The story of Mariia Korniienko: how to develop a family business during wartime

Mariia Korniienko from Kharkiv, together with her family, runs and continues to grow a family business — a bakery and a semi-finished food production workshop. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she worked as an employee, but after the war began, she lost her job and was forced to relocate to Valky in the Kharkiv region.

In Valky, Mariia became involved in providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by the war, established new connections, and gained experience working with non-governmental organizations. This experience motivated her to finally bring a long-held idea to life — starting her own business.

Later, Mariia prepared and won her first grant project, which enabled the launch of the “Bulkinska” bakery in Kharkiv. Thanks to her participation in the NIZHNА project (Unbreakable Initiative of Women — Persistent and Active), implemented by the NGO “Light of Hope” with technical support from UN Women Ukraine and funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), she was able to improve production processes in the semi-finished food workshop and continue developing her business. More about Mariia’s story and her business is featured in the video.

This video was produced by the NGO “Light of Hope” with technical support from UN Women Ukraine and funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.