We have selected the winners of the “VARTO: Recipe of Care” grant competition for veterans.

The initiative is implemented by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine in partnership with the School Meals Reform Team, with the support of the MHP-Hromadi Charitable Foundation as part of the MHP Porych individual support programme for service members, veterans and their families. Successful applicants will receive grants of up to UAH 3 million to develop veteran-owned businesses providing school catering services.

For the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation and its partners, the programme extends far beyond financial support. It demonstrates that veterans can become powerful drivers of positive change within their communities. By building their own businesses, they create jobs, strengthen local economies and contribute to the long-term resilience of their regions.

According to Oleh Olyva, Hero of Ukraine and Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, initiatives such as this play a vital role in helping veterans successfully transition to civilian life while enabling them to contribute to Ukraine’s School Meals Reform.

The competition is part of the School Meals Reform, launched in 2020 at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska. The reform aims to ensure that children across Ukraine have access to nutritious, safe and balanced meals while modernising school catering infrastructure, strengthening workforce capacity and fostering a culture of healthy eating.

The full list of winners of the VARTO: Recipe of Care grant programme is available here