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Want to find out more about digital developments, future priorities and the policy agenda for Eastern partner countries? The EU4Digital Initiative is organising two events dedicated to the topic of digital transformation in the Eastern Partnership. On 14 November 2023, the Digital Conference for the Eastern Partnership will provide a space for wider discussion and anyone who is interested in participating will be welcome. On 15 November 2023, invited members of the EU4Digital Phase II Steering Committee will meet to discuss the flagship regional EU4Digital Initiative and projects.

To boost the performance and growth of the innovation and start-up incubation ecosystem in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region, EU4Digital Facility identified key priorities and shared them in two events. These online awareness sessions concluded intense study of Eastern partner start-up ecosystems’ performance, gaps and needs, which are detailed along with recommendations in a new report. Participants in the two events heard from regional ecosystem actors and learned the key findings of the study: Eastern partner countries should prioritise the empowerment of ecosystem builders and capacity building of incubators.

Representatives of government, business, consultancy and academic organisations gathered to discuss Georgia's economy and IT sector prospects at the 2023 Digital Transformation Forum in Tbilisi. The four-day event opened on 26 June 2023, organised by the Georgian ICT Cluster with the support of the USAID Economic Security Program.

Startups from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine met with representatives of the innovation ecosystem in France and the Eastern Partnership (EaP) at the event ‘Startup Bridge: East meets West’. EU4Digital Facility organised the ICT Innovation networking event in partnership with Expertise France. Held in Paris on 16 June 2023, the event was hosted by Wilco—an innovation accelerator dedicated to creating value for both startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Registration is open for two online events addressing the need to advance the performance of innovation incubators in the Eastern Partnership (EaP). The aim is to increase the success rate of converting ideas into sustainable companies. EU4Digital Facility is organising the events to raise awareness about funding and promoting the activities of innovation ecosystem builders to empower incubation. Held on 18 July and 9 August 2023, the complementary sessions will highlight the role of innovation ecosystem actors and their partnerships in delivering high-performing incubation services to startups. All interested parties are welcome to participate.

Ukraine’s vibrant startup community was well represented and highly visible on three significant occasions in mid-June – a UK parliamentary debate and major events Viva Tech and Tech Week. Among thousands of conference participants, they attracted the attention of a president, an award shortlisting, and meetings with potential investors.

To strengthen digital development and innovation in Moldova, representatives of the EU4Digital Facility and the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) visited the country on 14-16 June 2023. The visit provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and explore initiatives that are advancing the Republic of Moldova’s digital landscape.

Looking for news, resources and other information about digital transformation in the Eastern Partnership (EaP)? EU4Digital invites you to explore its newly relaunched website: https://eufordigital.eu/! With the relaunch, the EU4Digital Facility offers its large digital community updated content and an improved user experience.

EU4Digital Facility and European Commission DG NEAR representatives participated in the Moldova Digital Summit 2023 - The Future of Digital on 15-17 June 2023. The event was organised under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova and marked a new stage in the country’s digital transformation. Under the theme ‘Evolve towards our borderless future’, the summit aimed to re-position the ICT field on the regional economic map and build a new image of digital Moldova, with potential for sustainable development.

The Republic of Moldova has advanced the use of remote identification of customers, by improving legislation and launching the development of technological platforms. Recently, legislative amendments clarified the application of eKYC (electronic know your customer) in the financial sector. In addition, the e-Governance Agency launched a project to develop a multi-purpose eKYC technological platform. These changes will support proliferation of the digital economy infrastructure, online transactions and remote working in Moldova, and the development of online businesses, online financial services and digital public services.

A new innovation hub has opened in Cahul, Moldova, for anyone wishing to develop their digital skills and start a career in ICT. The Inotek Innovation Centre was launched on 17 May 2023, as part of the EU-funded ‘EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul’ project. It has been established in partnership with Bogdan Petriceicu Hașdeu State University in Cahul.