The CDTO Annual Forum annually brings together drivers of digital change in Ukraine. This year's forum became an important platform for discussing the main directions of implementing the Strategy for Digital Development of Innovations of Ukraine WINWIN, as well as expanding the powers of CDTO, which is acquiring a new role in innovation management.
«CDTOs are important drivers of digital change in Ukraine, contributing to the achievement of our mission — to build the most convenient digital state for citizens and technology businesses. Starting this year, we are expanding the powers of CDTOs, and now they will not only deal with digitalization, but also develop innovations. This is an opportunity to implement new breakthrough ideas, implement technologies, develop innovations in various areas, build partnerships and stimulate the development of the region. Also this year we have plans to develop the CDTO institute. We need to strengthen ministries, state bodies, develop regions and accelerate the implementation of changes.», — noted Mikhail Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Development of Education, Science and Technology - Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.
As of April 2025, there are 61 CDTOs operating in Ukraine: 17 in ministries, 29 in central executive bodies, and 15 in regional military administrations. And from now on, their role is much broader. The government has expanded the powers of CDTOs: now they are responsible not only for digital transformation, but also for the development of innovations. CDTOs will coordinate innovation projects, develop an innovation ecosystem in the state, and cooperate with business, scientific institutions, and education to jointly implement new technologies. This approach will help the state be flexible, effective, and ready for the challenges of the future.
«The approval of the Strategy for Digital Development of Innovations until 2030 launched a new stage — CDTOs have become not only drivers of digital transformation, but also strategic leaders of innovation. They have received expanded powers to develop and implement innovative solutions at all levels of public administration. Thanks to CDTO, we have already been able to make digital transformation effective and understandable for Ukrainians. Now we are implementing innovations together — for victory, recovery, new solutions, and a better quality of life.», — noted Valeria Ionan, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for European Integration.
The new powers of the CDTO will cover:
- Technological renewal of the defense sector
- Digital medicine, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment
- Alternative energy and energy efficiency
- Agricultural technologies
- High-tech transport, aircraft and shipbuilding
- Environmental innovations
- Production of new materials, nanotechnology
- Robotics, IT and AI
«"Today, digital transformation goes beyond technology - it becomes a way of strategic thinking and a tool for influencing key sectors of our economy. Expanding the powers of the CDTO is not only about new functions, but also about a new quality of innovation management. At the heart of this transformation are trust, partnership, and professional communities that work for results. We believe that together we can make Ukraine a state where innovations do not just appear, but systematically change people's lives for the better."», — noted Viktor Lyakh, President of the Eastern Europe Foundation.
The expansion of the CDTO's powers is one of the stages of implementing the WINWIN Innovation Digital Development Strategy. The strategy involves opening markets for technology businesses, building the most convenient digital state in the world, and forming an innovative economy. Innovations that underlie the WINWIN Strategy will serve as a tool for overcoming key social, economic, and technological challenges, contributing to sustainable development and increasing the country's competitiveness: strengthening defense capabilities through technology; restoring infrastructure focused on a green economy; improving the quality of life through medical and social innovations; developing education that meets the challenges of the modern world; attracting investment and creating new jobs.
We strive for Ukraine to become a country in 2030 where innovations shape the economy, guarantee national security, and contribute to global stability.
Three main stages on which the strategy and roadmap for the development of innovations in Ukraine are based:
1. Development of the innovation ecosystem and innovative entrepreneurship: creating infrastructure to support small and medium-sized businesses, developing regional and international clusters, and stimulating science parks, technology transfer, and commercialization of innovations. This will allow building a strong innovation ecosystem that can effectively support new ideas and enterprises.
2. Deregulation: creating favorable conditions for the development of innovations by facilitating bureaucratic processes and reducing administrative barriers. It is important to ensure favorable conditions for business, including access to financing, infrastructure, as well as protection of intellectual property rights. Such deregulation will allow for faster implementation of new technologies and attracting investments.
3. Prioritization of sectors: focusing on the most promising sectors for innovative changes, such as defense, medicine, energy, agriculture, transport, and ecology. This will allow for the most efficient use of resources for the development of technologies in key areas for the country.
In addition, the results of five years of regional digital transformation were presented during the forum. During this time:
- implemented 335 regional projects
- CDTO OVAs have been appointed in 15 regions, a digitalization unit has been established, and a regional program has been approved
- launched the portal Action.Digital Community with the functionality of updating and displaying the level of digital transformation of regions and communities of Ukraine. 1,100 out of 1,469 communities are involved in the work on the platform
CDTO also had the opportunity to get acquainted with the ecosystem of projects of the Ministry of Digital Economy and better understand the formats of interaction, in particular:
- upskilling and reskilling opportunities on the Diya.Osvita platform
- training programs for digital leaders from CDTO Campus
- support for small and medium-sized businesses through the opportunities of Diya.Business
- development of accessibility of services at the local and regional levels
- Implementation of Mriya in Ukrainian schools
The CDTO Annual Forum was organized by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the EGAP Program, implemented by the Eastern Europe Foundation with the support of Switzerland.