Direction:

GovTech

In Ukraine, Digital Transformation Fuels Democratic Engagement And State Resilience

Authors

Victor Liakh

Publication date and time:

Mar 12, 2025, 08:00

Reading time:

5 min

It may seem an unexpected perspective, but Ukraine’s resilience is partially linked to these advancements, demonstrating how digitalization can fortify democracy amid unprecedented challenges. By enabling faster decision-making, reducing bureaucratic barriers, andincreasing transparency, digital transformation has become one of Ukraine’s strongest tools of resilience during the full-scale russian invasion.

A Decade of Transformation

A decade ago, touching public services in Ukraine meant facing a bureaucratic nightmare. To obtain a simple certificate or register a business, one had to navigate an endless maze of queues, forms, and indifferent officials.

A bureaucratic stranglehold led to malpractices. Almost every case could be solved quicker by being «greased.» This corrupted system negatively affected Ukraine’s development and citizens` trust in the state.

The 2014 Revolution of Dignity, which demanded closer integration with Europe, also spurred the reform of public services. However, the problem was more than just inefficient bureaucracy. Most government records were still on paper, departments within the same agency often operated in isolation, and the country’s digital literacy was alarmingly low.

It was clear that if Ukraine wanted to move forward, digitalization was not just an option—it was a necessity.

Ukraine’s public administration was, in essence, a modern-day version of the Augean stables, and someone needed to begin the monumental task of cleaning it up.

Microdemocracy for Macro Results

When considering the most successful models of democratic engagement, countries like Switzerland and those in Scandinavia often come to mind. Their systems of civil participation are finely tuned, with citizens able to cooperate with the authorities on even the smallest of public matters.

This «microdemocracy» is not a burden for state efficiency but a tool for it. Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are firmly established at the top of global GDP and quality-of life ratings. They do not make a secret of their success and eagerly share the experience.

Emerging economies, in turn, often have less-developed democratic traditions. Different reasons for this can be mentioned, but the main one is probably the post-authoritarian legacy. For such nations, digital transformation can serve as a fast track to improving governance and gaining more trust in a state. Digitalization makes democratic mechanisms more accessible, broadening participation and inclusiveness.

In many cases, it allows us to bypass bureaucratic bottlenecks — where inefficiency and corruption lurk — by adopting client-server models that replace face-to-face interactions. With Ukraine starting from scratch, it made sense to leap directly into cutting-edge digital solutions.

This idea set the stage for the largest bilateral program between Switzerland and Ukraine.

A Long-Awaited Reform

In 2015, Ukraine took a bold step toward modernizing its governance system. East Europe Foundation, in partnership with the Ukrainian government and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), launched the E-Governance for Accountability and Participation (EGAP) Program. The initiative aimed to use digital tools to transform the interaction and cooperation between government and citizens.

The task was formidable. Document digitization was only one aspect; new platforms for e-democracy and e-services had to be developed, and citizens and officials needed to be trained in their use.

By 2019, Ukraine’s digital transformation had become a government priority. In 2020, the country launched its state platform, Diia, which allowed citizens to access essential services through a website and mobile app. This was more than just a convenience — it marked a radical shift in how Ukrainians interacted with their government.

While people commonly demand changes but treat them skeptically, Diia quickly became one of the most popular government initiatives, attracting widespread public support.

Ukraine’s digital transformation soon yielded tangible results. The country became the first in the world to introduce official digital passports, and citizens could register as entrepreneurs or change their residency with just a few clicks. During the pandemic, Ukraine was among the first nations whose electronic COVID certificates were recognized by the European Union.

Since its inception, the EGAP Program has supported the creation of dozens of e-services. Ukrainians can now pay taxes, apply for subsidies, get married, and access services for new parents all via a single app that links their ID and taxpayer number. This list is not full and continues to expand. Despite the ongoing war, many services have been added in the last three years, as no matter the circumstances, there is a need to adapt, address challenges, and ensure citizens have uninterrupted access to essential services.

Technology as a Pillar of Resilience

On September 18, 2024, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation signed a new agreement to further develop e-services and e-democracy in Ukraine. This marks the third phase of the EGAP program. Félix Baumann, Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine, described the unprecedented financial support as a testament to the success and effectiveness of the multi-year program. East Europe Foundation remains a key partner in this ambitious initiative, driving further development and training at both national and local levels.

The digital transformation extends beyond the central government. Since 2021, the e-DEM platform has supported local-level e-democracy tools, including «Local Petitions, ” „Public Budgets, ” and „Public Consultations“. These initiatives allow citizens to collaborate with grassroots authorities to address community issues. More than 25,000 petitions have been submitted, 31,000 problems solved, and 2,000 public budget projects supported, making e-DEM a cornerstone of Ukraine’s microdemocracy.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Ukraine’s ability to withstand russia’s full-scale invasion is partly rooted in its digital reforms. Modern warfare is as much a battle of state efficiency as it is of manpower, weapons, and strategy. Digital tools have streamlined interactions between citizens and the state, enabling faster decision-making while also fostering greater transparency and accountability.

The digital mechanisms of participation have also reduced barriers between the state and its citizens, creating a sense of unity that has proven crucial in the face of war.

Backing The Recovery

Despite the progress made, much work remains. As Ukraine rebuilds, it will continue to lean on the foundations laid by its digital transformation — a system that has brought the public closer to the state and strengthened democracy in a time of crisis.

The war has only heightened the need for greater government efficiency and transparency. Both are essential in Ukraine’s recovery. The agility of the public administration is interconnected with Ukraine’s survival.

The role of digitalization will be critical, as it will engage citizens to act even more actively to monitor government policy and ensure that public funds are used properly.

After all, the word «republic» is derived from the Latin res publica, meaning «public affairs.»