Starting from April 29, polar entrepreneurs will be able to apply for the Governor's Start grant competition, initiated by the head of the region, Andrei Chibis. Oksana Demchenko, First Deputy Governor of the Murmansk Region, spoke about the start of accepting applications, as well as changes in the grant procedure, at an operational meeting in the regional government.
"The Governor's Start contest is an important tool to support our entrepreneurs. It is being implemented as part of the strategic plan "Live in the North!" and is considered a sought–after way to receive financial assistance for businesses," Oksana Demchenko noted.
Over the five years of the program, 164 entrepreneurs received support in the amount of about 184 million rubles. 138 projects have been implemented, and 375 jobs have been created by grantees.
In 2025, projects in the areas defined by the strategic plan "Live in the North!" are allocated to the priority category and can qualify for the maximum grant amount. Support of up to 2 million rubles is provided for projects to create infrastructure for tourist accommodation, roadside infrastructure, creative spaces and catering facilities, water tourism facilities, as well as projects to develop the consumer services sector and socially oriented businesses.
Also, as a matter of priority, with the possibility of providing the maximum grant amount, support continues for projects to open pharmacy centers in remote, sparsely populated settlements; projects aimed at attracting convicts to work; projects implemented on land plots under the Arctic Hectare program; projects in small towns, single-industry towns and border areas; projects implemented by participants of the Free Economic Zone.
For other projects, the grant amount is up to 1 million rubles, for the self—employed - up to 500 thousand rubles. The grant can be used to rent premises or land, purchase fixed assets, advertise and promote the project, as well as repair and construction and installation work. The amount of co-financing from the applicant is at least 20% of the amount of implementation costs for small and medium-sized businesses and at least 10% of the amount of implementation costs for self-employed citizens.
"Special attention is paid to the support of young entrepreneurs. Projects implemented by Northerners under the age of 35 inclusive, on behalf of Governor Andrey Vladimirovich Chibis, have been allocated to a separate priority category and can apply for a grant of up to one million rubles," Oksana Demchenko said.
Another innovation of 2025 is the electronic competition procedure. Grant applications are accepted at The portal for the provision of state financial support measures until June 1.
The terms of the competition and successful projects can be found in the section "Grants from the Governor of the Murmansk Region" on the Our North portal.
"Traditionally, we encourage our entrepreneurs to be active, submit applications, implement their initiatives, and we will be happy to support them," Oksana Demchenko addressed the Northerners.
Svetlana Panfilova, Deputy Governor of the Murmansk Region and Minister of Arctic Development and Economy of the Murmansk Region, reported on the grant competition in more detail.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /