Minderoo Foundation provides US$2 million to support Ukrainian agrifood businesses and unlock investment
Minderoo Foundation has today committed US$2 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support Ukrainian agrifood businesses, enabling them to scale and strengthen business operations, access finance and continue feeding communities despite the impacts of war.
Making the announcement at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, Poland, Dr Andrew Forrest AO said Minderoo’s investment would ultimately strengthen Ukraine’s food system while supporting economic recovery. It will build the capacity and ultimately unlock private capital for businesses operating in some of Ukraine’s most war-torn areas.
WFP is supporting small and medium-sized agrifood enterprises across Ukraine – ranging from processors to transporters and retailers – by helping them become investment-ready. Minderoo Foundation’s contribution will support WFP’s SME support facility, which provides practical assistance to Ukrainian enterprises to scale their operations, including access to markets, technical support, business development services and investor connections.
“Ukraine’s agri-food sector, especially enterprises closer to the frontlines, is of key importance to building long-term resilience in the communities affected by conflict and to global food security. Together with the Minderoo Foundation, we will facilitate access to investment for these critical agri-food enterprises,” said Dr Richard Wilcox, WFP’s Director for Private Partnerships.
“Minderoo Foundation is determined to help the brave people of Ukraine get back on their feet. But that recovery depends on more than just rebuilding infrastructure,” Dr Forrest said. “It will require investment in the businesses, farmers and entrepreneurs who keep communities fed and employed.
“As the anchor donor, Minderoo Foundation is proud to support a WFP model that combines humanitarian expertise with private sector support to create lasting economic opportunity. By helping to prepare agrifood businesses for investment, we can strengthen food security, sustain livelihoods and support Ukraine’s long-term recovery.”
This support builds on the success of the Grain from Ukraine initiative, which has delivered more than 320,000 metric tonnes of food commodities to reach approximately 9 million food-insecure people across Africa and the Middle East. The new funding seeks to leverage those market connections while investing directly in Ukrainian food and agriculture enterprises.
“Ukraine’s future is inseparable from the world’s food security,” Dr Forrest said. “The country’s food producers and communities have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in the face of immense challenges, but recovery requires investment as well as solidarity.”
Minderoo Foundation’s commitment forms part of its ongoing support for Ukraine’s recovery and resilience, helping communities withstand the impacts of conflict while laying foundations for long-term economic growth.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Minderoo Foundation has provided A$40 million to support humanitarian relief, agricultural recovery, demining, community resilience and accountability efforts.
Minderoo funding has helped restore global and local food supply chains, including delivering 23,000 tonnes of wheat to the Horn of Africa through the Black Sea Grain Initiative and supporting thousands of Ukrainian farmers to rebuild agricultural livelihoods.
Minderoo-backed demining efforts have also made more than 770,000 square metres of farmland safe for use again, benefiting tens of thousands of people and helping revive rural economies.
About 40 per cent of Minderoo’s support has gone directly to local Ukrainian organisations, enabling grassroots recovery initiatives, agricultural training and expanded income opportunities for vulnerable households.
Additional funding has supported family reunification efforts, accountability for international humanitarian law violations, and improved safety for humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones.