On March 15, digitalization experts gathered to discuss the role of information technologies in the sustainable development of Ukrainian municipalities at a meeting dedicated to the launch of the “Accelerator of Digital Resilience “Hromada 4.0” program. The event was broadcast on U-LEAD's Facebook page.
The undeniable success of information technologies in the matters of Ukraine’s sustainability determined the importance for Ukrainian hromadas to follow the path of digitalization. Valeriya Ionan, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine for European Integration, noted the great progress of the national digital movement:
“We are building the most convenient digital state in the world free from bureaucracy and corruption, open to absolutely everyone. Regional digital transformation remains an important direction for us. CDTOs (Chief digital transformation officers) who work at the level of ministries, regional executive administrations, cities and municipalities are people who drive digital transformation forward. Our big goal is to make such people appear in every region, so training digital leaders is a huge priority for us”.
The participation of municipalities in major state initiatives is of key importance. This was emphasized by Oleksandra Azarkhina, Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine:
“Decentralization is one of the most natural phenomena in Ukraine: for years we had very weak central institutions and strong horizontal connections. The war emphasized that the informal connections formed from the bottom up are the basis of our resilience. We are currently working on two large-scale products: an electronic reconstruction management system and a geo-information system for regional development. These two tools will help us revolutionize decision-making in the state. But we really need hromadas’ support, because their proactive involvement in the implementation is the basis for success”.
Full-scale war caused new challenges of digital transformation for municipalities. Natalia Starostenko, Sector Manager of Regional and Local Development at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, noted:
“With the full-scale Russian invasion and its aftermath, digitization efforts in Ukraine have taken on a new meaning — digital transformation for recovery and reconstruction. Undoubtedly, municipalities are at the very center of both planning and implementation processes. Their role is decisive in formulating the needs of citizens and developing reconstruction projects adapted to these requests”.
Urgent tasks facing municipalities now, in times of war, require an extensive digital toolkit. This was emphasized by Bastian Veigel, Programme Director of U-LEAD with Europe:
“The consequences of the full-scale Russian invasion are prompting municipalities to optimize their processes, connect with residents, be more efficient in providing services, and protect access to data. Moreover, digitalization is crucial when it comes to recovery and reconstruction. Thanks to the new program, we will enable hromadas to be competent in the field of data collection and analysis, development of inclusive services for citizens, development of partnerships and connections with stakeholders in the country and beyond, and most importantly, to think about how to better rebuild Ukraine”.
Institutional organizations, including ministries, public institutions, and international partners, cooperate in efforts for sustainable development of municipalities. The interaction of all interested parties was discussed by the participants at the panel discussion, which was moderated by the ex-director of Prozorro, Vasyl Zadvorny. For the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Valeriya Ionan identified the training of digital transformation leaders, audit and development of road maps for municipalities, development of basic digital infrastructure as priority tasks. Oleksandra Azarkhina presented a detailed plan for the creation of a hromada reconstruction strategy by the Ministry for Recovery. Maryana Semenyshyn, Team Leader at Sustainable Development Unit of U-LEAD with Europe, spoke about U-LEAD’s priorities in supporting municipalities on their way to recovery and reconstruction. Yurii Fomichev, head of Slavutych municipality, emphasized the importance of interaction between local authorities and residents in order to form relevant requests and develop the necessary digital projects.
Undoubtedly, government institutions make a big contribution to creating opportunities for digital transformation. In order to investigate the activities of digital innovators in the regions, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, together with the East Europe Foundation and the Deloitte company, developed the digital transformation index of the regions. Analyst Tetyana Prykhodko said that the index contains 5 main blocks: digital economy, digital infrastructure, development of digital skills, digitalization of public services, as well as digital transformation in local government. Each of the components provides indicators, the sum of which determines the hromada’s place in the rating. The tool is completely free for use by every municipality of Ukraine and will allow to make a comprehensive assessment of municipality’s digitization, in particular, it will be useful for both residents and representatives of government bodies, as well as businesses, investors and donors.
In order to help the leaders of digital transformation to form concepts and implement digital projects, the international organization SocialBoost, which for many years has been engaged in the creation and implementation of digital services for municipalities and their residents, with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and U-LEAD with Europe launched the Accelerator of Digital Resilience “Hromada 4.0” program. Executive Director of SocialBoost, Viktor Gursky, told how, due to the acceleration, the participating hromadas will join the national digital movement.
“In the “Hromada 4.0” program, we use the experience gained over ten years of work on acceleration programs for the commercial and public sectors. Our main goal is to help municipalities create pilot-ready digital projects. In addition, we strive to develop the digital skills of the participants, provide the leaders of digital transformation with an understanding of the national digitalization strategy, encourage the exchange of experience in a circle of like-minded people – with activists, colleagues, experts, representatives of ministries”.
Immediately after the event, the acceleration teams started working on their own projects. Over the next five months, municipalities will work with design thinking to develop and test resident-focused products.
Information about the program developments and the successes of the participants will be published on the website and Facebook page of “Hromada 4.0”.
The program “Accelerator of Digital Resilience “Hromada 4.0” is implemented by the international organization SocialBoost with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and U-LEAD with Europe.