The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) launched a large-scale grant project to support the wine business in the Bolgrad district of Ukraine. The initiative was officially presented during a working meeting with the participation of key regional and international stakeholders.

The event was attended by representatives from FAO, the local district administration leadership, the Entrepreneurship Support Fund, and the regional winemakers' association. The "FA0028/ITA" project aims to provide direct financial and methodological support to local winemakers and wine growers.

The total budget of the initiative amounts to 647,000 US dollars. Approved candidates will be able to receive individual grants between 10 and 25 thousand dollars to develop their own business.

The program is structured in three specific areas, covering different categories of producers. The first group includes small grape producers who have not yet processed their own production. The second category combines winemakers with personal vineyard plots, while the third covers entrepreneurs who purchase grapes from external suppliers.

In addition to financial support, the project includes a large-scale educational component. Specialized training will be organized for participants, focusing on modern technologies in viticulture, winemaking, and marketing strategies.

Bolgrad, which is the administrative center of the district after the reform of July 17, 2020, unites 10 municipalities with a compact Bulgarian population – over 60% of local residents are of Bulgarian ethnic origin.