On March 15, 2025, the first in a series of entrepreneurship-focused workshops for Ukrainians in Denmark took place in the city of Odense. The event gathered over 50 participants and marked a significant step in building a Ukrainian business community abroad.
The European Ukrainian Hub organized the event in partnership with 3F Odense GOPS, who generously hosted the workshop at their venue. The organization Bevar Ukraine also joined as a partner, providing additional support to attendees after the main program.
This workshop is part of a broader initiative developed by The European Ukrainian Hub. The aim of the program is to create a simple, accessible, and practical information platform for Ukrainians who have entrepreneurial potential but lack the experience or knowledge to navigate the European market. It is tailored both for those who are just considering starting a business and for those who already have a concrete idea but face various barriers — legal, financial, or psychological.
The Core: A Practical Lecture
The main segment of the event was a lecture by Oksana Medetska, a taxation expert with over ten years of experience working with businesses, individuals, and public institutions. Her presentation focused on essential aspects of launching a business in Denmark:
- What types of companies exist in Denmark and how do they differ?
- How to choose the right legal structure for your business idea?
- What should you know about the tax system, VAT, and bookkeeping?
- What are the steps from submitting an application to full registration?
The lecture stood out thanks to the delivery in Ukrainian and clear explanations of legal and financial terms that can be confusing, especially when they differ significantly from what Ukrainians are used to. Oksana Medetska thoroughly explained the differences between a sole proprietorship (Enkeltmandsvirksomhed) and a private limited company (ApS), what taxes apply to each model, and what reporting requirements exist under Danish law.
For many participants, this was the first time they had received a detailed breakdown of business registration and operation in Denmark. The questions covered both general processes and individual cases.
Engaged Participants and Active Discussion
The room was anything but passive — participants actively engaged in discussions, asked questions, and shared their own ideas. Many of them had been thinking about starting a business for a while but lacked access to systematic and practical information. Some had previous entrepreneurial experience in Ukraine, only to find that the rules in Denmark were entirely different. This workshop became more than just a source of knowledge — it was a real trigger for action.
One-on-One Consultations by Bevar Ukraine
After the main session, a personalized consultation round was held by Victor Sydorchuk, a representative of Bevar Ukraine. In one-on-one sessions, he helped individuals understand their personal tax situations — from filing annual returns to correcting data in the SKAT system. This hands-on support was a valuable addition to the educational part of the event, offering immediate solutions to real problems.
What’s Next: Events Across Denmark
The Odense workshop was the first in a series of five events focused on helping Ukrainians start their own businesses in Denmark. The same theme and the same expert — Oksana Medetska — will guide participants in four more cities across the country. The goal is to reach as many Ukrainians as possible with clear, practical guidance on entrepreneurship.
The next event will take place on April 26 in Ålborg. Details on registration, location, and program will be shared on The European Ukrainian Hub’s official social media channels.
The team at The European Ukrainian Hub extends heartfelt thanks to its event partners — Alla Navrotska from 3F Odense GOPS, and Victor Sydorchuk from Bevar Ukraine — for their trust, openness, and meaningful support of the Ukrainian community in Denmark. Together, they’re helping not only with adaptation but with creating new opportunities in a new environment.
