#NEF Ecosystem of innovations: how regions of Ukraine create a favorable environment for ideas, people and business
War - Is This a Time for Innovation?
The tragic war period that Ukraine is going through is paradoxically becoming a window of opportunity for the country. After all, reforms and modernisation that would have taken years and years to complete before will need to be implemented quickly, sometimes from scratch, which is more efficient than rebuilding the old system, old facilities, and old approaches. At the same time, the lack of resources, human capital, and funding forces us to look for innovative solutions that would compensate for the shortage on the one hand and move the country forward so that the gap with technological leaders does not widen because of the war on the other.
Our country has been able to maintain balance and develop thanks to the support of partners, primarily the European Union. They believe that Ukraine deserves the status of a "digital champion" and are helping to develop this advantage by providing sustainable support to strengthen cyber resilience and security of digital public services.
Speaking of innovation in general, Ukraine participates in the flagship innovation and research programme Horizon Europe on an equal footing with EU member states. A Horizon Europe office will soon be opened in Kyiv to help make the most of the opportunities available. Read more about this and other support tools below.
EU opens a window of opportunity
Despite the damage caused by the Russian war to Ukraine's research infrastructure - 15% of it was damaged or destroyed - as of November 2023, Ukrainian research and innovation entities are already participating in 110 Horizon Europe grant projects with actual EU funding of €27.6 million. Another 29 Horizon Europe grants involving Ukrainian participants are currently being prepared.
Recently, the EU for Ukraine Fund approved €25 million in investments for Horizon Capital Growth Fund IV, aimed at strengthening small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine and Moldova. The program focuses on human capital-rich companies with small asset bases and export-oriented technology companies. The HCGF IV investments mark the first EU Fund for Ukraine project initiated by the EIB in the spring of 2023. This fund is part of a broader EU initiative for Ukraine, aimed at urgently responding to its pressing needs and supporting economic stability.
More information on the site.
Implement the "New Economy of Ivano-Frankivsk" project together with the Executive Committee of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council, the Promprylad.Renovation, innovation center, the METALAB urban laboratory, the PPV Knowledge Networks economic development agency, and the Warm City platform.