Digital transformation in Ukraine is happening very quickly. The state is moving services online, businesses are shifting to digital channels, and new professions are increasingly tied to technology. But along with this, a new problem is emerging — inequality in the level of digital skills among the population. It is precisely this problem that a new grant project implemented by the Ukrainian Startup Fund is aimed at addressing.
Digitalization in Ukraine: significant progress, but not without challenges
Over the past few years, Ukraine has taken a major step forward in the development of digital services and skills.
Today:
- 96% of Ukrainians have some level of digital skills
- 58% of the population possess digital skills at a basic level or higher
- more than 93% of the adult population have access to the internet
The use of new technologies is also growing rapidly:
- 42% of adult Ukrainians already use artificial intelligence tools
- among teenagers, this figure reaches 70%
This means that Ukraine is gradually approaching the average European Union indicators in terms of digital competencies. However, these figures do not tell the whole story.
The problem of digital inequality
Despite significant progress, a digital divide still exists in Ukraine between different groups of the population.
Research shows that:
- a significant share of the population has digital skills below the basic level
- the level of digital competencies is significantly lower among older people
- residents of rural areas use digital services much less frequently
- access to online opportunities is uneven across different social groups
For example, among people aged 70+, only about 22% actively use digital services, while among young people this figure exceeds 70%.
In addition:
- more than 56% of Ukrainians want to improve their digital skills
- many people feel there is a lack of information about learning opportunities and resources
This means that access to technology exists, but the ecosystem for learning and developing digital skills still needs systematic development.
A new grant for developing digital skills
To address this very issue, the Ukrainian Startup Fund received a grant under the European project Champions for the Digital Decade (C4DD). As part of the project, a national platform called StartAid Ukraine will be created, serving as a central hub of information about:
- digital skills training programs
- grants and funding opportunities
- job openings and career opportunities
- technology events
- resources for entrepreneurship development
The platform will be integrated with the European Digital Skills and Jobs Platform, which will make it possible to connect the Ukrainian ecosystem with the European one.
Who this initiative will help
The project is aimed at various groups that most need access to digital opportunities:
- students and young people
- entrepreneurs and startups
- veterans
- internally displaced persons
- small and medium-sized businesses
- educational institutions
The role of the Ukrainian Startup Fund
The Ukrainian Startup Fund acts as the coordinator of the national coalition StartAid Ukraine, which brings together:
- educational institutions
- businesses
- government bodies
- civil society organizations
Together, they will work on creating an ecosystem that will help:
- improve digital literacy
- develop human capital
- integrate Ukraine into the European digital space
Why this matters for Ukraine’s future
Digital skills are becoming the foundation of the modern economy. The level of digital literacy among the population affects:
- the country’s competitiveness
- the ability to create new technology companies
- citizens’ access to education, jobs, and public services
That is why the development of digital competencies is one of the key factors of economic growth. And the new grant project is another step toward making digital opportunities accessible to everyone in Ukraine.
