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.

The State Customs Service of Ukraine and the Romanian Customs Authority have completed a successful eCustoms pilot to enhance the facilitation of trade. They tested the exchange of electronic data at the Porubne-Siret border crossing point during 19-26 June 2023. The successful cooperation was closely supported by the EU4Digital Facility, the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) and the Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD). EU4Digital organised a post-pilot conference on 7 July 2023 with all the parties, to conclude the pilot, discuss results and start planning the next steps.

Ukraine’s older citizens are improving their digital skills thanks to a new educational series. The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the series on the Osvita.diia platform in June 2023. Covering the fundamentals of computer literacy, the ‘Basic digital skills for the elegant age’ training is helping to reduce the digital divide within the country, making the results and benefits of digitalisation available to all citizens.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine are invited to apply for supported participation in the EU4Digital eCommerce consultations centre programme. Following the success of an initial collaboration between EU4Digital Facility and the International Trade Centre (ITC) to support these activities, the organisations are delighted to announce renewed cooperation. As a result, there is a new opportunity for 11 more Ukrainian companies to benefit from eCommerce training and consultations.

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.

EU4Digital Facility has visited the Ukraine-Romania border in preparation for the upcoming eCustoms pilot between the two countries. EU4Digital experts visited the border crossing point (BCP) between Siret in Romania and Porubne in Ukraine on 30-31 May 2023.

EU4Digital Facility launched its Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) acceleration activities at the end of May 2023. The DESI Accelerator one-day kick-off event raised awareness about the activity, its benefits, and plans for DESI implementation in the Eastern Partnership (EaP).