The European Forum for New Ideas (EFNI) in Sopot once again united business leaders, politicians, and experts from across Europe to discuss the main challenges facing the continent. It is one of the most important economic events in Central and Eastern Europe, dedicated to the future of Europe, global trends, and challenges for business.
During the panel discussion “Ukraine’s Resilience During the War – Lessons for Europe,” the Executive Director of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (SUP), Kateryna Glazkova, presented the Ukrainian experience of resilience – not as a theoretical concept, but as a reality in which millions of Ukrainians live daily.
“Despite the war, the private sector has become the backbone of the state,” emphasized Kateryna Glazkova.
Over 85% of companies have resumed operations. Many have changed their business models, relocated, or entered new markets — often under constant shelling. Businesses continue to operate, install generators, shift to renewable energy, and ensure process continuity even during power outages.
In 2024, Ukraine’s economy grew by 2.9% after a 5.5% decline the previous year. Despite the loss of infrastructure and markets, the private sector has effectively become part of national defense — not through arms, but through perseverance, innovation, and responsibility.
The Role of Small and Medium Enterprises
A special role in this resilience belongs to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Large companies remain the main taxpayers, but it is the SMEs that are capable of operating in frontline regions and supporting communities.
Many entrepreneurs have redirected their focus to supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine – producing drones, boats, reconnaissance equipment, and other necessary assets. The recently adopted “Defense City” package of bills creates a legislative basis for the development of defense-oriented enterprises, exempting them from a number of taxes.
Key Pillars of Resilience
Kateryna Glazkova outlined three main areas that have become the key to Ukrainian resilience:
- Energy autonomy. That is why the Union advocates for deregulation of the sector, development of private generation, and support for alternative energy.
- Logistics diversification. The closure of airspace and port blockades forced Ukraine to develop rail, road, and land routes through the EU.
- Support for domestic producers. When borders close, it is domestic business that ensures access to goods and services.
But resilience is not only about the economy. It is also about solidarity and mutual assistance. Businesses support internally displaced persons, veterans, and women by financing education, medicine, and social initiatives. It is this unity that makes Ukraine strong, even in the darkest times.
Lessons for Europe
The Ukrainian experience has shown that traditional approaches to security require reconsideration. Kateryna emphasized that SMEs are the heart of Ukrainian resilience, as they support the local economy and communities, especially near the frontline. She outlined the main lessons for Europe:
- Economic security is the basis of defense: security is not only about tanks and rockets. It begins with economic, energy, and industrial resilience.
- SME flexibility is the key to survival: small and medium-sized businesses provide jobs, food, and stability even in crisis conditions; the flexibility of SMEs is critical in crisis conditions.
- Human capital is the power of the future: Ukrainian specialists in technology, industry, and education can become the drivers of joint Ukrainian-European projects.
European Integration
Kateryna emphasized that Ukraine is doing colossal work on its path to EU membership, having completed the fastest screening of legislation in the history of the EU. She called on European partners, particularly Poland, to become the driving force behind Ukraine’s integration into the European Union.
Ukraine, she stressed, is paying a high price, defending its right to exist and European values – our soldiers are currently the first line of defense for the whole of Europe. At the same time, EU countries have time to strengthen their own security and must not miss this chance.
“We are not just striving for Europe – we are already living its values every day,” Kateryna noted.
Poland, EU and Joint Security
Importantly, this year’s EFNI discussions were significantly focused on security issues – Poland, the EU, and NATO. In this context, Ukraine is at the center of attention, as the first line of defense of the European border.
Polish colleagues emphasized the necessity of investing in Ukraine right now. This is a chance for those who are ready to act in complex conditions. After all, for Ukrainian business, working at home is not about risk, but about choosing in favor of the Motherland. This is the new reality in which true resilience is born.
At the beginning of the discussion, the moderator, Andrzej Rudka, representing our friends and partners, the Polish Confederation Lewiatan, noted: today, alongside the determination of the Ukrainian military, they see the resilience of the economy, administration, and public services.
Professor Maciej Duszczyk, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration of Poland, emphasized that Poland is learning from Ukraine on how to counter drones, and protect critical infrastructure and the population. In his assessment, without anti-drone protection systems for critical facilities, Europe risks “losing without a war.”
Bartłomiej Babushka, President of the Industrial Development Agency, stressed that the reconstruction of Ukraine must begin now, at the planning stage and in an intergovernmental format, rather than through scattered tenders. The planned Shehyni-Lviv highway section will be a test of this mature cooperation.
Dariusz Szyngczicha, Vice-President of the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, noted that Ukraine’s resilience is based not only on its army but also on the decentralization and digitalization of the state, urging Europe to value the innovativeness of Ukrainian firms, especially in the field of new technologies.
Jarosław Bełdowski of the Warsaw School of Economics also called for courage in actions and for thinking about Ukraine in terms of long-term investments.
We express our sincere gratitude to all discussion participants and event organizers – the Polish Confederation Lewiatan, BusinessEurope, and the city of Sopot – for the opportunity to present the Ukrainian experience and for continuing to focus on events in Ukraine, viewing the war not just as a national tragedy, but as a challenge for the whole of Europe. EFNI remains one of the most influential platforms in Central Europe where the vision for the future of business and the European Union is shaped.