Ukraine is undergoing a period of immense challenge following the war. However, amidst the difficulties, the nation is actively shaping its post-war reconstruction plans. A key focus of these plans is the modernization and digitalization of various sectors across the country.
The EAST Team Steps Up
The Ukraine Rebuilding Task Force (URTF) serves as a platform for regional teams to contribute their ideas to the national reconstruction effort. The EAST team, a regional group within the URTF, has taken a prominent role by proposing the creation of a digital platform – the DIGITAL RECOVERY HUB OF UKRAINE.
The Hub’s Vision
This digital platform aims to be a vital tool for the systematic reconstruction and development of Ukraine. Here’s what the hub offers:
- Centralized Information Source: Stakeholders, contractors, investors, and communities will have easy access to up-to-date information on reconstruction efforts, including the latest technological solutions.
- Communication and Collaboration: The platform fosters quality communication, allowing for the creation of new partnerships, knowledge sharing, and training opportunities.
- Enhanced Efficiency: The hub is expected to streamline reconstruction processes, leading to improved project quality, reduced costs, and better resource utilization.
Early Successes: Building Partnerships
The EAST team has already made significant progress:
- Technology Acquisition: They’ve facilitated partnerships between Ukrainian technology companies and leading European firms. These collaborations aim to bring the best global technologies to Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
- Concrete Examples: Thanks to effective communication between team members and a complex of organizational measures, on February 26, 2024, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Severodonetsk city military administration, the Ukrainian company “Kotloturboprom” and the German company Richard Kablitz GmbH. A similar tripartite agreement was concluded with the Danish company Verdo Energy Systems A/S. The cooperation concerns the construction on the territory of the Severodonetsk city community of a plant for the processing of solid household waste and production capacities for the generation of electric power and centralized heat supply using renewable energy sources. Also, on April 18, 2024, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Severodonetsk city military administration and the German company Rekers GmbH Maschinen and Anlagenbau regarding the introduction on the territory of the Severodonetsk city community of a powerful production of building materials using modern technologies. An intermediate stage was the prospective agreements between representatives of the Severodonetsk community and companies, reached during the International Exhibition-Conference ReBuild Ukraine, in Warsaw, Poland.
Challenges and Looking Ahead
Despite the initial successes, the team acknowledges some hurdles:
- Securing Resources: Finding a technological and financial partner to develop the platform itself is a key challenge.
- Financial Sustainability: Developing a robust financial model to ensure the platform’s long-term sustainability is crucial.
- Data Acquisition: Gathering data from currently occupied territories presents a significant obstacle.
Inspired by URTF
The EAST team is enthusiastic about the URTF program. They value the program’s structure, particularly the concept of regional teams.
“Thanks to the program, we have gained new knowledge and experience in business internationalization, as well as a wide range of new and useful contacts. We consider the idea of regional groups to be the most effective mechanism. This allowed experts with different experience and profile to unite around common problems” – shares his impressions about the program team member Alexander.
The DIGITAL RECOVERY HUB OF UKRAINE holds immense potential to transform Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. Through the EAST team’s dedication and the support of all of us, this project has the potential to become a cornerstone of transparency and streamlined reconstruction across Ukraine. Let`s do it together!
Note. The Ukraine Rebuilding Task Force program is developed by Visionest Institute Estonia and implemented in cooperation with Ukraine’s Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office within the framework of the Diia.Business Ukrainian national project. The project is implemented with financial support from the U.S. Department of State Office of the Assistance Coordinator for Europe and Eurasia under the 10th Round of the Development Cooperation Partnership (DCP) Program and the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).