The European Union has identified the future digital innovation hubs in Ukraine that will join the European network under the EU programme "Digital Europe." European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) are centers that help small and medium-sized businesses and public organizations improve production processes, products, or services using digital technologies.
The winners of the competition are associations ready to implement innovations and digital transformation for Ukrainian enterprises and public institutions. Six of them will receive EU funding to create and operate EDIHs, namely:
- Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Specialization: energy efficiency.
- Public Union "Kharkiv Information Technology Cluster." Specialization: energy, agriculture, cybersecurity, and testing new technologies.
- Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University. Specialization: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, high-performance computing, digital education, and startup support.
- Association "Lviv IT and Business Services Cluster." Specialization: artificial intelligence, machine learning, VR and AR, robotics, radio electronics, and digital education.
- Polissya National University. Specialization: high-level digital skills development.
- Khmelnytskyi National University / EDIH “Clothing Technology & Textile Hub.” Specialization: garment industry and mechanical engineering.
The total budget to support the hubs in Ukraine with the participation of the EU is 4.5 million euros. The grant from the European Union will cover half the cost of creating and operating the hub until the end of 2027. The remaining 50% must be covered by the participant.
The hubs will provide services to businesses and the public sector in 4 key areas:
- Access to technology and competencies: providing premises, infrastructure, and support, allowing companies to test digital and innovative technologies.
- Skills and training: services to upskill employees, including those from private companies and public sector organizations.
- Support in finding investors: assistance in finding funding sources for digital transformation, as well as developing new digital services and business models.
- Partner search, including abroad.
Two associations are on the reserve list for funding. This means that if any of the six winners refuse funding, these associations will have the opportunity to claim the funds. They include:
- UNIT Management Company LLC. Specialization: artificial intelligence, machine learning, VR and AR, blockchain technology, testing agricultural and financial technologies.
- National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic." Specialization: computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and high-level digital skills.
Additionally, four associations received the Seal of Excellence*:
- Public Union "Ukrainian Cluster Alliance." Specialization: agriculture, medicine, instrumentation, electronics and photonics, telecommunications, and energy.
- Consortium consisting of King Danylo University, Ivano-Frankivsk IT Cluster, Prykarpattya Eco-Energy Cluster, Ivano-Frankivsk City Council's Department of Economic Development, Ecology, and Energy Conservation, and Airbridge Global LLC. Specialization: artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, smart city technologies, digitalization, cybersecurity, intelligent transport systems, big data, green technology upskilling, clean energy, energy efficiency, marketing research, financial consulting, and legal services in high-tech.
- Scientific Park of the National University "Lviv Polytechnic" LLC. Specialization: computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and high-level digital skills.
- Charity Organization "Charitable Fund 'Promprylad.'" Specialization: cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, energy sector, and green transformation.
*The Seal of Excellence grants the right to join the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs, but these companies will not be funded by the EU.
Moreover, all twelve associations will receive advisory support at the initial stages of their activities from the German Government.
European Digital Innovation Hubs in Ukraine will start operating in 2025 after the signing of grant agreements. The EDIHs will form a regional network and join the overall European network of digital innovation hubs. This will allow establishing contacts with other European hubs and subsequently exchanging best practices between centers in different countries.
It should be noted that the national selection for the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs lasted from December 20, 2023, to January 19, 2024. A total of 60 applications were submitted, 15 of which were recommended for the EU competition.
