programs.

1. Preparing and Submitting the Application/ The client (not the contractor) submits the application directly to the EBRD. The application package includes: business registration documents, documents confirming citizenship or legal status, financial statements. After reviewing the documents, the bank sends the official application forms.

2. Choosing a Contractor. The EBRD requires at least three commercial proposals from different companies. The proposals may be prepared in any format, and contractors do not have to be EBRD-certified partners. Many clients think this stage is complicated. In reality, it usually takes just a few days, and we help prepare everything.

3. Preparing the Technical Specification. Together with the client, we prepare a detailed project specification (Terms of Reference), which must then be approved by the EBRD. This is one of the most important stages of the entire process. The format matters. If the documentation doesn’t meet the bank’s requirements, it will be returned for revision.

4. Signing the Three-Party Agreement. The agreement is signed by three parties: the client, the contractor, the EBRD. Only after all parties have signed can the project officially begin.

5. Project Implementation. The project is delivered according to the approved specification. Ukrainian Program – the client pays only VAT, the EBRD transfers 100% of the project’s net value directly to the contractor. Belarusian Program – the client pays 30% of the net value plus VAT, the EBRD transfers the remaining 70% of the net value directly to the contractor.

6. Project Completion and Final Payment. Once the project is completed, the client submits it to the EBRD for final acceptance. After approval, the bank transfers the grant directly to the contractor: 100% of the net amount for Ukrainian applicants, 70% of the net amount for Belarusian applicants.

How Long Does It Take? To be completely honest—the entire process usually takes several months. Responses from the bank can be slow, especially during holiday and vacation periods. That’s not a flaw in the program—it’s simply how the process works. If you’re planning to launch a new website within a month, it’s worth speaking with us first to discuss realistic timelines and determine whether the grant program fits your schedule.

A Real-Life Example

In December 2025, a client approached us with a clear goal: she wanted a new website for her online children’s bedding store. During our very first conversation, she asked whether it was possible to apply for an EBRD grant.

We started the process. We helped her collect the required documents, prepared the project specification, and guided her through every stage of the approval process. At times, we waited weeks for responses from the bank—especially during December and January. More than once, it felt like the entire process had stalled.

Then, in June 2026, the EBRD approved a grant of approximately €5,000. Today, we’re actively working on the project. The client will pay VAT only. For a fully functional e-commerce website.

How We Help

DigiWay is a Certified EBRD Partner. This is much more than just a badge on our profile. It means we understand exactly what the bank expects to see in a project’s technical specification, how commercial proposals should be structured, and where businesses most commonly encounter delays—and, more importantly, how to avoid them.

We don’t just build digital products. We guide our clients through the entire grant process—from checking eligibility to securing final approval from the EBRD. Website development, web applications, CRM systems, and corporate portals are what we build every day. Navigating the EBRD application process is something we’ve already done successfully with our clients many times.

We work in English, Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian. All contracts are signed under Polish law and include VAT invoices (faktura VAT).

The First Step Is Simple. The first step is finding out whether your business qualifies for the program. It takes about 15–20 minutes. We’ll review your situation and honestly tell you whether applying for the grant makes sense in your case. Fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll discuss your project and outline the practical steps toward securing EBRD funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a loan or a non-repayable grant?

It is non-repayable. An EBRD grant is a subsidy that provides funding for your project and does not have to be paid back. It is not a loan or any other form of debt financing.

Who pays the contractor—the bank or me?

Under the Ukrainian program, the EBRD pays the contractor 100% of the project’s net cost directly. As the client, you only pay VAT (23% in Poland). Under the Belarusian program, you pay 30% of the net cost plus VAT, while the EBRD transfers the remaining 70% of the net cost directly to the contractor.

How long does the entire process take?

The process usually takes several months from application to approval. Responses from the bank can be slow, especially during holiday and vacation periods. We recommend allowing at least 3–4 months for the approval process before planning the start of your project.

Can I receive a grant for website or application development?

Yes. IT and digital transformation are among the program’s key focus areas. Websites, web applications, CRM systems, ERP solutions, and corporate portals are all eligible for EBRD funding, provided the project’s technical specification is prepared correctly.

Do I have to work with a Certified EBRD Partner?

No. Your contractor does not have to be an EBRD-certified partner. However, a Certified EBRD Partner understands exactly what the bank expects to see in the project’s technical specification and significantly reduces the risk of rejection or requests for document revisions. That’s why most businesses choose to work with certified partners from the very beginning.

Important Disclaimer

The conditions of the program may change over time. The information in this article is accurate as of the publication date and is based on official guidance provided by EBRD representatives. Before submitting an application, always verify the latest requirements directly with the EBRD or contact us as a Certified EBRD Partner in Poland.

If you know a Ukrainian or Belarusian entrepreneur running a business in Poland, share this article with them. The program is not unlimited. Every month, someone receives a grant. And someone else misses the opportunity simply because they didn’t know it existed.