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).

Telecoms operators can apply to participate in an auction in August 2023, for introducing 5th generation (5G) internet technology in Georgia. The country’s regulatory authority for broadcasting and electronic communications, the Communications Commission announced the auction on 6 July. The deadline for applications is 28 July 2023 at 17:00 local time (GMT+4).

Over 4 million Ukrainian refugees have been registered across the European Union since 24 February 2022. In the face of this humanitarian crisis, telecom operators based in Ukraine and in the European Union share the conviction that displaced Ukrainians should continue to have affordable access to connectivity to stay in touch with family and friends and to access the Internet and reliable sources of information. An agreement between EU and Ukrainian telecom operators, supporting affordable or free roaming and international calls, was extended on 9 July 2023 for another year.

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.