Localizing Digital Transformation in Ukraine: Use of innovative technologies in bridging the urban-rural divide
Swiss-Ukrainian eGovernance for Accountability and Participation Program, INNOVABRIDGE Foundation, East Europe Foundation
Session 268
Since 2014, Ukraine has been taking progressive steps in digital acceleration and decentralisation. Yet according to Ukraine`s Ministry of Digital Transformation, more than 5.5 million rural residents in Ukraine (12% of total population) and 17 thousand (61%) settlements or villages still need to be connected to high-speed Internet. Research also shows that local authorities and local residents are highly interested in implementing and using digital tools. Both believe that adoption of new technologies can improve their communities’ quality of life through easier access to services and citizens’ enhanced participation in local decision-making processes. This has been particularly proven during Ukraine`s ongoing endurance of Russian invasion and war. In the spirit of sharing good global digital practices, the workshop will:
- Discuss Ukraine`s ambitious decentralization reforms and the use of innovative technologies in this process
- Expose key challenges and achievements of rolling out digital transformation in Ukraine`s urban and deep rural areas thus attesting to Ukraine`s rich regional and sub-regional diversity
- Highlight successfully introduced solutions by the Swiss-Ukrainian E-Governance for Accountability and Participation Program for enhancing democracy and more efficient decentralized public service delivery - e.g. mobile e-services clinic for remote rural dwellers, use of tech in the generation of local taxes, one-stop-shop e-democracy platform, successful tech enabled participatory budgeting practices and a resourceful chatbot for internally displaced persons by the current war.
- Address Ukrainian national and local governments` innovative use of technologies as a lifeline to its cities, communities and citizens during the current war.
Oleksandra is the Coordinator of the E-democracy component of the Swiss-Ukrainian E-Governance for Accountability and Participation (EGAP) program. She is engaged in the implementation of civic participation tools since 2017. As part of the project team, Oleksandra coordinated the development, launch and operation of the national e-democracy platform (e-dem.ua), that consists of 4 tools: e-petitions, participatory budget, open city, e-consultations. Currently, more than 400 Ukrainian communities implemented at least one of these instruments on e-dem.ua platform. She has a Master’s degree in Political Science (Ukraine).

Jordanka is a policy advisor and published researcher on digital transformation, national digital systems design, civic tech, and social innovation topics. She has over 15 years of experience in advising and facilitating complex national strategic planning, policy and program design processes in over 12 countries. In 2014-2017 she served as the National Policy Dialogue Lead and Policy Advisor to the Government of Ukraine. She is currently working with the World Bank, European Commission and the Government of Slovakia on improving Slovakia`s policy and fiscal incentive structures for the creation of sustainable regional innovation ecosystems as well as with the Government of Rwanda on the design of the new Smart Rwanda Master Plan and National Innovation Strategy (2024-2028).
Jordanka holds a PhD in Political and Social Sciences from the European University Institute in Florence, Italy; an MA from the Graduate Institute (IHEID) in Geneva, Switzerland and a BA in Political Science from Simon Fraser University in Canada.

Nazar Kovalenko (MSc University of Vienna, Austria - City planning and city development) worked for 5 years in different institutions within Vinnytsia Municipality. In 2019 he joined the Institute for urban development (IUD), a local think-tank, where he become a director in 2022. IUD implements public sector innovations promoting good municipal governance. IUD also works on “building bridges” between local NGOs, active citizens, neighbourhoods and the municipality. One of its flagship projects includes the NGO-Hub where civil society and local government representatives cooperate on participatory urban development initiatives.

Deputy Head for Digital Development issues, Digital Transformations and Digitalization (CDTO). Over 10 years of professional work experience in Ukrainian and international companies. Fluency in English. Two master's degrees in Public Administration (Ukraine and Lithuania), bachelor's degree in Finance (Ukraine).

Slava joined the newly created Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine (MDTU) in 2019 as the Head of eServices development. He is the architect of the highly popular digital app called ‘Government and I - DIIA` that is used by over 10 million Ukrainians. His current goal at the MDTU is to abolish the bureaucracy in Ukraine by delivering all government services by 2024 with just a few clicks – from filing tax returns to marriages to registering a company remotely. Prior to joining the MDTU, Slava was a successful digital marketing entrepreneur.
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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-government
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
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Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
https://www.eda.admin.ch/deza/en/home/countries/ukraine.html
https://egap.in.ua/en/publication
https://egap.in.ua/en/story
https://eef.org.ua/en/
https://innovabridge.org