EU4Digital Facility has published a study report that maps and diagnoses the start-up ecosystem in the Eastern Partnership (EaP). Produced by the EU4Digital ICT Innovation stream, the report defines the concept of high-performing incubation, presents analysis of the current situation and provides recommendations for the development of associated support programmes in the partner countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The report is available online and feedback is invited.

A new collaboration aims to advance education in artificial intelligence (AI) in Armenia. The Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, headed by Minister Robert Khachatryan, and the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on 20 November 2023. Other goals of the memorandum are to foster collaboration between sectoral companies and the educational system, and to cultivate a generation of competitive and innovative specialists.

Digital has become central to everyday life in the Eastern Partnership (EaP), so a coordinated approach to strategic planning, policy and legislation alignment and investment are now crucial. This was the key message that emerged from the 5th annual meeting of the EU4Digital Steering Committee held online on 15 November 2023.

Human-centred needs and benefits must be kept in mind as we aim for digital transformation, agreed participants in the EU4Digital Digital Conference for the Eastern Partnership (EaP) on 14 November 2023. The event theme, ‘Digital strategic autonomy: leveraging digital technologies to empower societies and economies’, provided scope to explore how digital connectivity and newer technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) can unlock innovation in working towards resilient government, economy and society.

The Armenian national research and education network (NREN) ASNET-AM has become a 6-month ‘twin’ with its Malawian counterpart MAREN. As part of a pilot programme to exchange knowledge with and foster the development of emerging NRENs such as MAREN, the ‘EU4Digital: Connecting Research and Education Communities (EaPConnect)’ project partner ASNET-AM is providing knowledge and technical support in High Performance Computing and cyber-emergency response among other topics.

Registration is open for the 2023 Digital Conference for the Eastern Partnership. EU4Digital Facility is organising this online event at 10:00-12:00 CET on 14 November to highlight and support digital transformation in the Eastern partner countries. This year, the conference’s central theme is ‘Digital strategic autonomy: leveraging digital technologies to empower societies and economies’. Anyone interested in participating will be welcome: please sign up!

The activities of the EU4Digital Facility are driven by the needs of countries in the Eastern Partnership region—Armenia, Azerbaijan, Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. These activities are carried out in close cooperation with bilateral activities managed by EU Delegations as part of the EU-Eastern Partnership joint agenda. To maximise results during the EU4Digital Facility’s current, second phase, EU4Digital hosted a workshop in Brussels with key EU and Eastern partner country stakeholders on 18 October 2023. The meeting provided an opportunity for participants to review the project results, give feedback and explore how to accelerate the adoption of EU4Digital activities at national level.

On 8 November 2023, the European Commission recommended that the Council of the European Union opens EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and grants candidate country status to Georgia on the understanding that a number of steps are taken. The Commission also adopted the 2023 Enlargement Package, in which the progress of these countries was assessed for the first time.

Twelve Armenian start-ups got the chance to showcase their products during 'DigiTec23' on 13-15 October 2023. The Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia provided an exhibition pavilion where these startups displayed and met with event participants. All twelve start-ups are actively engaged in the Ministry's grant and state support initiatives.

High-tech and engineering companies are invited to apply for resident status in ‘Engineering City’, Armenia. Resident companies are encouraged to nurture and implement groundbreaking ideas, catering to both local and international markets, within a state-of-the-art infrastructure. The Engineering City initiative aims to foster the innovation ecosystem as part of the Government of Armenia’s Trade Promotion and Quality Infrastructure (TPQI) project to support sustainable growth, competitiveness and job creation.

The Cabinet of Ministers in the Republic of Moldova has approved the Digital Transformation Strategy for 2023-2030. The approval, in early September 2023, is a significant step as the strategy sets out a comprehensive vision for the country’s digital development. The strategy centres on alignment with the European integration agenda and focuses on citizens' needs.

The Surge Summit is a renowned event in the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) region, and resonates strongly with the EU4Digital Facility's objectives in promoting digital transformation and harmonisation in the Eastern Partnership countries. Dedicated to fostering connections and collaboration among emerging start-ups and investors, the 2023 Surge Summit in Tbilisi, Georgia on 5-7 September, allowed start-ups from various countries to present themselves to potential investors.